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Derek Jeter To Receive Honorary Doctorate From Siena College

NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) -- Just call him Dr. Jeter.

The Yankees' captain and shortstop Derek Jeter will receive an honorary doctorate from Siena during its May 13 commencement.

Siena, in Loudonville, N.Y., says it chose to give the degree to Jeter "in recognition of his leadership, accomplishments on the baseball field and dedication to improving the lives of young people through his Turn 2 Foundation."

"It means a lot to me, it means a lot to my family for a lot of the work that we've done,' Jeter said Monday night before the Yankees hosted the Minnesota Twins.

The honorary degree will be Jeter's first. His foundation works to promote healthy lifestyles among children.

Jeter never attended college. He was offered a scholarship to the University of Michigan but was drafted in the first round by the Yankees after graduating from Kalamazoo Central High School.

He said he probably would've been a business major of some kind, but said with a laugh, "You don't have to declare your major until after the first two years, so I've got quite some time."

The Yankees play Seattle on May 13, so Jeter is planning to have a video message played at the ceremony. His sister, Sharlee Jeter, president of the Turn 2 Foundation, will accept on his behalf.

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(TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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