The Two Word Essence of Derek Jeter

September is here and with it the final month of professional baseball for Derek Jeter.  There has been no shortage of tributes and attention given to the close of Jeter’s career.  At times, it seems to be over the top even when compared to Mariano Rivera’s farewell tour just a season ago.  The Sandman is the greatest closer of all-time.  Jeter is a first ballot Hall of Famer but not the unquestioned greatest shortstop of all time.  Yet, something surrounding Jeter surpasses other great players.  Many tributes will use the two words that define him and our collective infatuation with Jeter.  These are two words that other legends of the game cannot lay claim to like Jeter.

    

Frank Thomas, a clean slugger in the Steroid Era, put a Big Hurt on baseballs and opposing pitcher’s ERA’s during his career.  Another beacon of clean play during the 1990’s was Ken Griffey Jr. The Kid could rake with the best of them and he played center field with an effortless grace.  In Boston, David Ortiz led the Yankees’ bitter rivals.  Big Papi took a World Series ring from Jeter but not his place atop the mountain.  As good as his peers were Jeter captivated fans on a different level.

Looking back at the game reveals other greats who still have not captured the imagination like Jeter.  Out by the Bay, the Say Hey Kid gave Giants fans something to cheer inside the chilly confines of Candlestick Park.  Willie Mays may be the best ever to play the game but he does not have Jeter’s aura.  Stan Musial was The Man in St. Louis and represented St. Louis for seven decades.  Hank Aaron Hammered away at prejudice and the all-time home run record.  Ted Williams was Boston’s Splendid Splinter and left the game with a home run.  Even Cal Ripken’s Iron Man nickname and guy next-door persona falls short of the indefinable essence of Jeter.

 

            Perhaps the best hope for a player to compare to Jeter’s unique quality wore the pinstripes as well.  The Yankee’s pantheon of greats has seen an Iron Horse, Lou Gehrig, become the Luckiest Man in the World.  The Sultan of Swat built the house that Jeter played in and the foundation of Yankee dominance with his Ruthian home runs.  In the 1970’s, with the pinstripes losing their luster Mr. October, with three swings of his bat, returned New York to the top.  Those three 1977 World Series Game Six home runs by Reggie Jackson still pales when compared to Jeter’s unique legacy.  The Yankees have witnessed Joltin’ Joe become the Yankee Clipper but even Joe DiMaggio, and his fanatical obsession with his public persona, falls short of the two word essence of Jeter.  That is because DiMaggio is not The Captain.  There is only one The Captain.  Derek Jeter.