Nice to see all the glowing tributes to Derek Jeter following his announcement that the upcoming 2014 season will be his last. Even happier to see that it will be without the circus sideshow distraction of Alex Rodriguez and his drama. 3 things come to mind in reflection of Jeters career. 1) Im no Yankee fan, but if you dont put Jeter in the top 25 ballplayers of all time, youre letting your Yankee-hater slip show and its clouding your sense of reason. 2) Jeter will finish in the top 10 all-time in runs scored and, should he get 199 hits this season, finish in the top FIVE all-time in hits...all the while doing so in such an unassuming way, the average baseball fan cant see what all the fuss is about. To me, THIS is the truest sign of greatness...to make great look understated, and Jeter personified this every day. 3) Perhaps most telling...in todays me me me MEEE sports environment, all Jeter wanted to do was WIN. There wasnt a single Im gonna get mine bone in the dudes body. Contrast that with his teammate at 3rd base, who personifies the exact opposite. Jeter is a Pros Pro...and you just cant do any better than that.
Posted on: Thu, 13 Feb 2014 12:24:01 +0000