Derek Jeter Makes History...Again

Last night, Derek Jeter made history in the first inning when he nabbed hit number 1,270 to break Lou Gehrig’s record for hits at the Stadium. In arguably one of the worst seasons of his career, with the Yankees not making the playoffs for the first time since The Captain put on his pinstripes- Jeter did what he’s always done …matter.

In June, Sports Illustrated released a poll declaring the shortstop overrated and while stat kings will argue idiotically about numbers, Yankee fans know better. Because no matter what those numbers say, Derek Jeter has always mattered on and off the field. He’s been sought after, hounded, depended upon, idolized, scrutinized and at times, even canonized. And in all of the hype, Jeter has handled the ebbs and flows of his blessings with a steady hand.

When the Yankees came back against Atlanta in 1996 to win the World Series, thousands of young girls lined the streets of New York with posters begging for Derek Jeter’s attention and professing their undying love. As the Dynasty added championships 24, 25 and 26- grandmothers and preteens from Brooklyn to Barnegat draped themselves in number 2 tee-shirts only adding to the frenzy.

But the love affair Yankee fans have with Derek Jeter goes way beyond his sparkling green eyes and killer smile. While his looks certainly added to his personal brand off of the field, they had little to do with what has defined him as a player on it.

Inside the House That Ruth Built, Jeter became a legend not with juiced up homeruns but with consistency. Everyday he shows up, honoring the men who have come before him- like Gehrig whose own legacy is seeped in stability. Derek Jeter has made headlines for things like The Play and The Dive but never for disrespecting or doing the wrong thing like so many other players do.

Derek Jeter doesn’t need the accolades- in fact many times he shuns the praise and always reminds those pesky reporters why he’s playing this game; never for the camera- always to win. He discretely opts to keep his leadership tactics, conversations and advice inside the clubhouse instead of broadcasting them for the world to see. He’s both professional and personable in a world where those qualities are often lost to Sports Center antics. It seems only fitting that the last week of The Stadium would involve Jeter making history for the right reasons, during a season when his team won’t.