DEREK JETER IS FOREVER OUR LEGEND

You walk through life being a Yankee fan and hearing about the stories of guys like Babe Ruth or Mickey Mantle or Bobby Richardson. My dad would blab about how he never saw anyone hit as well as Yogi Berra and how "Back when I was a kid, the monuments were out in center field. There would be times when the ball would roll back there and the fielder would have to go retrieve it."

I vaguely remember seeing the fans storm the field after the 1976 ALCS and Chambliss's homer. Like actually seeing it on TV... not the recaps years later. I mean, I was just a kid and even back then I was thinking "Oh, they're gonna get in trouble."  

I remember the brawl between Reggie Jackson and Billy Martin in the dugout.  I remember Bucky Dent's homer and the 1981 World Series Game 1 when Ron Guidry pitched and I sat in the mezzaline in right field with my dad. The Bronx was electric that night.

I remember Jim Abbott's no hitter, Coney's perfect game and the night Derek Jeter was anointed Mr. November in a time where this country needed the biggest hug of our lives.  And I remember this young skinny kid named Derek just help carry the Yankees with one of the greatest teams I have ever seen as a Yankee fan.

Derek Jeter wasn't supposed to be a superstar, but Derek Jeter worked his tail off to become a superstar.  And let's take it further... it wasn't him selfishly looking to be a superstar during his workout routines and extra BP. It was his goal to help a team be the greatest, because, that's what baseball is... a team effort every step of the way.  And I think if you were ask Derek about his career, that is what he would say, something like... "Good teams win championships... if I could contribute in every game to make that possible, I did my job as a ballplayer." 

All this fanfare about the Captain making it to the Hall of Fame is almost too much for the guy. He's not that dude. Ricky Henderson? He knows he's the greatest and he'll tell everyone that would walk by. Jeter had swagger, but not the guy you'd hear squacking about how amazing he was. He did it with his glove... his bat and his leadership and loyalty to a team and fan base for his entire career.

Derek Jeter is going into the Hall of Fame today.  It is one of the biggest things a Yankee fan will ever witness. Jeter never gave us much when it came to the media and there probably won't be much today as well, but one thing I do know is his poise and professionalism helped him become a true leader, growing up in front of our eyes.

John Quincy Adams said "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader."

Jeter has done more to the kids of this generation to help move that inspiration forward. I know for a ton of kids out there, seeing #2 on their little league jerseys only means one thing... Jeter's an inspiration, a role model... and a fantastic ballplayer to boot.  That right there is signficant.

Congrats to the Captain. You have proven you can do anything and have shown everyone, including the Yankee haters that respect is earned, not given. I applaud your hard work and leadership and a huge shoutout to your parents who raised you right.

I look forward to getting up to the Hall real soon and seeing your plaque.

Respect... from everyone here at Bleeding Yankee Blue.

YOU LIKE THIS? WANT MORE JETER? CHECK OUT SOME OF THESE:

JETER IS A GREAT ROLE MODEL FIRST, A GREAT PLAYER NEXT

WHAT JETER DID FOR A GENERATION OF BALLPLAYERS

JETER MAGIC & A HAPPY ENDING. THANK YOU, DEREK

THE SECOND COMING OF DEREK JETER

MY TRIBUTE TO OUR CAPTAIN

O CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN!

RE2PECT & NEVER FORGETTING #2

DON'T BE JETER... BE YOU, KID!

WITHOUT DICK GROCH, THERE IS NO DEREK JETER

WHY WEARING PINSTRIPES DOESN'T MAKE YOU A YANKEE

Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome a new writer to the BYB family, Moonlight Graham will be sending over pieces from time to time about his thoughts on the New York Yankees. It's a hard look and will bring you more of the historic perspective a lot of you have been asking about. Enjoy it, and welcome him. --The Mighty Casey

There is a HUGE difference between playing for the New York Yankees and being a New York Yankee.

I think this dramatic difference can best be explained by two players who ironically play closest to each other on the field: Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez.

As for Jeter, well, it’s obvious he’s a Yankee. He bleeds Yankee blue. Even if he burned Yankee Stadium to the ground, and traded pinstripes for prison stripes, he’s a Yankee, Forever. Now, as for A-Rod, I’m not saying that he can’t become a Yankee, but right now, he’s only playing for the team.

Think about it this way, Derek Jeter, even if he did something terrible, it wouldn't matter, #2 will be automatically retired in his honor when he hangs up his spikes. He will be forever remembered as the Captain, no doubt. But, do you think #13 is as automatic? With the career numbers A-Rod should put up, it should be automatic, yes, however, the reason it’s not automatic is because he plays for the New York Yankees. He’s not a New York Yankee. Again, that can change.

What makes a Yankee? Pride, game play, championships. Some have it, some earned it, others were just there to receive it. Some, never earned it.

Now, here are players who have become Yankees. Think Paul O’Neill, Reggie Jackson, and for you old-timers, Red Ruffing. But some players will always remain as someone who played for the Yankees. Think Wade Boggs, Darryl Strawberry, and Rickey Henderson.

So, why did I make the distinction between being a Yankee and playing for the Yankees?

Because in the coming weeks leading up to Opening Day, I’ll be naming the best three Yankee players to play each position. I’m going to start with catcher, working my way around the diamond, ending with pitchers and finally managers. Please feel free to send in your suggestions. It's a hard look and I'm happy to hear you all out.

Oh, and allow me to introduce myself officially. My name is Moonlight Graham. If my name sounds a bit familar, it may be because my career was a bit unique. You see, my Major League Baseball career consisted of only playing two innings in right f ield. I never got a chance to come to bat. So if you have some time, drop me a line. Until the season starts, this cornfield out in Iowa is a little lonesome. If you know who I am, you're a true baseball fan.

--Moonlight Graham BYB Staff Writer





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