His 17-game hitting streak--the longest by a New York Yankee rookie since Joe DiMaggio's in 1936--made 23-year-old shortstop Derek Jeter a major player in the team's 1996 World Series win. Not only did Jeter walk away with a World Series ring, he also was the unanimous choice for American League Rookie of the Year.

Was it a fluke? Most sportswriters would say no. Last year, the 6'3", 190 lb. young phenomenon beat the notorious sophomore jinx (although some would argue) and helped the Yankees reach the American League Eastern Division Championship series before being eliminated by the Cleveland Indians. Still not a bad encore for the fomer first round (sixth overall) draft pick from Kalamazoo, Michigan.

However, despite Jeter's baseball accomplishments, the focus seems to be directed more at this handsome athlete's looks than his athletic abilities. Since being selected last year as one of People magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People," Jeter has become the heartthrob of almost every teenage girl in the country. It's also been rumored that the very single Jeter has won a couple of hearts from some grown up women as well, namely Tyra Banks and most recently, Mariah Carey.

Naturally, Jeter's mass appeal has quickly attracted the gray suits of Madison Avenue, who have already begun tapping into this young star's marketability. On his 23rd birthday, there was a celebration on the corner of Houston and Wooster Streets in Manhattan where Jeter's new mural, sponsoring Fila, is proudly displayed. It was reported that nearly 200 people managed to show up and sing happy birthday on the busy street corner. Yet, despite his success, Jeter seems almost apologetic over his amazing popularity.

Rather than focus on all the women and personal praise, Jeter seems much more comfortable speaking about his newly formed foundation, "Turn 2," a program which will recognize young men and women who exhibit extraordinary leadership while spreading the message of drug and alcohol abuse prevention in their communities.

Currently Jeter is preparing to begin his third season as a New York Yankee. Whether the talented shortstop can continue to succeed on the field remains to be seen. But with a long line of models and Hollywood beauties lining up for the tall, dark and handsome superstar, who could blame Jeter if he drops a ball or two during the coming season....besides George Steinbrenner, of course.

Chaunce Hayden: What is it like having your boyhood dream come true?

Derek Jeter: That's something I don't really think you can put into words. I mean everyone has a dream--Mine happened to be playing baseball for the Yankees. When you have your dream come true it's very difficult to sit here and tell you how that feels. All I can tell you is that I'm living a dream everyday.

Do you ever ask yourself, "Why me?"

Not really, because I always thought it was going to happen. For me, it's all I knew. I was one of the very fortunate ones.

Was there ever a moment during the last three years when you felt that the reality of your dream didn't quite live up to expectations?

To be honest, the reality of it all is even better than what I dreamed! I always dreamed of playing in Yankee Stadium and playing shortstop and playing in a World Series. And to have it happen all in my first year is more than I ever could have hoped for. It just seems like everything is personified. It's like everything is so much better than I would have imaged. That's why it's so hard for me to try and explain myself. It's just greater than I ever could have believed.

There's no question that success happened extremely fast for you. With so much good fortune how do you keep yourself grounded?

Because baseball is a very humbling sport. You an be on top of the world one minute and at the bottom the next. It's like that day to day. It's the only sport where you can go out and have five hits one day and the next day you might do terribly. I think you have to take the good with the bad and you have to realize that it's not always going to be good.

Since playing for the New York Yankees, what is the one moment that stands out in your mind as the most memorable?

Winning the World Series, by far.

Has there been a moment you'd like to forget?

See, I got spoiled my first year. The year we won it all. But when we lost in the playoffs last year that was the worst feeling. I thought we had a team that was much better than the one that beat us. Other people might think something else but that's just how I feel. So it was very disappointing to me.

Last season sportswriters worried if you would be affected by the infamous sophomore jinx. Although you had your ups and downs you made it through the season pretty much unscathed. Are you now out of the woods or is there a third season jinx still yet to overcome?

I don't know. I'm sure the sportswriters will think of something. I try not to worry about it too much. I just try and go out and have fun.

The stress of playing for New York City is greater than playing for any other city, so much so that many players have cracked from the pressure. With that in mind do you ever panic on the field or get overwhelmed by the crowds?

Not at all. For me it's just a game. No matter how you look at it I just have fun. Yes, it's my job and career now but it's still just baseball. I have no fear of doing badly. I have no fear of failure at all. None whatsoever. I mean I've failed before and I'm going to fail again.

How do you manage to stay so unaffected by George Steinbrenner's 60,000-seat pressure cooker?

I don't know. I've just always been like that. I like big crowds. I like playing in front of people. I love New York and I love the fans.

Speaking of George Steinbrenner, I know the guy signs your check, but how do you really feel about him?

I think he gets a real bad rap in the papers. He is one of the reasons why I'm playing. He gave me the opportunity to play and he's been very supportive. He's been there for me during the good and the bad times. So I think a lot of times people read the paper and they automatically get down on George Steinbrenner. But I think you could ask every one of the players and they would tell you that he would do anything for them. He wants to win and he spends a lot of money to accomplish that. I don't have one bad thing to say about him.

