I'M NOT SURE I COULD PULL THESE OFF. COULD YOU?

I remember one Christmas when I was a kid, I received a suede vest. It was from a relative and not exactly my taste. It almost looked like a costume and for a while there, I tried to make it work, but I "just couldn't pull it off."

When I was alittle older, I received a mitt on my birthday. Ironically, the same Ron Guidry mitt that I fell in love with a few years later and still have to this day.

But at the time, I was really looking for something more exciting for my birthday and so I poo-pooed it. OK Mom and Dad? Now you know the true story. 

Look, gifts are tricky. Sometimes you don't truly know your audience, and over time, those gifts are discarded, re-gifted or, they become part of that person's life.  That brings me to last night in Houston.

Derek Jeter was honored by the Houston Astros.  It was the kick off to the farewell tour of our great Captain.  They gave him golf clubs, a cowboy hat and these cowboy boots that we personalized.

Now, no doubt when players get gifts, some they cherish, others they'll donate for a good cause but one thing they probably won't be doing, especially in this case... re-gift.  After all, those boots are personalized.  I mean, I'd like them on my mantle, but Jeter won't put them on his. My wife by the way, would NOT allow those on my mantle.  I'd need a man cave... that's another post for another time. But look, in comparison, when gifting for Mariano Rivera, it was way easier.

There was everything from a rocking chair made out of broken bats to the fond memory of Metallica playing his entrance music live at Yankee Stadium.  Over the years, everyone got to know Mo.  Many understood him and what he was all about.

 Let's be honest.  Jeet has never let us in. Hey, it's not a slap, he's clearly private, respect it.  It's going to be interesting this season when it comes to the gifts from the teams around major league baseball.  What will teams give the guy? Do they truly know him? What will the Yankees give him? A concert by Black Rob singing "Whoa" out in center? Will they retire his number? I mean, let's be honest, us fans love him, but we love his good looks, talent and leadership. We don't really know the guy and I'm not so sure the other teams do either.  I do know one thing, Jeter will be gracious and appreciative anyway and you gotta love that.

It's gonna be fun to see what happens this year. No question though, the Captain is the best, and honoring him will be a fun ride.

But back to those boots... I couldn't pull that off... I'm not even sure Jeter can. Could you?

Nice idea though.

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