Year of the Jeter

Derek Jeter became the first Yankee ever to be named Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year today. Jeter was obviously thrilled by the announcement. “It’s unbelievable. It was completely unexpected. It came out of the blue,” Jeter told The Associated Press during a break in the photo shoot. “When I heard it, what can you say? It’s one of the greatest honors you can achieve in sports.” Michael Phelps was last year’s Sportsman, for some perspective. The issue will hit newsstands on Wednesday. Gregory Heisler/SI