( CNN ) -- Derek Jeter , who led the Yankees to five World Series titles during his first 19 seasons , announced Wednesday that he will retire at the end of the 2014 major league baseball season . `` I could not be more sure . I know it in my heart . The 2014 season will be my last year playing professional baseball , '' the Yankees captain and shortstop said in a note posted on his Facebook page . Jeter , who is 10th on the all-time hits leader list with 3.316 hits , missed most of the 2013 season because of ankle injury . `` I know they say that when you dream you eventually wake up . Well , for some reason , I 've never had to wake up . Not just because of my time as a New York Yankee but also because I am living my dream every single day , '' wrote Jeter , who was a 13-time all-star and the face of America 's most famous baseball franchise . USA Today baseball columnist Bob Nightengale said on Twitter that Jeter was `` one of the finest class acts in any sport . '' With his boyish good looks and ability to get base hits in clutch situations , Jeter charmed New York and led the Yankees resurgence from a franchise that had struggled in the early 1990s . He helped the Yankees to a World Series crown as a 22-year-old shortstop . `` In the 21-plus years in which I have served as commissioner , Major League Baseball has had no finer ambassador than Derek Jeter , '' Bud Selig said in a written statement . `` He is one of the most accomplished and memorable players of his -- or any -- era . '' Jeter , through his goodbye letter , said he wants to focus on new challenges like business , charitable work and starting a family . And finally having a summer vacation . The Yankees will begin the regular season on April 1 at Houston . CNN 's Jason Durand contributed to this report .
Bob Nightengale is 10th on the all-time hit list for major league baseball . He has played all one seasons for the Yankees , New York 's most famous baseball team . Jeter , 39 , was injured much of last year . He says 19 of the things he wants to do next is to start a family .