Derek Jeter named SI Sportsman of the Year

NEW YORK, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- Sports Illustrated selected New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter as its Sportsman of the Year, the magazine announced Monday.

Jeter, 35, helped the Yankees to their 27th World Series title this year, the fifth the team has won in the 14 seasons that Jeter has been with New York. He is the first member of the team to be named Sportsman of the Year.

Jeter hit .334 -- third in the American League -- this season while passing Lou Gehrig to become the all-time franchise hits leader with 2,747. He was also voted the 2009 Robert Clemente Award, given to the player who combined outstanding play on the field with work in the community.

In 1996 he established the Turn 2 Foundation, which has given more than $10 million to groups who work to keep young people from alcohol and drugs.

"Derek Jeter has always presented himself with class; he does numerous good works for the community with his Turn 2 Foundation, which is one of the most efficient, effective foundations of its kind; and he's extremely generous with not just his money but with his time, which in many cases is more valuable. He also had another signature year on the field," said SI Group Editor Terry McDonell in the magazine's press release.