Derek Jeter has announced his retirement following the 2014 season.

Derek Jeter
Derek Jeter (Jim McIsaac, Getty Images)
loading...

The NY Yankees captain announced in a letter on his Facebook account that after a "tough" 2013 season filled with injuries, he realized that playing the game had become less fun and became a "struggle."

"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 percent sure."

Jeter writes that he came to the conclusion that "I could not be more sure. I know it in my heart. The 2014 season will be my last year playing professional baseball."

His agent, Casey Close, said Jeter wanted to declare his intentions before the Yankees start spring training later this week so that his future status wouldn't be a distraction.

A 13-time All-Star who has led the Yankees to five World Series championships, Jeter was limited to 17 games last season while trying to recover from a broken left ankle sustained in the 2012 playoffs.

Jeter is the Yankees' career hits leader with 3,316. He is a lifetime .312 hitter in 19 seasons, with 256 home runs and 1,261 RBIs. Jeter has scored 1,876 runs and stolen 348 bases. He also is a five-time Gold Glove winner. Last season, Jeter hit just .190 with one homer and seven RBIs.

Jeter has said he's fully ready for spring training this year and set to play. Jeter worked out at the Yankees' spring training complex on Wednesday and left around noon, giving no hint that he was about to announce his plans.

More coverage:

The Associated Press contributed to this report

 

More From New Jersey 101.5 FM