New York Yankee fans are reeling after the news that their beloved captain will be taking his final at bat in the 2014 MLB season.

In a lengthy Facebook post on Feb. 12, Derek Jeter announced that the 2014 MLB season would not only be his last as a Yankee, but overall.

"Last year was a tough one for me. As I suffered a bunch of injuries, I realized that some of the things that always came easily to me and were always fun had started to become a struggle. The one thing I always said to myself was that when baseball started to feel more like a job, it would be time to move forward," he wrote.

"So really it was months ago when I realized that this season would likely be my last. As I came to this conclusion and shared it with my friends and family, they all told me to hold off saying anything until I was absolutely 100% sure," he added. "And the thing is, I could not be more sure. I know it in my heart. The 2014 season will be my last year playing professional baseball."

His announcement signals the end of a career that remained largely untouched by scandal, despite his rising star power and profile.

Jeter was sidelined for much of 2013, playing just 17 games due to a broken ankle.

The 39-year-old shortstop joined the Yankees' roster in 1996, and by 2003 he was named team captain.

He enters his final season with 3,316 hits, ranking 10th on the all-time list. In his time with the Yankees, he has won five World Series rings.

If the team does not make the playoffs in the fall, his final game will be on Sept. 28 against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. His final home game is scheduled for Sept. 25.


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Derek jeter, New York Yankees