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Derek Jeter resigns as Marlins CEO, cites ‘different’ vision


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Derek Jeter resigns as Marlins CEO, cites 'different' vision

Derek Jeter, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in September as a player, resigned Monday from his role as CEO of the Miami Marlins. File Photo by Pat Benic/UPI | License Photo

MIAMI, Feb. 28 (UPI) — Baseball Hall of Famer Derek Jeter will step down from his role as CEO of the Miami Marlins due to a “different” vision for the future of the franchise, he announced Monday.

Jeter, 47, and New York venture capitalist Bruce Sherman led a group that purchased the Marlins for $1.2 billion from former owner Jeffrey Loria in 2017. Jeter bought a 4% stake of the franchise.

“Today, I am announcing that the Miami Marlins and I are officially ending our relationship and I will no longer serve as CEO nor as a shareholder in the club,” Jeter said in a news release.

“We had a vision five years ago to turn the Marlins franchise around, and as CEO, I have been proud to put my name and reputation on the line to make our plan a reality.

“Through hard work, trust and accountability, we transformed every aspect of the franchise, reshaping the workforce, and developing a long-term strategic plan for success.

“That said, the vision for the future of the franchise is different than the one I signed up to lead. Now is the right time for me to step aside as a new season begins.”

Sherman said in another news release that the team and Jeter “agreed” to officially end the relationship, thanked Jeter for his contributions and wished him luck in “his future endeavors.”

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“We have a deep bench of talent that will oversee both business and baseball decisions while we work to identify a new CEO to lead our franchise,” Sherman said.

“The ownership group is committed to keep investing in the future of the franchise — and we are determined to build a team that will return to the postseason and excite Marlins fans and the local community.”

Jeter thanked his family, the Marlins’ staff, fans, players and the Miami community in his statement. He also said the organization was “stronger today than it was five years ago.”

The 20-year MLB veteran, nicknamed “The Captain,” spent his entire career with the New York Yankees. Jeter hit .310 with 260 home runs and 358 stolen bases and won five World Series titles with the storied American League franchise.

The 14-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glove Award winner was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2020. His enshrinement ceremony, which was postponed due to COVID-19, was held Sept. 8 in Cooperstown, N.Y.

The Marlins went 67-95 and finished in fourth place last season in the National League East. They went 31-29 during the 2020 COVID-19-shortened MLB campaign, earning a playoff spot for the first time since 2003.

Marlins veteran infielder Miguel Rojas was one of several players to speak out in response to Jeter’s departure. He praised the former minority stake owner for his mentorship.

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“The integrity of this guy is one of the thing he showed me and stick out with me during the last four years, and even [though] I’m gonna miss him on my team, Derek was a great mentor to me and helped me to be a leader,” Rojas tweeted Monday.

“This is what leaders do.”

Minnesota Twins catcher and first baseman Mitch Garver tweeted that he “respects” Jeter for stepping down because the “organization doesn’t want to win.”

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor also wrote that he respects Jeter in a post Monday on his Instagram story.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, who is entangled in a league lockout because of team owners’ and players’ inability to complete a collective bargaining agreement, also released a statement on Jeter’s departure.

“On behalf of Major League Baseball, I thank Derek for his service to the Marlins, the communities of Miami and the game,” Manfred said. “Derek is a winner on and off the field. In addition to his valuable contributions as a front office executive, Derek was a highly respected voice on our diversity and competition committees.

“He helped build a talented front office with the Marlins, including moving the game forward by hiring women in top roles in the club’s baseball operations and executive leadership, and a foundation that has positioned the Marlins for long-term success.

“Derek is a pillar of our game and we look forward to his future contributions to baseball.”

Hall of Famer Derek Jeter speaks after being inducted into Major League Baseball’s Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., on Wednesday. Photo by Pat Benic/UPI | License Photo

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