SOME GUYS YOU DON'T BET AGAINST

If you listen close you can hear the whispers. Listen. Do you hear that? They’re faint and you might miss them under the heartfelt cheers and well wishes showering Derek Jeter each time he steps foot on the field. Spring Training crowds at “The Boss” and around the Grapefruit League are taking every chance they can to catch The Captain one last time…but as the old  saying goes, “Your fans are in the streets and your critics are in the weeds.”  And there are some already reading Jeter his last rights…softly.

It is true that this spring has been an ugly one offensively for the Yankees’ 40 yr old shortstop.  He really has to rebuild it all from the ground up. Once the ankle mended and he was able to get his legs under him again, Derek needed to play catch up after basically missing an entire season. This would be a tough task for a 26-year-old coming into his prime, and unfortunately for Jeter and the Yankee faithful…Jeet is the Big 4 0 in June. Did you hear that? The whispers were joined by snickers…probably folks from Boston. Figures.

Joe Girardi and others in the New York ranks have deflected any and all “Are you concerned about Jeter” questions. They may be doing it out of respect, but I think they know that there are just some guys you NEVER bet against. Derek Jeter is one of those players.

I grew up emulating San Francisco 49ers’ legend Joe Montana…which caused me some abuse living in the Tri-State area. My Dad has always been my coach, and at an early age he told me to model my game after Joe. He wasn’t the biggest. He wasn’t overwhelmingly fast and didn’t have an arm like Marino or Elway…but Joe knew how to win. He took the frame and physical attributes he was born with and made the most out of them.

He was also a Patton-like field general. He instilled confidence in his teammates and made the entire unit better just taking the field. In my opinion he was the best ever to play the position. It’s up for debate I know, but what is not is the FACT that you could NEVER count Montana out. Even when the Niners pushed him off to Kansas City Joe still showed them and Steve Young that he was still the man and that 8 was only half of 16.

There have been others cut from this same cloth. They never let up. Even in the face of Father Time these players always come through in the end. I don’t care if you are in the sad, delusional sect that calls Jeter overrated or chose not to like him outright. I don’t care if you are an absolute Hall of Fame naysayer and clown like Skip Bayless. You can’t take it away from Mr. Jeter. He is special. A once in a lifetime type winner and this season he WILL show up. Bank on it.

As the Yankees get ready to break camp, Derek Jeter’s last, you can almost hear a powerful John Williams movie soundtrack starting to build. It haunts you like the lone French horn in the intro to “Superman”.


The season will be memorable for sure, but I think it will be more than that. On the day he captured his 3,000th hit (a dinger by the way) he also went 5 for 5. He mentioned that he couldn’t have scripted that way. But think about it, could it have been any other way for “#2 From Kalamazoo”?

Jeter, like Montana, isn’t the strongest. His entire career he’s heard that there were better shortstops all around him (Miggy Tejada in Oakland, “No Mah” in Boston and that suspended guy that played next to him at 3rd). But ask yourself, would they have been there to flip the ball to Jorgie in time to tag Jeremy Giambi? Would they have thrown themselves into the stands for a pop fly against the Sox? Would they have sent a rocket over the right field wall as the clock struck November in 2001.  I can’t say for sure, they were all great players, but I’m leaning towards a big ol' NOPE.

What will Jeter’s numbers be at the end of the 2014 season? I couldn’t say. Will he go out hitting over .300 with a Gold Glove and World Series Title? Well, it’s Derek Jeter, it might seem impossible to those whispering in the weeds, but for those of us cheering him in the streets, we just won’t bet against it.

 

--Mike O'Hara, MLB Fan Cave Host, Season 1
   Twitter: @mikeyoh21
"Paulie was always my favorite player."



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THERE'S NO ONE BETTER THAN DEREK JETER

Derek Jeter didn't die.  If he did, that would be a tragedy.  When news broke today about Derek Sanderson Jeter retiring after the 2014 season, it almost had a "Where were you when JFK died?" feel.  Why?  I mean, we all saw this coming, didn't we? Am I the only one NOT surprised?  Jeet is going to be 40 this year, he's old... and when I say old, I mean, younger than me. The point is, Derek Jeter has played the game smarter and harder and with more guts than thousands of players out there before him... and he did it with class... not with ego and not by being conceded.

