Thurman Munson, who was an autograph of the week during the 2000 season, once said, "Maybe they made me captain because I've been here so long. If I'm supposed to be captain by example, then I'll be a terrible captain."

On May 25, 1922, Babe Ruth lost the captaincy of the Yankees, was suspended from the game, and fined $200 by Ban Johnson. During the game, which was played versus the Senators at the Polo Grounds, Ruth was thrown out at second base by an outfielder. Ruth disagreed with the call and threw dirt into the face of umpire George Hildebrand who promptly ejected Ruth. On the way to the dugout, a fan called Ruth a "lowdown bum and other names that got me mad" so he attacked the fan in the stands as well.

George Steinbrenner said, "I have always been very, very careful about giving such a responsibility (Captain of the New York Yankees) to one of my players, but I can not think of a single player that I have ever had who is more deserving of this honor than Derek Jeter. He is a young man of great character and has shown great leadership qualities. He believes, as I do, what General (Douglas) MacArthur said, that 'there is no substitute for victory.' To him, and to me, it's second only to breathing."