Written by Ted Papadopoulos, Westchester County, NY. Follow Ted on Twitter @LeemanBrothaZ.
Thursday September 25, 10:16 p.m., Yankee Stadium, The Bronx.
Courtesy: huffingtonpost.com
A loud, thunderous roar erupted when the team’s 11th captain drove in the game-winning run 2 end his mystical career.
The fashion in which Derek Jeter went out as a Yankee shortstop—on his home turf, no less—was fitting, given his epical 20-year career.
The 14-time All-Star has 5 Championship Rings & 5 Gold Gloves.
He’s the Yankees’ all-time leader in hits and the only player 2 have earned an All-Star MVP and a Championship in the same season.
Jeter was a catalyst for Yankees’ success from 1996-2014, helping the club play in 158 postseason games, equivalent 2 an entire season!
He is the only player 2 ever have 200 hits in the postseason.
In a 20-year career he had only one meaningless, regular season game—when his team had been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs.
Jeter’s retirement marks the end of an era, an elite chapter in Yankee history. The end had a funeral-like feel. Even Jeter felt as “if [he had] died.” Perhaps it’s so. Jeter was the last of the “Core Four.”
Courtesy: quoteicons.com
Yet, remarkably, Jeter may be remembered more for his “intangibles.” At a time when baseball’s reputation had been damaged by “juiced-up” cheaters, Derek Jeter managed 2 always play the game the right way. He had enormous respect for the game, his teammates, and the fans. And showed it on and off the field.
Here’s what Jeter did “beyond the numbers”:
He’s living proof that hard-work, humbleness, and integrity pay off.
He played the game the right way.
He instilled optimism and brought back hope.
He was a true team-player, the way we’re taught 2 play as kids.
He inspired competitiveness in his teammates and opponents, alike.
He made the game enjoyable for everyone—those watching and playing.
He never made excuses about injury or failure.
He did all his talking on the field of play.
Courtesy: www.highsnobiety.com
Derek Jeter is a heck of a lot more than a future Hall-of-Famer. He is an American icon, a quintessential role model, who deserves every bit of respect and adulation that he has received.
He’ll always be an ambassador 2 the game.
“Captain Clutch”
#Re2pect
#FarewellCaptain
About the Author: Ted is an avid sports fan who appreciates excellence of all kinds, whether it being in sports, career, or intellect. His first notable publication was a satirical Wall Street-themed music video, “Greed Is Good,” which is about the 2007 housing crash. It created a genre known as ‘Banksta Rap.’