Jeter has led his team to 5 championships, he's no slouch. Sure, you can tell me that his fielding has declined over the years, and sure, maybe he lost a step, but how about you try doing it for 162 games a season for 19 years.  People get older,  people get slower and people, be it my father, the mailman or even Derek Jeter, need to realize that sometimes they can't give it all in their profession anymore. That's what retirement is for. It's not because they don't want to. It's because they just can't perform the same any longer.  It's not the end though... for Jeter... it's the beginning.

"The Derek Jeter Farewell Tour" has been announced... and while no one used that title or has made it official, it's clear that that is what is happening right now. Let's not forget that we have a full season of Derek Jeter baseball to look forward to. We'll also have a playoff and a World Series to win. That's what you say if you believe we can! And why not? Why not make our goal to win it all this year, the year of Derek Jeter? After all, it seems like everything the Captain has done all these years turns to gold anyway, right?.  Is it so far fetched?  He was the Rookie of the Year in 1996 and that started it all.

5 World Championships. The MVP of the 2000 World Series. He's a 13 time All-Star and he a gold-glover and he's a member of the 3000 hit club and he's done it with class every step of the way.  Anyone who knows him loves him. Everyone who's seen him play wants to be him. Even today, ironically, on a day that we released our interview with Clay Rapada, (Read EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: CLAY RAPADA), even Clay said of Jeet: "He will go down as one of my top favorite teammates."

The point is, this is a celebration right now. It's a celebration of a great man who has given his heart and soul to this club.  Homegrown, dedicated and worshipped by us all.  He is the definition of what a Yankee is, and once he retires, he'll go to Cooperstown, with no issues or argument, because he is a true professional who respects the game.

That's right, it's a celebration, not a tragedy and we should all applaud this great man for his efforts all these years.  We are very lucky to witness greatness like this.

It's funny, I remember when my wife and I started dating and a young man named Jeter was playing with our club.  Now, 19 years later, he's finishing his final season with 5 championships under his belt and a whole Yankeeland world around him.  If there was ever a role model you wanted your son or daughter to look up to, it's him.  I wrote about Derek extensively when we all were anticipating his return last spring.  Luckily for me and Bleeding Yankee Blue, USA Today published my story.  It was called "THE JETER EFFECT: Is the future Hall of Famer a case study in loyalty marketing?"

In it, I wrote the following:

"I think about the way Jeter carries himself on and off the field. He’s a role model to my children—probably yours, too. I think about the way he understands what it means to be a Yankee: The responsibility to be better than the average ballplayer—on and off the field. Why, you ask? Well the answer is simple: He wears the pinstripes; he has to be better. And that’s why we love him. He’s been loyal to us, and we’re loyal to him."

It comes down to loyalty, doesn't it? It comes down to respect.  Respect the game, it respects you. Respect the fans, the fans flock to you. Know your surroundings and appreciate all you have... never take it for granted.  One thing I know about Derek is this; he gets it. There have been many ballplayers before him and after him that have worn pinstripes in the Bronx, but Derek gets it and it's natural to him...more than the others. 

I have always had favorites and people that I've admired. It's funny, but my heroes are usually athletes. Of course, my parents are pretty incredible people too and I appreciate how they taught me about drive and character. But I was a fan of John Elway, Rickey Henderson, Ron Guidry and Jorge Posada as well.  They played their game hard every day and never took no for an answer. That in turn allowed me to see the world bigger.  Baseball and life are parallel and if you treat life as baseball, you can solve problems, work hard, prove your worth and even enjoy it once in a while. With the drive and determination I learned, these people in my life became great leaders and role models.  And then there's Derek Jeter...

"He’s a true leader—a captain in every sense of the word. As we move forward together as fans of Yankees—fans of baseball in general—we should cherish every at bat, every tip of the cap, because he’s rewarded us so much. Not because he has to, but because he wants to."

Celebrate 2014 ladies and gentlemen... It's going to be amazing....

Let's Go Yankees!

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"I JUST NEEDED SOMEONE TO GIVE ME A CHANCE."

There have been champions that have coasted through a career.  Then, there is Russell Wilson, the quarterback of the Seattle Seahawks.

