WHY WE LOVE JETER

Derek Sanderson Jeter will forever be the one New York Yankee that is larger than life to many of us. But not only now, but also in the future when I am an cranky old man and my grand kids are talking about Yankee legends. In this age of digital video, blogs, Internet and who knows what else, trust me, years after Derek Jeter retires, it will seem like he's still playing. He's an Icon, clean-cut and a role model to millions. Bigger than Mattingly in the 80's, Griffey Jr. in the 90's and Ichiro in the 2000's.

I remember when Jeet started in the minors and his name started popping up everywhere in 1993 and 1994. I remember my pal Mike and I going to every card show and grabbing any Jeter cards we could find. Usually, they were sold out. Sometimes we got 1. Sometimes we even bought one we already had. It didn't matter, the buzz around Jeet was huge and the Internet was just getting started. Plus, if you were a Yankee fan, it was magnified 10 fold.

Jeet's managed to be at the right place at the right time his entire career. He's also extremely talented and is probably the most heads-up baseball player ever. Instinctive play is an element most ballplayers don't utilize like Jeter does. He knows the play before it happens, and shows leadership on the field.

My favorite play? Damn, there are so many but for sure the flip home to get Jeremy Giambi...the playoffs, October 2001. He claims it's a play you rehearse in practice, but if you ask the players, no one ever does it. Instincts baby, he saw it coming. Incredible.
Second would have to be his heroic dive into the stands verses the Sox. I love a gritty, dirty uniform. Plus, blood shows you went the extra mile for your team and your fans. To me, that's a gamer, no doubt. The list goes on and on.
He's received Rookie of the Year award, 5 championship rings, he's been an All-Star 11 times and was even an All-Star MVP and the World Series MVP in 2000. (Jeet's the only player in history to do that by the way.) He even finally hit a grand slam in 2005 against the Cubs in inter league play. And I can keep going. The resume is monstrous.

While 2010 was disappointing, don't harp on it. Derek Jeter is not a quitter and I can point to every single player in baseball and find one crappy year. It happens. The beat writers are so quick to tell the world the Jeter's career is over. "He's old" or "He doesn't have it anymore". Ladies and Gentlemen, the truth is, he's fine...he's older but damn he's still got it. If you don't believe me, I'm sure he'll prove it in 2011.

I expect high numbers for Jeter this year. He's working with Long, he's always focused and his contract talks are behind him. I expect a .300 average. Home runs may be down a bit, I'll predict 11. If he leads off this year, I don't see him cracking 100 RBIs but the runs will obviously be up because of the lead off factor. If Gardy leads off, expect Jeet to reach 110 RBI's. That's just Jeter...he knows his role and adjusts.

Hey BYB freaks... Don't get down on the Captain. Jeet will be back stronger than ever. Jeet knows he has to, because that's the way George would want it.

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