Derek Jeter didn’t have the physical attributes of a Cal Ripken, but we all remember him go into the hole, spin, leap and throw a dart to first base. He didn’t have the natural talent of Alex Rodriguez or the raw power of a Nomar Garciaparra, but there he was homering off Bobby Jones in the 2000 World Series sparking off baseball’s last championship three-peat. Lest we forget his homer in the early hours of November that brought joy to New Yorkers even as we searched for our dead amidst the rubble of the 9/11 attacks. He didn’t have the range of Omar Vizquel, but there was ‘The Flip’ against the A’s in the 2001 American League Division series which all but saved the Yankees season. There was also ‘The Dive’ against the Red Sox on July 1, 2004, in which he dove face first in the stands to catch a foul ball. Most players in that situation – a regular season game just before a three day break – lets the ball go foul.
But Derek Jeter isn’t just another player.
1996 Rookie Of The Year
2000 All-Star Game MVP
2000 World Series MVP
2000 Babe Ruth Award Winner
2009 Roberto Clemente Award Winner
4-time Silver Slugger Award Winner
5-time Gold Glove Winner
12-time All-Star
1st & ONLY Yankee to record 3,000 hits
5-time World Series Champion
Simply put, Derek Jeter is one of the best to ever put on a baseball uniform.
Sure, he has his share of haters. Recently, a poll taken with current Major League players rated Jeter as the #1 most overrated player. They’re just jealous, bitter shills. I’d be jealous too if I had to watch a skinny kid from Kalamazoo, Michigan with marquee looks do nothing but excel in every aspect of the game for the most celebrated franchise in sports – and doing it with enormous grace, dignity and class.
The hack writers keep bringing up that he’s aging. Guess what? We all are!
With an unconditional love for his family, the New York Yankees, his teammates and the fans, Derek Jeter is the model on how to succeed on the diamond, and also in life.
Oh Captain, our Captain…
Earl's Blog 