I have to ask you if you've ever seen Steinbrenner parodied on "Seinfeld."

Yeah, I've seen it once in a while. I think it's pretty funny actually. But like I say, he's like any other owner. The guy just wants to win.

Last season many felt that Steinbrenner had lost his mind when he paid $12 million out to the unproven Japanese pitcher, Hideki Irabu. What were your first thoughts on that deal and how do you feel about it now?

He's obviously a good pitcher. I mean he pitched well at times and at other times he didn't pitch well. But I think any pitcher goes through that. He came into New York with a tremendous amount of pressure. I think more pressure than anyone who has ever come to New York in a while. So, I think he did all right. I also believe he'll do much better. I'm sure he'll help out the team this year.

Did you become friendly with him? Could you communicate with him on a friendly level?

Well, he had an interpreter last year so we could talk a little bit with him that way. But I have to admit it's very hard to communicate with him because he doesn't speak any English.

He has a reputation for being a serious competitor. Did you or anyone on the team play any practical jokes on him?

Oh yeah. We all messed around with him a little bit.

In recent years the game of baseball has been hurt by strikes and players moving from team to team. As a player are you able to step back and look at the game from a fan's perspective?

I think so. It wasn't too long ago I was a fan. I think the strike definitely hurt us. But I think that there is a group of young players that are post-strike players, so to speak. There are lots of young players who weren't around for the strike. But the players who did go on strike went on strike for us. For the younger players. But now we have a younger generation of players who I think are bringing back the fans. To be honest I think the Yankees being in the World Series helps out baseball. Because as far as I'm concerned the Yankees are baseball. So, I think the fans are starting to come back.

Many feel that the biggest problem with baseball today is that popular players bounce from team to team in search of the best payday. A good example of that is last year's Florida Marlins. Basically last year's Marlins don't exist anymore.

That was ridiculous! I've never seen anything like that before. That's a whole 'nother situation.

Speaking as a fan, I can tell you that sort of thing will destroy baseball.

Yeah, I don't know what to say about that. It's really bad.

What about yourself? Will you be a Yankee for your entire career or is money the most important issue for you?

I would like to be a Yankee for my entire career. I mean the economics of the game change so much. I mean I'm a big Don Mattingly, Kirby Puckett, and Cal Ripken fan. Those guys played for the same team for their whole careers. I would love to do the same thing. But I mean I could get traded tomorrow. But if it was up to me I would end my career with the Yankees.

Have you ever been to the Baseball Hall of Fame?

I was there when I was very young. I would love to go back because there are a lot of things that I don't remember. It's been a while but hopefully I'll be able to go back sometime soon.

What's your favorite baseball movie?

I think my favorite baseball movie is "Major League." That movie was pretty good.

Did you ever see the old time classic, "Pride of the Yankees," starring Gregory Peck?

Yeah, I saw it on one of our plane trips.

Did it make you feel different about wearing pinstripes?

Yeah, I grew up in the Yankee organization and I've always been a Yankee fan so I have a lot of knowledge about Yankee tradition. It's something that they take very seriously in the minor leagues. The Yankees always instill to its minor league players the tradition.

How is playing for the Yankees organization different than playing for other teams?

The Yankees have very specific rules, like keeping their pants washed and always being clean-shaven. The Yankees have a lot of tradtion and I'm always very aware of it. It's weird. I still get chills when I go out on the field at Yankee Stadium.

After People magazine selected you as one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world, what kind of reaction did you get from your teammates?

[Laughs] It seemed everything happened at one time! My first year in baseball and I won a World Series and I made "Rookie of the Year" and then was in a parade with three million people. There were all these accolades coming from everywhere. The People magazine "50 Most Beautiful People" issue was just another thing. It really became overwhelming. My teammates still tease me about it.

Do they keep the People photo of you hanging up in the locker room?

[Laughs] No, they didn't go that far!

I can't imagine having so many women wanting me the way they want you. And I do mean want.

Like I said, it's kind of overwhelming. I think so many women are interested in me becaue I'm the youngest playeron the team and I'm one of the few that's not married. Also, I believe that part of the reason for all the fuss is because people don't know what nationality I am. I mean I think they know now but before people didn't know if I was Spanish, white, black, Indian, etc. So I think I can relate to a lot of people. That definitely helps.

The gossip pages love writing about your love life.

[Smiles] Right.

All last season the big story was about your alleged on-again, off-again relationship with Mariah Carey. These days is it on or off?

See the thing is this, I've been linked with everyone! I don't know where some of this stuff comes from. They had me dating Tyra Banks for a while just because I happened to be sitting next to her at a basketball game. My dad was sitting next to me but the press made it sound like it was me and her together at the game. Some even said they saw us shopping together. But the truth is the only time I ever saw Tyra Banks was at that basketball game. Then the press had me with all kinds of people that I never met before.

