For God's Sake!!! Why can't I have a Derek Jeter!?!?

I was up late Saturday night, tending to my newborn daughter, when I caught myself watching the Yankees/Angels playoff game. The game I speak of is the 13 inning thriller that New York ended up winning 4 to 3. It was in the bottom of the 11th and the Yankees were trailing 3 to 2. ARod smashed a solo homer and tied the game 3 a piece. After crossing the plate ARod made a jubilant trott to the dugout and there He was front and center. The first man out of the dugout to greet Mr. ARod. The man I speak of is "The Captain, Mr. November" Derek Jeter!!

Derek was the first to congratulate his teammate, as a captain should, for coming through in the clutch just as he has been the first to do countless times in the past. Derek was appointed captain, over taking Don Mattingly's captain title, in 1996 and has held the prestigious title ever since. Being a avid sports fan I follow a lot of sports on TV and more enjoyably so on the sports talk radio stations. The one thing that is certain is that whenever the Yankees are mentioned, Derek Jeter is the heart and soul of the conversation. He is a modern day God for the Yankees and Yankee Fans and his leadership, intangibles, and clutch performances have made him so. To hear people speak of Derek Jeter is like hearing people speak of God, Jesus Christ, Gandhi, and Mother Theresa.

It was at this time I thought to myself..... Why can't I have a Derek Jeter??

It is no secret that I am not a Yankees fan and I really, really enjoy rooting against them and seeing them lose. But my no means is this a Derek Jeter or Yankees bashing! I have enough since and I am unbiased enough to know that Jeter is an outstanding baseball player and that he brings so much to his team, his fans, and his city. Maybe it's jealousy, I don't know, but one thing I do know is that I don't have a Derek Jeter.

The Miami Hurricanes, The KC Chiefs, and the Cleveland Indians are my bread and butter and the teams I passionately route for. Sure I route for some others but the main 3 are the ones I turn the TV off in a heartbeat when they suck!! I'm sure you all can relate? I guess I am kind of to blame. I could choose to route for the Yankees and have my Derek Jeter but I have chosen another path. Sure The Chiefs had great success in the 90's as the only team to go to the playoffs every year during that decade. There was no Superbowl trophy and despite a great group of players there was no Derek Jeter. Sure The Canes have done well with 5 national championships and numerous NFL talents but again no Derek Jeter. Sure The Indians did well too in the 90's, before trading all their talent to other teams, but none were a Derek Jeter.

In the history of pro sports there have been very few teams that possessed such a player. It's very rare when the Babe Ruths, Michael Jordans, and Joe Montanas come along and it is very fortunate if they happen to be on your or my team. I long for the day when I hear people speak of my team(s) and my team has such a iconic player like Derek Jeter. Someone who is a leader, a work horse, a clutch performer in the big spot, and oh yes... A God. But until that day I will enjoy my teams' ups and downs and hopefully Derek Reincarnated will one day sign on my dotted line!!

Til next time,

"If it can fit in a toaster, I can cook it."