Derek Jeter may have officially parted ways with New York but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t still have an appreciation for the Empire State of Mind.
The MLB legend, 51, enjoyed 20 decorated years in the Big Apple, spending his entire baseball career in pinstripes and winning five World Series titles with the New York Yankees.
But over a decade on from bowing out in The Bronx, Jeter – aside from his legacy – no longer has any ties to the city, having fled down south to the Sunshine State to raise his family in Florida.
Yet, while the glorious sunshine and mild winters may be far more preferable than the bitter, blustery temperatures of New York, he admitted there was one crucial thing he missed from his time as a Bronx Bomber.
‘Fans. I miss the fans,’ Jeter told The Daily Mail at the Reserve Cup Miami 2026, a major padel tournament hosted by 50 Cent and presented by Hard Rock Bet.
‘No disrespect to any other fanbase in the country, but I think NY fans, Yankee fans, are the greatest fans in the world. They pay attention – it means something to them and they watch all the time. They’re very knowledgeable, they’re vocal, they’re supportive, so I miss the fans.’
MLB legend Derek Jeter spent 20 decorated seasons with the New York Yankees
The former shortstop is pictured with his wife Hannah Davis at the 2016 Met Gala
The Yankees icon admitted to The Daily Mail that he misses the New York fanbase the most
Jeter parted ways with his last holding in the state two years ago when he finally bid farewell to his ‘castle’ in the idyllic, quaint town of Greenwood Lake, roughly 50 miles from Manhattan.
The 14-time All-Star first listed the lavish property for an eye-watering $14.75 million. He even put it on the auction block in 2022 to no avail.
The baseball icon finally managed to shift the sprawling mansion in 2024 after putting it back on the market for a slimmed down $6.3m.
The almost 9,000-square-foot medieval-looking home earned the nickname ‘The Castle’ thanks to its imposing tower and battlements.
The Greenwood Lake home six bedrooms and 12 bathrooms as well as a guest house, perfect for a family.
Despite its historic stone exterior, the inside of the property had a contemporary and homely feel, boasting two kitchens, a sunroom, an office, a game room, a formal dining room, an office, and a family room with a bar.
It even featured a baseball diamond-shaped infinity pool, a boat house, dock and even nearly 700 feet of shoreline.
Jeter took ownership of the property in the early 2000s from the Tiedemann family trust. His grandfather, William Connors, lived on the property after he was adopted by John and Julia Tiedemann, who bought the site in 1952.
Jeter is pictured with 50 Cent and billionaire Wayne Boich at the Reserve Cup Opening Night
Jeter sold his ‘castle’ property in upstate New York in 2024 after years on the market
The Greenwood Lake home six bedrooms and 12 bathrooms as well as a guest house
The sprawling property boasted two kitchens, a sunroom, an office, a game room, a formal dining room, an office, and a family room with a bar
The Yankees icon is said to have spent his summers on the property but after fleeing the Big Apple, he now spends his time chasing his own children away from the iconic skyscrapers of the city.
And the former shortstop offered a rare glimpse into his family life with his four children in Florida.
Jeter may have retired in 2014 but he revealed that he still manages to stay in shape – and his methods can give batting practice a run for its money.
‘I chase four kids. 8, 7, 4, and 2 [years old], so I’m all over the place,’ he told The Daily Mail when asked about his fitness regime.
‘That’s my fitness. They put me to work, like an octopus. I don’t want to say it’s tougher [than being on the Yankees], it’s much more enjoyable, and I absolutely love it.’
Jeter married his wife, former Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model Hannah Davis Jeter, in 2016 after meeting in 2012.
The couple now share four children – daughters Bella Raine, 8, Story Grey, 6, River Rose, 4, and son, Kaius, whom they welcomed in May 2023.
Jeter and his wife have tried to raise their children out of the spotlight, rarely sharing details of their private life.
Jeter and his wife share daughters Bella Raine, 8, Story Grey, 6, River Rose, 4, and son, Kaius
The 14-time All-Star poses with Boich and actor Mark Wahlberg ahead of the padel tournament
While the four kids weren’t around to witness their dad’s impressive career with the Yankees, they’ve championed Jeter in the milestones that have happened since, including his retirement and Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Meanwhile, while Jeter may no longer be slugging it on the diamond, he still keeps one foot in the sporting world.
During the baseball season, Jeter serves as one of Fox’s lead MLB analysts, joining the panel in 2023.
Until the first pitch of the 2026 season gets underway in March, Jeter has been keeping himself busy with a different type of bat and ball.
Jeter will face off against Golden Sate Warriors star Jimmy Butler as a team captain for the Reserve Cup Miami, a world-class padel tournament, with Team Jeter vs. Team Butler that takes place from January 22-24 in Miami, Florida.