Photo Credit: Corey Sipkin/New York Daily News
As Derek Jeter’s days as the starting shortstop for the New York Yankees are coming to an end, it is time to take a look at just how much of a loss baseball is really taking. Jeter represents every kid around the world with a dream. He grew up a Yankees fan in Pequannock, NJ, until his family moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan. Jeter still spent his summers in New Jersey visiting with his grandparents where he was able to watch his favorite team in a stadium that would eventually become a second home for him. He grew up idolizing Dave Winfield, an outfielder who player for the Yankees in the 1980s.
Let’s be honest, who doesn’t want to be Derek Jeter? He has dated some of the most beautiful women in the world while playing baseball in the greatest city in the entire world. He lives a true bachelor lifestyle with New York City as his playground. He has made millions upon millions of dollars throughout his career with countless endorsements from Nike, Gatorade, and many more. However, that is not the reason to love Jeter. Playing baseball during the steroid era, Jeter always stood out because he was never even linked to performance-enhancing drugs.
Derek Jeter has never been the center of a scandal, unlike the guy he has played next to for the past few years, Alex Rodriguez, who has become the poster child for some of the biggest scandals in baseball. He has never been seen in compromising position or been on the cover of tabloid magazines.
His dream was to play for the New York Yankees and that is exactly what he did. He represents hope that dreams can come true with lots of hard work and dedication. He has broken records and done it with style. He did not just achieve the 3,000 hits milestone, but he hit a home run for his 3,000th hit. When he played in big playoff games and World Series games, he always seemed to get a hit when his team needed it most. Known as “Mr. November”, no one has been able to replicate his success in clutch moments.
Jeter’s nephew, Jalen, tips his R2SPECT cap last night as he watched his uncle’s last game at Yankee Stadium.
Most of all though, he has always been humble. Despite winning five rings and being a part of the Yankees dynasty in the 1990s, he never acted like he was better than anyone. He always played like he was a rookie trying to earn his spot on a team. That is not to say he did not act like the leader of the team. He took his role as the captain very seriously. He always mentored young players on how to handle playing in the Big Apple. He always hustled to first base even when he knew it was a sure out. Baseball needs leaders like that; players who never give up on a play.
While his farewell tour has become more of an annoyance, even to Jeter himself at times, his impact on the sport has earned him the tour. His stats this season may not be the most impressive, but the Yankees as a whole have not been too impressive. For the second straight year it appears the Yankees will miss the playoffs and do not appear headed back anytime soon.
As Jeter’s baseball career comes to an end, so does a chapter in baseball. The last remaining member of the Yankees “Core 4”, Jeter leaves as one of the greatest to ever wear the pinstripes. Could his last game at Yankee Stadium have been any better? For the first time in seven years, Jeter come through in the clutch one final time and has the game wining hit. He was clutch one last time in front of a packed Yankee Stadium who had the captain in tears all night. He has won all the awards from unanimous Rookie of the Year to World Series MVP, however, his greatest accomplishment may have been being able to live out his childhood dreams.
