Derek Jeter's Farewell Season

Today's blog post was written by James Hodgens, a student in the Social Foundations of Coaching course taught by Play Like a Champion founder and directors Professor Clark Power and Kristin Sheehan.  James is a senior marketing major at the University of Notre Dame, and despite his allegiance to the Yankees, the editor of this blog will allow this homage to Derek Jeter. 

For some sports fans March is about college basketball; for baseball enthusiasts such as myself, it’s all about getting prepared for Opening Day.  Every year as the weather gets warmer; it means baseball season is getting closer.  However, this season will be different from every other season I have watched.  This year will be my last opportunity to watch my favorite player – Derek Jeter. 

I was born the same year Jeter was drafted (1992), and was three years old when he made his Major League debut (in 1995).  My earliest sports memories were of the great Yankees teams of the late 1990’s, and Jeter is the last remaining Yankee from those great teams.  Needless to say, I have never known the Yankees without Jeter.  To me, he is more than just a great player on my favorite team; he is a role model in a time where sports, especially baseball, have experienced a digression in the character of athletes.

Derek Jeter
New York Yankees

Jeter has had, without a doubt, one of the most accomplished careers in baseball: he is a thirteen time All-Star, five time World Series champion, and a member of the 3000 hit club.  However, what make him special are the demonstrations of his character and the values that he preaches.  It was not just natural athleticism that enabled Jeter to achieve so much; he possesses an incredible drive.  He once said: “If you’re going to play at all, you’re out to win.  Baseball, board games, playing Jeopardy, I hate to lose.”  When he struggled during the 2010 and 2011 seasons, critics began to question whether or not he was too old to continue to excel.  He responded by rebounding during the 2011 season and having one of his best years in 2012.  Now, after missing almost the entire 2013 season, he is attempting to come back from injury for one last season.

Jeter has maintained his sterling reputation during baseball’s most corrupt years – the steroid era – and in what is considered to be the most difficult city to play in – New York.  Being the star player for the Yankees earns you a lot of support, but also a lot of negative attention from media and opposing fans.  Jeter takes it all in stride, using it all as further motivation.  In addition, his charity, the Turn 2 Foundation, has raised money to help children adopt healthy lifestyles away from drugs and alcohol.  For these reasons, Jeter is respected by teammates and opposing players from around the league.

Baseball will miss Derek Jeter when he retires.  Given his history of avoiding the spotlight, there is a good chance that he will live a quiet life after baseball.  Hopefully he is healthy enough to finish his career with one last great season.  For all that Jeter has done for the game of baseball, he deserves it.