On Wednesday, one of the all-time great Yankees (and one of the all-time greats period) will finally get inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.

How many of you remember way back in the day, when the great Derek Jeter had a nice little run playing ball right in our backyard.  I got chills when I saw the picture below (possibly as a teenager) of the Captain wearing an AC Yankees jersey with "Albany" proudly stitched across the chest.

It's crazy when you think about the things associated with Derek Jeter throughout his illustrious career with the New York Yankees. 

The Captain, #2, a million clutch hits, Mr. November, all the championships, unforgettable game-saving defensive gems, supermodels, superstar status, and now, baseball immortality as he is about to be officially inducted into the Hall Of Fame. 

What's even crazier, is that before any of that, he spent most of the summer of 1994 playing in our hometown and even celebrating his 20th birthday in the Capital Region.  Where does the time go?

This photograph is more than 27 years old and Jeter's whole life is ahead of him, but the only thing he's thinking about is following the next pitch, he's laser-focused, ready to strike if the ball is hit anywhere near him.

 

Derek Jeter will always be one of my all-time favorite Yankees.

Don Mattingly, Mike Pagliarulo, Paul O'Neill, and Derek Jeter...that's my list.  Shoutout to Albanyarchives on Instagram for digging it up and posting it and kudos to The Captain for giving this Yankee fan more incredible memories in two decades than most baseball teams have in the history of their entire franchise.

Respect

LOOK: 50 images of winning moments from sports history

Sometimes images are the best way to honor the figures we've lost. When tragedy swiftly reminds us that sports are far from the most consequential thing in life, we can still look back on an athlete's winning moment that felt larger than life, remaining grateful for their sacrifice on the court and bringing joy to millions.

Read on to explore the full collection of 50 images Stacker compiled showcasing various iconic winning moments in sports history. Covering achievements from a multitude of sports, these images represent stunning personal achievements, team championships, and athletic perseverance.

More From Q 105.7