61 Derek Jeter Quotes on Hard Work and Winning

Derek Jeter went from being a renowned professional baseball player to a successful businessman by always working hard. Read these 61 quotes to learn more about him and how hard he is willing to work to be the best.

Derek Jeter came from a family that played sports, with his father having played baseball. He joined the family tradition and started playing at five. At 18, the New York Yankees drafted him as their sixth overall pick, and he began as a shortstop.

He worked so hard that in two years, he had become the Most Valuable Player by the Florida State League. By 1996, he had bagged the Rookie of the Year Award. He constantly made history with the Yankees and was the only player to win the All-Star Game MVP title and the World Series MVP honor in the same year.

Read these 61 Derek Jeter quotes to know more about the baseball player who never gave up on his dreams.

Derek Jeter's quote: "If you're going to play at all, you're out to win. Baseball, board games, playing Jeopardy, I hate to lose." | Image: AmoDays

Derek Jeter Quotes on Winning and His Goals

"If you're going to win games, you're going to have to come up with the big hits. That's the bottom line." — Derek Jeter

"That's how you win – pitching and defense." — Derek Jeter

"You forget about it whether it was 15-2 or 3-2. It's still a loss. It doesn't matter what the score was if we win tomorrow." — Derek Jeter

"I think there's something wrong with me—I like to win in everything I do, regardless of what it is." — Derek Jeter

"I looked up to my parents because they were very successful in what they wanted to do. I was lucky; I didn't have to look far for role models." — Derek Jeter

Derek Jeter's quote: "I think there's something wrong with me—I like to win in everything I do, regardless of what it is." | Image: AmoDays

"Through time you learn from your experiences. I think I've learned to deal with people a little bit better over time. That, in particular, has developed a little bit." — Derek Jeter

"I'd like to get a degree. Have you ever seen the movie 'Back to School?' I'll go back with my kids." — Derek Jeter

"I've always had an interest in business, and my interest in business has really expanded over the years." — Derek Jeter

"I want to own a team one day. You know, that's my next goal." — Derek Jeter

"If you're going to play at all, you're out to win. Baseball, board games, playing Jeopardy, I hate to lose." — Derek Jeter

Derek Jeter's quote: "I want to own a team one day. You know, that's my next goal." | Image: AmoDays

"We just want to win. That's the bottom line. I think a lot of times people may become content with one championship or a little bit of success, but we don't really reflect on what we've done in the past. We focus on the present." — Derek Jeter

"My dreams do not end with playing Major League Baseball." — Derek Jeter

"My heroes, my dreams, and my future lay in Yankee Stadium. And they can't take that away from me." — Derek Jeter

"My office is at Yankee Stadium. Yes, dreams do come true." — Derek Jeter

"I have the greatest job in the world. Only one person can have it. You have shortstops on other teams—I'm not knocking other teams— but there's only one shortstop on the Yankees." — Derek Jeter

Derek Jeter's quote: "My dreams do not end with playing Major League Baseball." | Image: AmoDays

Derek Jeter Quotes That Will Inspire You to Work Hard and Never Give Up

"There may be people who have more talent than you, but there's no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do – and I believe that." — Derek Jeter

"I love it when people doubt me. It makes me work harder to prove them wrong." — Derek Jeter

"I'm not perfect; no one is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes. I think you try to learn from those mistakes." — Derek Jeter

"When you put a lot of hard work into one goal and you achieve it, that's a really good feeling." — Derek Jeter

"Surround yourself with good people. People who are going to be honest with you and look out for your best interests." — Derek Jeter

Derek Jeter's quote: "I love it when people doubt me. It makes me work harder to prove them wrong." | Image: AmoDays

"The last thing you want to do is finish playing or doing anything and wish you would have worked harder." — Derek Jeter

"It's never over. You don't want to be in the position to be down four runs in the ninth inning, but it's not over until the last out." — Derek Jeter

"So many people are insanely busy nowadays, and it's easy to say, 'Ah, I'll workout tomorrow.' But you have to set aside a time and stick to that schedule." — Derek Jeter

"You don't just accidentally show up in the World Series." — Derek Jeter

"I like to hit the gym early in the morning. I feel better throughout the day when I get in a workout first thing in the morning." — Derek Jeter

Derek Jeter's quote: "The last thing you want to do is finish playing or doing anything and wish you would have worked harder." | Image: AmoDays

"It doesn't take any talent to play hard." — Derek Jeter

"I think when things linger, that's when they become a distraction. I don't want any distractions." — Derek Jeter

"You're playing a game, whether it's Little League or Game 7 of the World Series. It's impossible to do well unless you're having a good time. People talk about pressure. Yeah, there's pressure. But I just look at it as fun." — Derek Jeter

"Any player that says they don't want to go to an All-Star Game is lying to you. It's something everyone wants to be a part of." — Derek Jeter

"I've never been an actor on Broadway, but it feels like you're on a stage when you play at Yankee Stadium. And that's the feeling I've always had." — Derek Jeter

