So Derek Jeter retired Monday and I just realized how more boring baseball season is going to be next year without this guy playing. Listen, I'm not a fan of the Yankees, Hell, I hate the Yankees just like the rest of America, but, I respect those that play or played the game with class and dignity Like Jeter did for 20 seasons. Does his legacy live up to the likes of Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron or Stan Musial? Absolutely not, and he will not get in the Hall of Fame on the first ballot either. With that being said: THERE WILL NEVER BE A MORE COOLER GUY TO EVER PLAY THE GAME OF BASEBALL!
Sorry David (I will never call another grown man Big Papi) Ortiz, he's cooler than you too. Say whatever you may want about his playing career (5 rings, 14 time all-star, all-time hit king in Yankees history, master of dime pieces), nobody played baseball like Jeter did. Think about this: How many celebrities you know that reside or work in New York for 20 years and never get in any type of trouble or scandal? When was the last time you ever suspected Jeter of using PEDS? What MLB shortstop do you know that dates a woman like this:
Or this:
OR EVEN THIS:
Sorry about that. The misogynist in me took over. What was I writing about again? oh yeah, people that know baseball know for a fact that picking the greatest player in Yankee history or even MLB history is an impossible task. For Yankee lovers, its either Ruth or Mantle. For the history of the game, its either Ruth or Mays.
Jeter was always the guy that always took the high road of humility when the media praised his career at its peek, or criticized him when his talent began to diminish. He was a leader on and off the field for teammates and a "role model" that young fans could emulate. And did I mention that he has 5 championships, 14 all-star appearances, 5 Gold Gloves and is the current leader in Yankee history for hits?
So as The Captain sails off into the sunset, let us be thankful that a man like Jeter came along to grace us with a career that may not be all-time legendary, but still pretty legendary.