Okay, but that doesn't answer my question. Are you or aren't you dating Mariah Carey?

I don't know why anyone would think that. Here's a perfect example. My mom was in New York for a bachelorette party and I was on the Yankee cruise. [Writer's note: The Yankees are required to participate in a promotional cruise where fans are given the opportunity to meet and greet the players.] While I was on the Yankee Cruise the press said they spotted me with her at one of her video shoots and that later that night we had a romantic dinner together. Now let me ask you, how can I do that if I'm down in the Caribbean? So take it for what it's worth. But I guess there could be worse rumors.

I should tell you the rumors don't just come from the press. Even some of your teammates were quoted as saying they were concerned when they heard that you and Mariah Carey were dating again because they felt it affected your concentration.

I don't think any of my teammates said that, but that's a whole 'nother thing. Either way, they don't have to worry about me. See, concentration would never be a problem because I have my priorties straight. My main goal is to do well at baseball. And I let nothing get in the way of that. Yes, I agree those types of outside distractions can hurt someone who doesn't have his priorties straight. But I think I'm the type where my parents have taught me very well. Baseball is my number one priority.

While we're talking about gossip and rumors, the New York Daily News embarrassed the Yankee organization when, hours after being eliminated in the playoffs, most of the team--including yourself--was shown partying into the early morning hours with a dozen or so strippers. Was that as bad as it appeared?

That was another made up story! We all went out together that night because some of the guys on the team weren't going to be back the next year and everyone was leaving the next day. So we said we would just hang out. There were maybe 15 people there. But before you know it the place got really crowded. But the papers made it sound like we were there with a bunch of strippers and that people were making out in corners of the bar. I mean I'm not denying that there were strippers at the party but they were dressed like my mom dresses. Like a normal person. I think the whole thing made us look bad but the team knows what really happened and what the truth is. However, I know people who read the papers are going to believe what they read. There's nothing I can do about that.

In the old days the media didn't write about what players did off the field. But of course those times have changed. Is it frustrating for you knowing that your life is constantly under a microscope?

If you're just going out to eat or whatever I don't think you have to keep looking over your shoulder wondering who's watching. If that was the case you wouldn't be able to live day to day. But of course you have to watch your behavior. I think I was brought up that way anyway. I watch what I do regardless. I think even more so now because people are watching me and actually I think your job starts off the field. No matter how you llok at it you're going to be a role model for someone. Little kids who want to play baseball are going to look up to me and therefore I try to represent myself in a respectful manner off the field as well as on.

Most people don't know that you do a lot of work with sick children. I also understand that you're very shy about the charity work that you do.

Like I said, it wasn't too long ago that I was a kid and as I said, I was a big Dave Winfield fan and he had a foundation for kids set up. So, one of things I always told my dad was that if I ever made it to the big leagues I would start my own foundation. And that's what I did. It's called Turn 2. I try to get kids away from abusing drugs and alcohol. I try to do what I can and I'm happy to say that right now the foundation is doing well.

Speaking of doing well, your million-dollar smile has Madison Avenue ad executives drooling to sign you up to endorsement deals. In fact last summer a giant mural of you endorsing Fila was put up on New York City's Houston Street. What thoughts went through your mind when you first saw it?

I first saw it on my birthday. It was one of the best birthday presents I ever got.

Did you see it as a statement that you really had made it?

Not really, [laughs] cause they can always paint over it!

When you go on dates do you make sure you drive by it once or twice?

I've been down there a few times but I don't drive there just to go look at it. But I would be lying if I said I don't look at it when I am down there.

If it was me I would make sure every date I went on was the restaurant across the street from the mural.

[Laughs] See, not me! I don't like that!

Has anyone approached you about a possible career in film or television?

Not really. I did "Seinfeld" with Bernie [Williams] one time. But that's pretty much it.

Are you interested?

I have no idea right now. All I want to do for now is play baseball.

There's talk of the Yankees leaving the Bronx and moving to New Jersey. Would playing in New Jersey make a difference to you?

Well, no disrespect to the people in New Jersey but I think the New York Yankees should be in New York! That's just what I think. I love Yankee Stadium and the Bronx Bombers tradition.

I have to admit that the Yankees playing in the Meadowlands seems almost sacrilegious.

Yeah, it would be really weird. But that's not to discredit New Jersey or the Meadowlands because it's a nice area. It just seems like the New York Yankees should be in New York.

Finally, if you were setting the odds in Vegas on what the Yankees' chances are to win the World Series this year what would those odds be?

I think we have a great chance. We have the core of our team back. We have Martinez, O'Neill, and Bernie [Williams]--unless they trade him of course--so we'll see. In baseball you have to be fortunate. Once you make it into the playoffs it all comes down to whoever is hot. Hopefully we'll be hot again.