Derek Jeter's quote: "I think when things linger, that's when they become a distraction. I don't want any distractions." | Image: AmoDays

"If I put my name on something, I'm going to be involved. I'm not just going to put my name on it and not pay attention." — Derek Jeter

"When I was younger, I was always taught not to make excuses." — Derek Jeter

"I wouldn't call myself great. The thing that I prided myself on in my career was consistency." — Derek Jeter

"You can't quantify everything a player does to win games." — Derek Jeter

"If you don't believe in yourself, why should anyone else believe in you? We can be our own best friends or our own worst enemies. I have always vowed to be my own best friend by exhibiting a positive attitude." — Derek Jeter

Derek Jeter's quote: "I wouldn't call myself great. The thing that I prided myself on in my career was consistency." | Image: AmoDays

"The longer you wait to decide what you want to do, the more time you're wasting. It's up to you to want something so badly that your passion shows through in your actions. Your actions, not your words, will do the shouting for you." — Derek Jeter

"I always take criticism as a challenge. It's the way I've always looked at it." — Derek Jeter

"Handle yourself like a professional on the field and you have one goal—and that's to win." — Derek Jeter

"The number one priority is playing baseball. There are so many people in New York trying to get you to do this and get you to do that, which is fine, but you have to take care of yourself." — Derek Jeter

"I hate the treadmill. I hate it. You really don't have to be on it that long, something like 20 or 30 minutes. It's all about getting your heart rate up." — Derek Jeter

Derek Jeter's quote: "I always take criticism as a challenge. It's the way I've always looked at it." | Image: AmoDays

"The thing that means the most to me is being remembered as a Yankee, because that's what I've always wanted to be, was to be a Yankee." — Derek Jeter

"My dad had been shortstop when he was in college, and you know, when you're a kid, you want to be just like your dad." — Derek Jeter

"The big difference for me is that, as I get older, I find it's a lot easier to stay in shape than it is to get back in shape." — Derek Jeter

Derek Jeter Quotes That Reveal His Personality

"I think everyone is ticklish. You just gotta find the right spots." — Derek Jeter

Derek Jeter's quote: "My dad had been shortstop when he was in college, and you know, when you're a kid, you want to be just like your dad." | Image: AmoDays

"You hear about women buying shoes? I buy DVDs. I definitely have a problem." — Derek Jeter

"I've been asked to sign a forehead." — Derek Jeter

"Not everybody's a baseball fan." — Derek Jeter

"I'm very, very competitive. If my grandmother asks to race me down the street, I'm going to try to beat her. And I'll probably enjoy it. Competitive to a fault, sometimes." — Derek Jeter

"I try to stay as private as possible; I know that's difficult, especially playing here in New York, but I will make an attempt at it." — Derek Jeter

Derek Jeter's quote: "You hear about women buying shoes? I buy DVDs. I definitely have a problem." | Image: AmoDays

"I get asked enough questions; I try not to ask too many questions." — Derek Jeter

"God, I hope I wear this jersey forever." — Derek Jeter

"You gotta have fun." — Derek Jeter

"During the off-season, I go to the movies almost every day." — Derek Jeter

"I've always been very aware of what I'm saying, but I'm also aware of what you're saying. I always want to make sure that my point is clear." — Derek Jeter

Derek Jeter's quote: "I try to stay as private as possible; I know that's difficult, especially playing here in New York, but I will make an attempt at it." | Image: AmoDays

"Kids are our future." — Derek Jeter

"When it was time for parent-teacher conferences, I remember that I was always embarrassed about what my parents would hear about me!" — Derek Jeter

"I've been playing baseball since I was five or six years old. I've been on a schedule, pretty much, since I was in eighth, ninth grade. I look forward to not doing that." — Derek Jeter

"There's feelings there, but I think I've just been pretty good at trying to hide my emotions throughout the years. I try to have the same demeanor each and every day." — Derek Jeter

Derek Jeter's quote: "Kids are our future." | Image: AmoDays

"I like to dance and sing when there's no one around, but, if I'm out, I'm really shy about it. So it takes a lot to get me going, but I enjoy being around music." — Derek Jeter

"Don't get me wrong; it's not like I didn't go out and have fun. But there's been a lot of players that come to New York and get caught up in the lifestyle, and before you know it, they're sent away to another team because it affects their performance." — Derek Jeter

"I've always been uncomfortable, so to speak, when the focus is on me." — Derek Jeter

Derek Jeter's quote: "I like to dance and sing when there's no one around, but, if I'm out, I'm really shy about it. So it takes a lot to get me going, but I enjoy being around music." | Image: AmoDays

Jeter retired in 2014, avoiding controversy throughout his career. Before his retirement, he had become a businessman and baseball executive.

He joined the Marlins as a CEO in 2017 but resigned after almost five years. In 2021, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, and barely a year later, he hinted that he might come out of retirement to play again.

Jeter has continuously done what it takes to succeed. If you are also ready to do what it takes to achieve your goals, then read these 86 fire quotes to motivate you.