I'm not looking to convert BYB into a football site.  I'm merely praising excellence on the field. Be it baseball or football or badminton. Passion, determination and opportunity knocks. And it knocked tonight in East Rutherford for a young man who was given a shot and ran with it and defeated a more qualified Peyton Manning in Super Bowl 48.

I'm a fan of the underdog, but I'm also a fan of the believer. Read ROOTING FOR THE BELIEVER for more on that.  Don't gloss over that link... read it... you'll learn something.

Again, I'm a fan of the believer. That's not to say that the Seahawks or Wilson were underdogs in this scenario.  After all, when you look at the tale of the tape, Peyton had the experience...so it almost seemed like an obvious choice for him to win. But when push came to shove, the kid put it out there, and Peyton choked... plain and simple.

Being interviewed by Howie Long in the pregame, Wilson said something  that stuck with me. He said, "I was a 5 level quarterback, and I just needed someone to give me a chance."  Yup, I've seen that a lot in my lifetime.  "Being given a chance" is never a "popular" choice.  Coaches want a "sure thing" in sports and so, they give players that they "know can do it" the opportunity to shine, where as others, fall by the waste side.  Russell Wilson was given a chance, and I applaud the coaches that saw the potential in his grit and heart. They are smiling right now... they rolled the dice.

So, why am I writing this? Because I love opportunity... and I love when the lesser does more.

Now look, you need to know where my heart was in this game. I am a Broncos fan by default. John Elway was a New York Yankee once, before he was a Denver Bronco...  and because of that, I supported Elway until he won a Superbowl and then retired.

Now, years later, the Broncos made it back, this time led by Peyton Manning, the brother or 2 time Superbowl champ Eli Manning. The synergy was there... Yankees, Broncos, NY Eli... and Peyton.

There is no better script if you were me. The difference however, is when the underdog is on the other side and opportunity knocks... Well, you then need to look deep into the eyes and heart of the guy who is "given a shot." Russell Wilson was given a shot. Russell Wilson lead the Seahawks to a Super Bowl Championship.

Now, you can look at this post and be puzzled. "Has Casey gone mad? This is a Yankees baseball site... what gives?" Heart gives.  I love the guy that no one thinks about.  I love the thrill of victory, stealth like, especially if it's warranted, yet ignored.  There was something amazing about tonight's Super Bowl, that, while I hated it, still loved the thrill. It was glorious.

Believing in yourself is half the battle. Executing is the other.  Sure, if you think you can do it, I think that that is the biggest gift you can ever give yourself.  But being there, doing what you are set out to do and winning it all, be it the World Series, the Super Bowl. the presidency... whatever... that my friends, is the true thrill of victory... and something no one can ever take away.

Congrats to Russell Wilson and the Seahawks. Congrats to the underdog, the believer, the achiever, the ignored... the man who just wants and needs a chance... and is given it to win Super Bowl 48. You lead by example, I applaud you. 

Champions come in all shapes and sizes, and Wilson proved that in his moment... do it in your moment... become a champion...

Thank you to all the Bleeding Yankee Blue readers for continued success.  You've made BYB the fastest growing Yankees fan site in the history of Yankees fandom.  Thanks for reading, sharing and enjoying. Follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue (Official) on Facebook, just type it in.

THE JETER JERSEY CRAZE SHOULD SHOCK NO ONE

When I was a kid, I worshiped Ron Guidry and then Rickey Henderson. I was a kid, a lefty with speed so those 2 guys were my idols. I had a Ron Guidry mitt that I still own and I remember I saw Rickey Henderson wear white cleats with the Athletics.

I insisted my mom buy me them for Little League. That never happened so I just wore my black Zipps and went for it. I never owned a jersey or shirt though. It wasn't until I was older and Don Mattingly was a superstar with the Yankees that I owned a T-Shirt with a #23 on the front and Yankees across the back shoulders that it was close enough to the real thing. I don't remember Jersey's being as big as they are now.

Today, my 10 year old has a bunch; CC Sabathia, Tim Tebow, the Manning brothers, forget it, he even has a Dennis Rodman one that I think was given to him as a hand me down. The point is, they're everywhere.

