THE APPEAL OF DEREK JETER

(PHOTO: AP)
Derek Sanderson Jeter is not just another pretty boy. Yes, that heart-stopping smile of his, his devastating good looks, and princely charm, are all icing on the cake. But more than this, he is a hero, and he is our hero.

However, Derek doesn’t just belong to us. He belongs to baseball. Like it or not, when people see Derek Jeter play, they are seeing history happen in real time. He is baseball royalty, and true baseball fans recognize this. I’ve even spoken to Red Sox fans that have sworn me to secrecy about Derek. They tell me that they have the utmost respect for our Captain.

So what is it about Derek that makes him such an icon?

Derek Jeter embodies what baseball is really all about. His loyalty to his team is something that you don’t see anymore. He was born a Yankee, and will end his career as a Yankee. He knows this, we know this. He is a role model for other players on the team, in the league, and for young Little Leaguers that are being groomed for greatness in the game.

Baseball is not just about how many runs you can earn, how much money you can get in your contract, or even how many trophies you have. It’s a way of life, a frame of mind, and a level of sportsmanship that measures well beyond any statistic. Derek has the qualities of loyalty, sportsmanship, and respectability that have raised the bar quite high for others.

For fans, Derek is our royal son, the heir apparent to the throne once occupied by Babe Ruth. When he first stepped out onto the field wearing pinstripes, the angels at the House that Ruth Built nodded in approval. Not until then had there been a more qualified candidate to succeed the Babe, and we watched him grow, year after year, as if some divine intervention had plans for #2 that we all knew in our hearts would someday result in the greatness that he now effortlessly possesses.

I would be hard-pressed to find anyone who would argue with the fact that the new Yankee Stadium may someday be referred to as “The House that Jeter Built”.
(PHOTO: Getty)
The work that Derek does off the field is amazing as well. His “Turn 2” Foundation is much more than a “name-only” tax deduction. It’s a family mission, and Derek makes it clear to all that he truly cares about the cause. In fact, Bleeding Yankee Blue has placed it on it's Blog Roll because we find it to be a reputable and well organized charity.

Derek personally attends functions and interacts with the children that benefit from the cause of Turn 2. His giving is real, and you can see evidence of this every time he takes off a batting glove and gives it to a surprised and thrilled child in the stands. Derek cares for the kids, and those kids are the future of the game. Whether it’s a neighborhood game to the Little League World Series, the hopes of living up to Derek Jeter’s legacy is on all of their minds.

The appeal of Derek Jeter to his fans, and even those who aren’t, is a mysterious mix of dedication, fairness, respectability with a little sexy thrown into the recipe. The next time you hear Bob Sheppard’s voice announce “Now batting…#2, Derek Jeter” hold your breath, but keep your eyes open. It’s not every day that history is made, and you don’t want to miss it.


--Christy Lee, BYB Staff Writer





Check out Bronx Goblin for some more humor on Derek Jeter HERE.

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