A Letter to Derek Jeter
Submitted by Chris Graham on Sun, 09/28/2014 - 11:58am
Dear Mr. Jeter,
Where do I start? First of all, that was a great run huh? Twenty years is an amazing accomplishment and to do it the way you did was something that I will probably never see again. I never thought as a little kid in 1996 when you took over the starting position at shortstop for the New York Yankees that I would be looking up to you and calling you one of my idols.
You came into baseball during a time of identity crisis still fresh off a strike. Players and owners were at each other's throats about money, fans had turned their backs on the game (rightfully so), and the national pastime was suffering in a big way. During this time you just kept your head down and did your job every day. Then, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa came along in 1998 and put the game back in the limelight with the "long ball." Once again, you just did your job putting together a great season and got yourself your second ring with all of the attention going elsewhere.
As the years went on you go about your business racking up three more World Series rings to go along with the 1996 and 1998 ones. You were an All-Star 14 times, Rookie of the Year (1996), 5 Gold Gloves, 5 Silver Sluggers, World Series MVP in 2001, and other awards as well.
Yet, through all of this you kept your humbleness and kept playing the game as it should be played where as other players had no trouble at all flaunting their accomplishments for their own self-advancement and made sure the public knew about it. While baseball was going through the "long ball" phase and players were doing anything they could to be bigger, faster, stronger and get the most money and fame you again just played the game.
Baseball would once again go through turmoil as the 2000's uncovered a lot of scandals. Fans were again disappointed to find out the heroes they cheered for were doing it artificially. Nothing seemed real anymore about the game.
Seemingly no one was doing anything with just their "God given" talent. The Internet, newspapers, TV, and everything in-between were so fixated on the negative in the game. The fans were looking for someone to turn to, and, there you were Mr. Jeter. Quietly and consistently hitting above or close to .300 every year while playing miraculous defense and just winning. A true ball player conducting yourself with class, dignity, respect, integrity, and grace.
For all this, I say thank you Mr. Jeter. Thank you for being there to show the fans that there are still ball players out there that play the game for the game on your own terms. Thank you for being the anchor for baseball through such an uncertain time. Thank you for restoring the fan's faith in baseball. You are the pinnacle of what a ball player should be. You did it your way.
"Heroes get remembered but legends never die." You sir, Mr. Jeter, are a legend. Here's to you Derek. See you in Cooperstown.
Best Regards,
Chris Graham