It was reported earlier in the week that Derek Jeter's Jersey is the most selling baseball jersey since July, read about it HERE. It doesn't surprise me, in fact, it makes me very happy. The Captain is the great role model for any kid, or adult to have. He's positive, he leads by example, he's a God. Women want to marry him and kids want to be him. And what does he do? He smiles, he thanks the Yankees for the opportunity all these years later and he just does his job...hit and play the game with better baseball instincts than anyone I've seen since Cal Ripken Jr.

I own a Jeter jersey, it was a must for me as well as a Hideki Matsui and Jorge Posada one. I wear those three regularly but only during the playoffs. I rotate them... I'm a nerd, leave me alone.  I have a few retired jerseys too but I don't really wear them much anymore. A Johnny Damon road jersey, Bobby Abreu and Roger Clemens and yeah, sometimes when you have a few bucks, you buy a jersey on impulse. Don't judge me. I used to own a John Elway Broncos Jersey for a while. It wasn't the cool white or blue one either, it was the bright orange throwback #7.

I loved watching Elway play the game and I remembered Elway from his early days with the Yankees. Don't know what I'm talking about? Read WHY I REMEMBER "ELWAY THE YANKEE" AS CLEAR AS DAY.

So yeah, the jersey craze is great right now. The list breaks down like this:

(Courtesy: ESPN)

What's your favorite Jersey? Comment, tell me what you wear the most. BYB wants to hear from you.

Please comment, we have DISQUS, it's easier than ever. Let me know what you think and follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and look for the hashtag #BYB. Also, join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook, just type it in.

WHY I REMEMBER "ELWAY THE YANKEE" AS CLEAR AS DAY

Full disclosure…I am not a true football fan, meaning, I don’t sit on the couch on Sunday’s during the winter and watch the Giants and Jets kick ass. That being said, I read the Sports pages and am very much in tune with the New York players and New York teams and the season. It's not fair to call me a football fan though. I know football fans, and they put in long hours to support their teams, I admire them, but I am not one. I am however truly a baseball and New York Yankee fan and proud of it, which is why my next statement may be a bit confusing…but follow me.

I followed the Denver Broncos throughout John Elway’s career and when he retired in 1999, so did I. I didn’t follow the team as hard as I did the player himself. You see, growing up, I was (and still am) a true baseball nerd and I remember the moment when John Elway was a member of the Oneonta Yankees in 1982. I remember I even purchased a John Elway figurine in Oneonta on the way to Cooperstown with my family a year or 2 after and I still own in today. I loved that this guy John Elway from Stanford was drafted in 1981 by the Yankees and I remember a lot of hype surrounding Elway back then. Once he gave up baseball for football, my fascination expanded to Elway on the Denver Broncos. I was thrilled when he won his championships and I always felt this weird connection to the guy because I followed him all the way through his career. Yes…I’m a dork, but I accept that.

I was listening to Dan Patrick today who said there was speculation out there that part of Peyton Manning’s decision to sign with the Denver Broncos was because John Elway was his idol and he didn’t want to say “no” to his idol. Dan was quick to point out that, “Shouldn’t Archie Manning have been Peyton’s idol too?” and I’m sure he was, but if Peyton’s decision to go to the Broncos was because his “idol” wanted him, I get it. Meeting an idol in your lifetime as a civilian is 9 times out of 10 positive. There is always that superstar you think would be amazing to meet, then you meet him and your view of that player’s ego-maniac ass changes. I’m sure the “idol” thing came into play for Peyton and I hope he has tremendous success in Denver. I find Peyton to be one of the greatest in football and I may even find myself pulling for the guy once in a while, but to me, it all goes back to John Elway. He was a true leader on the field, he has been off the field and that’s something any person should look up too. Who knows… maybe Elway learned the Yankee way, way way back with the Oneonta Yankees and brought that throughout his career, teaching, leading by example, and perhaps even passing the torch to Peyton, who knows? I know this though, for the past 4 days I’ve been going through my collectibles pulling out my Elway/Yankees memorabilia… great memories from my childhood I guess… you gotta love it.

Please comment, we have DISQUS, it's easier than ever. Let me know what you think and follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and look for the hashtag #BYB. Also, join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook, just type it in.