Before he became The Captain, before the five World Series rings, before the flip play, Mr. November, and the walk-off goodbye, Derek Jeter was just a quiet kid from Kalamazoo with a dream that sounded impossible—until he turned it into a blueprint.

This episode of Cardboard Credentials dives into the full, sweeping rise of Derek Jeter, centered on the iconic 1993 Topps #98 “Draft Pick” rookie card, the cardboard snapshot taken right before baseball’s most consistent superstar stepped into the spotlight.

We explore Jeter’s disciplined upbringing, the early minor-league struggles that nearly broke him, the 1996 breakthrough that redefined the Yankees, and the legendary postseason moments that cemented his legacy. From Rookie of the Year to franchise cornerstone, from the flip to Mr. November, from the captaincy to the unforgettable walk-off in his final home game—this is the complete story of how a teenager with a prophecy printed on cardboard became the heartbeat of an entire era.

The card introduced him.

The career immortalized him.

This is how Derek Jeter became The Captain.