The word “special” seems overused when describing professional athletes, but in cases like Derek Jeter it becomes appropriate.
As an avid Cubs fan, using “special” to describe a lifelong Yankee is extremely difficult and quite frankly leaves a bad taste in my mouth. But as much as it pains me to say it, Jeter is one of the classiest athletes in sports today and has earned the almost universal respect and admiration of sports fans everywhere.
In a sports culture that encourages loud, abrasive personalities, this is an extremely rare accomplishment. Personally, I am beyond sick and tired of the constant stream of stories about the latest drug bust or domestic violence case against professional athletes.
Each sport seems to have its own problems, and even though the NFL is currently in the spotlight with all of its off-the-field issues, baseball has struggled with steroid use among a good majority of its big-name athletes.
Even the threat of fines or suspension doesn’t seem to make much of a difference. ESPN seems to be almost as much about what happens away from sports as it does what happens during games. However, over the course of 20 years, Jeter has been one of the few superstars who has kept his name honorable by consistently acting with integrity.
Jeter has remained remarkably humble throughout his career, although he possesses an amount of talent that would make almost anyone big-headed. He didn’t follow money around to a bunch of different teams.
Even though he was a Yankee, he was a Yankee for his entire 20-year career. He didn’t gain his fame and admiration through ridiculous antics but through the old-fashioned method of playing hard and performing well day in and day out. No matter who you are, people will generally respect that.
While in Cleveland this past summer,I was able to watch Jeter play, and came to fully understand how well he is liked around the league. Indians fans throughout the stadium were wearing “Jeter Farewell Tour” shirts, and every single time he came up to bat, people applauded. For an opposing player. I’m all about sportsmanship, but even I found that hard to believe.
Jeter is one of only 28 players to have 3,000 hits and is a sure bet for the Hall of Fame in a couple of years. Certainly, he is beyond talented when it comes to baseball. But true respect comes from evaluating character and deciding it is commendable.
I’ll be honest; it does sadden me a little that people of Jeter’s character are so rare in professional sports. I would be so much happier if he were closer to the norm than an anomaly. But that also doesn’t mean that when someone does handle himself in a more commendable way that he shouldn’t be rewarded. I’ll miss having No. 2 as shortstop for the Yankees.