I love Derek Jeter

I love Derek Jeter. Not the leave-my-wife-and-kids-and-run-away-with-him kind of love. But a I-could-watch-him-play-all-day-and-feel-good-about-it kind of love.

It didn't used to be that way. I used to hate Derek Jeter. I hated the Yankees and Jeter represented everything I hated. Too good. Too perfect. Too ... too ... Yankee.

I hated how he jumped out of the way of an inside pitch even though I swear half the time the pitch was actually a strike. I hated how he stood on the top step of the dugout to greet a teammate because I was convinced he only did it to get on TV and have everyone say, "See what a good teammate Derek Jeter is?'' I hated how he would arrogantly pump his fist after a victory.

Then it all changed. Like any great love affair, I can't exactly tell you what it is that made me fall head over heals -- well, in a baseball sort of way -- with Jeter. It just happened. Suddenly, I just realized that we're watching one of the greatest players of all time. He can field, run, hit, hit in the clutch, lead. And, really when you think about it, he's a class act on the field, never showing anyone up or hot-dogging or loafing.

But, more importantly, he has been a class act off the field. Even though he's young, single and living in the Big Apple, you never hear any junk about him. He doesn't get drunk and start fights in nightclubs. He doesn't get caught going 95 in a 55 mph zone. He hasn't been in rehab. He doesn't have member of his entourage getting busted for carrying guns or any of that. I'm not even sure he has an entourage. Sure, he dates a ton of women, it seems, but he IS single and you never hear any of his former girlfriends trashing him in the tabloids.

Even though he plays for the most famous team in sports (at least in this country) you never hear any controversy. He doesn't run his teammates down to the media. He doesn't complain about the manager or the fans. He doesn't complain about anything, at least not publicly. Even during the days when there was an alleged feud between him and A-Rod, you never heard anything coming out of Jeter's mouth.

Then I realize all the obligations he has -- to the fans, to the media, to the league, to New York, to baseball in general. He handles it all with a smile. And with class. Jeter is one of the most recognizable athletes in the country, but he doesn't act like a big shot. In the end, you realize Jeter acts on and off the field like we would like to believe we would all act if we were lucky enough to play shortstop for the New York Yankees. He acts like you would like your son to act if he played professional baseball: with a passion, with success, with class. We should all love Derek Jeter. Even you, Red Sox Nation.

Comments

How odd that in the same page you cite and chide another New Yorker (Hillary Clinton) for flip flopping, here you are pulling the same.

Guess there must have been somethin extra in that plate of crow.

[Don]

I started to appreciate Derek Jeter after Cal Ripken finished his career. Considering that Derek has played his whole career in NY, it is refreshing to see someone who doesn't demain that his voice be on the sportspages everyday.

I appreciate your point and I too admire hima s a ball player. I'd rather see my son with a jersey that said Jeter instead of Vick!

[kevin]

Spring training game, 5-6 years ago.
Yankees vs. Phillies at the old Jack Russell.

It was early spring, so the stars might bat once and leave the game.

Jeter hit what should be a single into right centerfield. A routine hit between outfielders, average depth.

On such a play, outfielders are taught to drop-step, then take a rounded path toward the baseball. When they field the ball, they are in position to throw in rhythm to the proper base.

The Phillies outfielder had bad technique. He ran hard at a right angle toward the ball, then had to stop to get into throwing position.

Perhaps a stride from first base, Jeter saw the outfielder's flawed angle and he busted it for second, easily beating the throw.

In such an early spring game, nobody would have thought twice if Jeter stopped at first base. But he's a smart player and he plays as if that intelligence is a gift he must always honor.

[leidean]

I LOVE DEREK JETER! No and's, if's, or but's about it. He is an awesome team captain and an excellent player on the field. Go Derek!