Farewell Captain

Major league Baseball underwent many changes during the late 90's.  The strike of 1994 which left us with no World Series winner for the first time in decades left the sport reeling.  Cal Ripken, Jr. at the time was recognized as the single most influential player in saving Major League Baseball.  The steroid era followed and by 1998 baseball was back.  Over the past 50 years athletes have gotten bigger, stronger and faster seemingly by generation.  Positions were once defined by a combination of stature and raw physical ability.  By the late 90's it was evident that a new era was on the horizon.

The Shortstop position historically has been played by small, quick and agile men.  Derek Jeter,  Alex Rodriguez and Nomar Garciaparra changed the way the Shortstop would be viewed permanently.  They were coined "the big three" and that's exactly what they were to baseball.  Alex Rodriguez was the rock star of the famed trio.  He hit towering home runs and from the start  had a mystique about him that was second to none.  Nomar Garciaparra won consecutive batting titles early in his career.  Early on many perceived him to be the best of the three.  Derek Jeter was supposed to be the shy little sister of the group.  He didn't hit many home runs and his RBI production wasn't anything to marvel over. 

15 years later Derek Jeter is the last man standing.  Alex Rodriguez has thrown all his credibility away.  He is a life long juicer and frankly I don't believe he was ever clean.  Not only is he a cheater but he is also a blatant liar.  Nomar put together a solid career.  Injuries hobbled Garciaparra during the latter half of his playing career and the two time batting champion called it quits in 2009.

What separated Derek Jeter from the rest was his intangibles.  His confidence,  self awareness and the fact that he always seemed comfortable in any situation are a few of many.  These characteristics are hard to teach.  Derek Jeter never had to learn them.  They came along with the aura.  True greatness in its purest form. 

Growing up I used to hear people talk about Mickey Mantle as if he were a god or saint.  Thanks to Derek Jeter I now understand why.