Derek Jeter on Holiday Plans as a Family of 6 — and His Son's First Christmas: 'Best Time of Year' (Exclusive)

Derek Jeter.Photo:Todd Owyoung/NBC via GettyDerek Jeteris gearing up for the 2023 holiday season!While chatting with PEOPLE about aceremony to unveil new baseball and softball fields for young athletesat his alma mater,Kalamazoo Central High Schoolin Michigan, the famed athlete, 49, also opens up about his family’s upcomingChristmasplans.“The holiday season is probably one of the best times of the year because you see the excitement in their faces,” Jeter says, referring to his four kids: daughtersRiver Rose, 23 months,Story Grey, 4, andBella Raine, 6, plus sonKaius Green, 6 months — whom he shares with wifeHannah Davis Jeter.

Derek Jeter Remembers Kobe Bryant as Family Man Who 'Just Loved Being a Dad'

Derek Jeteris honoring his friend and fellow athleteKobe Bryant. In an emotional piece written for thePlayers’ Tribuneon Sunday, the soon-to-beBaseball Hall of Fame memberopened up about his friendship with Bryant, emphasizing that the late basketball star was afamily manfirst and foremost. “All I ever needed to know about Kobe Bryant was this: that throughout our friendship, the most meaningful conversations we had — they were always about family,” Jeter, 45, began the essay.

Derek Jeter Returns to Yankee Stadium for Old Timers’ Day

Derek Jeter attended the Tribeca Film Festival in June 2022.Photo:Noam Galai/Getty for Tribeca Festival Noam Galai/Getty for Tribeca Festival The champ is back! Derek Jeterreturned to Yankee Stadium on Saturday for the team’s Old Timers’ Day — and to celebrate their 1998 World Series win. It was Jeter’s first time attending the team’s annual reunion-style event, which honors retired players, and he was welcomed back to his former home with raucous applause.

Derek Jeter Reveals He and Wife Hannah Have Welcomed a Baby Boy: 'Welcome to the World Lil' Man'

Derek Jeternow has four little sluggers on his home team! Son Kaius Green Jeter was born on Friday, May 5, Jeter shared. “Welcome to the world lil man!!!@hannahbjeter,” he captioned the text announcement. Jeter also changed his Instagram bio to read, “Sleep-deprived father of four.” Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Derek Jeter Reveals He Wore Lucky 'Golden Thong' In Yankees Game to Break Hitting Slump

Photo: Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Images Derek Jeteris opening up about a very unusual secret to his success. “I once wore a thong in public in front of thousands of people,” Jeter read during theTrue Confessionalssegment of the show, where theTurn 2 Foundationfounder was asked to make a statement that could either be true or false. After a brief debate between hostJimmy Fallonand fellow guestRita Ora, who both said it must be a lie, Jeter confirmed the amazing news.