JETER ISN'T ABOUT EGO. WRITE THAT DOWN.

There is one true reason why we love Derek Jeter as much as we do.  Sure, he's a star because he's a great athlete on the field, but he never makes it about himself.  He always makes it about his team.  This has been going on his entire career.  Since the moment he stepped onto the field in a Yankee uniform, he respected the game, the players around him, his team and the Yankees rich history.  It's because of his lack of ego that we fell in love and all these years later, even up to the moment that he arrived at his farewell tour, he didn't want to make it about him. That my friends is a fact.

What has happened this year, is that the Yankees and Major League Baseball have decided to give back, mildly, and not too intrusive to respect Derek's wishes this season... because, let's face it, Jeter isn't Alex Rodriguez... he's the Captain and he doesn't want the fuss.  He is however able to embrace it a bit and I'm glad he finally has.  In his last season, he deserves that fanfare and he's learned to open up a bit, as timid as he is. He's thanking the teams and the fans for appreciating him all these years and every single one of us loves the idea.  He's doing it again with class. For my kids and yours, he's the perfect role model in sports. He's embraced by everyone, except for Michael Gray of the New York Post, the sad creature he is...

Michael Gray wrote a piece titled Derek Jeter has made this season an ego-driven circus. I encourage you NOT to click on it. I will explain it to you and break it down paragraph by paragraph, because it's clear that Gray has no idea what he's writing about.  He has no idea the type of player Jeter is. He's not a baseball fan, he's a Mets fan and I guess him trying to be provocative would get him a readership for that trash.  But let me be clear, Gray's piece is irresponsible, pathetic and sad.  He's managed to tarnish a man's reputation without following him or understanding what Jeter was about all these years.  I had no idea you could get a job in journalism writing this garbage, but I guess people like Michael Gray have slipped through the cracks... pretty sad.

Here's a gem:

"If the team means more, why not wait until the All-Star break to alert the fans? Less parting gifts? "

That was in reference to when Jeter announced his retirement.  Mr. Gray, with all due respect, this is Derek Jeter we're talking about.  No time is a good time. He is loved by baseball, just not by you. Sorry you never had a big party in your life.

This is a good one:

"Jeter perhaps can not be blamed for all the hoopla on and off the field. But he’s not an innocent bystander, either.

In the second-to-last Subway Series game, Jeter came out for a pregame warmup with a video crew.

A cameraman furiously backpedaled while contorting his body to such an extreme to get that all-important low-angle shot — creating that larger than life “Jeterian” image of the captain taking the field.

Jeter began running sprints in left field as his video entourage was told by security guards it could not be on the playing field. So, rather than warm up on the infield, the Yankee shortstop had a soft toss in front of the visitors dugout, which gave total access to the filmmakers."

OK, just so you understand how this all works, let me break it down for you, champ.  Derek Jeter is an icon. With icons come documentaries. Plus, he works for the Yankees and there's something called the YES network, but your TV is stuck on SNY.  What the Yankees are doing is probably documenting his last season for their viewers.



Kind of like what HBO did when Jeter his 3000, or what FOX Sports 1 did at the end of April. Stories like Derek Jeter are a draw because he's an incredible role model.

Jeter didn't just cold-call a film crew to follow him around.  Are you serious, sir? You are implying something so off base, I can't even imagine you write for anyone in New York.

Look at this:

"How many balls will be signed this year and sold as collectibles? How many “the last season” pieces of memorabilia will be peddled? Yes, proceeds will go to Jeter’s foundation, a good cause, but the sheer volume of commercialism is crass."

OK, again, Jeter isn't soliciting donations for the Turn 2 Foundation. He's being given donations by teams who know Jeter doesn't need anything, doesn't want anything and would prefer you give to people who need it more. Hence, the Turn 2 Foundation.  It's a brilliant idea by the teams around the leagues. They respect Jeter's wishes and understand the importance of helping others.  I tip my cap.

Another:

"Full disclosure. I’m a lifelong Met fan..."

No kidding.  Here's more:

"I’m hoping the next gift Jeter picks up on the farewell tour is some of the humility that made the five-time champ so special to New Yorkers.

It’s only May, and it’s already getting ridiculous. How many times can we say goodbye?"

Well, why don't you call Bud Selig and the next group of teams the Yankees will be playing in their stadiums in the coming months.  Mr. Gray, you might be the only one in history to be cranky about Derek Jeter.  It's clear you hate him. It's clear, you are jealous. Who took your balloon as a kid... a Yankee fan?  This is more than Derek Jeter, this is personal and I feel bad for you... you're pretty pathetic.

How many times can we say good bye? Well, for you, alot. In fact, I encourage our readers to say goodbye to you, and NOT read you any longer.  You offered nothing but hate in your article about a true role model.

Why don't you do me a favor. Call my kid, the kid who loves watching Jeter play and who is sad he's retiring and you personally tell him to "get over it."  Why don't you personally tell him that Jeter isn't that special.  You want to crush a child's dreams? Tell him not to be like Derek.

 

(In Photo: Bill Kostroun)
You missed the entire point of this Jeter Farewell tour and you're way off base.  I suggest you disappear somewhere quick, because I have a hunch that Yankeeland will go after you full force.  You are uneducated in what this entire exercise is all about for Jeter, Yankeeland and baseball.  It's about playing the game with professionalism, sportsmanship and leadership, not just talent... and it's never been about ego, ever.

Go away...

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