When Derek Jeter expressed his profound love for the Yankees faithful, deeming them best: "They have high expectations"

Derek Jeter returned to Yankee Stadium for the first time in five years on September 9, 2022, when the Bombers honored him for his Hall of Fame induction and Yankee fans rose to their feet to show respect for the franchise legend.

In an interaction with Meredith Marakovits of the YES Network, he opened up on why he believes Yankee fans are the best.

“They have high expectations, I think that brings out the best in people. They watch, they pay attention. It means something to them, every game means something."

He remembers in 1998, he had won the division in April and he had a little bad streak at the end of the year. Further, he added:

"I’m walking down the streets and people are yelling at me telling me we better turn it around. We won 125 games that year.”

It was one of many memorable seasons in New York for Jeter, who came back to the Bronx in 2022 for the first time since he retired in 2014.

The fans had World Series aspirations for 2022 year’s group, despite struggling so badly since the All-Star break, but those aspirations are what separates Yankee fans from the rest.

Why do fans love Derek Jeter?

Derek Jeter has millions of fans. In his career with the Yankees, he has won the World Series five times, and in 2000 he became the only player in the history of the MLB to win the All-Star MVP and World Series MVP in the same season.

If one wants to know why Jeter is so well-known in New York, look no further than his last home game address at the Yankee Stadium.

In his post-game address, Derek said:

"We just wanted to take this moment to salute you, the greatest fans in the world."

Many players say this to their fans, but Derek Jeter, every day, every game, recognizes how fortunate he is to be a Yankee and expresses his gratitude to the fans.