WHY JETER WILL LEAD US

The Yankees against the Rangers, and as predicted, the Rangers are already talking trash about how they're going to beat the pinstripes and advance to the World Series. I have 2 words for you that will prove that it cannot happen like that: DEREK JETER.

Derek Jeter may have had a bad season at the plate but all indications are he is up to speed for the playoffs and about the lead his team to another World Series shot. After all he knows the playoffs better than anyone.... He's our captain and who else can we learn about winning from, than a man who has been in the playoffs every season since his career began, except 2008.

Jeter is our leader. Jeter knows how to win and knows how to motivate a team like no other. Look, early on, people took shots at him when he became Captain. They said he wasn't strong enough, not emotional enough and not a good leader. Well, look at him now. He helped lead his New York Yankees to a Championship (again) in 2009 and we're in the playoffs again in 2010.

Anyone in that clubhouse will tell you, you don't need loudness and emotion to lead a team... you leave that to the Swishers and the Burnetts of the group. Jeter plays it cool. And when he speaks, not yells... people listen. When he acts... people follow.

Friday night starts Game 1 of the ALCS in Texas. Sabathia verses Wilson who I said is beatable... and I'll stick with that. Wilson IS beatable and the Yankees CAN win this game. Pitching is key, smart hitting and running is key, but the most important key is Derek Sanderson Jeter. He's the first batter Wilson will see. He knows his job as leadoff and will do it better than anyone. It's funny... for years on the Yankees, they signed big time leadoff men to get their team quick runs and early confidence. Names like Tony Womack, Kenny Lofton, Johnny Damon, Curtis Granderson, they even tried Brett Gardner. In the end, they always go back to Derek. Why? I'll tell you why, because, while all those other great leadoff guys could get on base, Jeter makes sure he does, because he knows if he doesn't, he's let him team down. That's why he's still the leadoff guy. He has baseball smarts and knows that if he gets on, the rest of the team can rally, every time.

Jeter is the key Friday night and beyond in this playoffs. There is no other. Captain, my Captain, lead us to victory.

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