The Captain's last Voyage

When the New York Yankees take the field at the start of the 2015 season, they'll be doing so without one of the team's fixtures and all-time greats. Entering his 20th and final season in Yankees pinstripes, shortstop Derek Jeter announced earlier this week that he'll be hanging up his cleats and retiring at the conclusion of the 2014 season. The franchise's all-time hits leader who turns 40 years old in June, broke onto the big league scene in 1995 as an injury replacement at shortstop, a position he would soon takeover and never look back while creating quite the name for himself and setting the standard for many of today's young players. Having achieved just about every highlight and award possible to go along with his five World Series rings as well as date a laundry list of some of Hollywood's hottest babes, there's very few things the one better known as "the Captain" has yet to accomplish throughout his Major League career that is nothing short of first-ballot Hall of Fame worthy.

When he wasn't making dazzling, acrobatic plays with his glove such as his signature "jump-throw", he was diving and crashing into the stands. And when he wasn't doing that, he was getting it done at the plate, driving in runs while earning such nicknames as "Mr. November" and "Captain Clutch". Whatever it was that he did, he gave it his all. But it wasn't until 2012 that we were all reminded that Derek Jeter is in fact human. Though the world didn't come to an end in 2012 like many predicted, the next closest thing happened in Yankee land when Jeter fractured his left ankle while reaching for a ground ball in the American League Championship Series versus the Detroit Tigers. Jeter's absence would be a devastating blow to the Yankees lineup as Detroit went on to sweep the series and advance to the Fall Classic. The injury to Jeter's ankle along with a handful of other ailments would plague his 2013 campaign, forcing him to miss all but 17 games last season. Prior to 2013, no other season saw Jeter play fewer than 119 games aside from the year he was called up to the Majors some 19 seasons ago. So if it seems like it's been forever since someone not named Jeter routinely roamed between second and third base, it's because it has been. At least it has for me.

Since I can remember watching baseball as a child, the Yankees were always the glitz and glamour of the Major Leagues, almost always had some of the best players and without a doubt had the nicest uniforms. It's hard to think back and see a Yankee team without Jeter as the everyday shortstop mainly because I was five years old at the time he was called up. And while I've never been a fan of the Yankees and would much rather root against them, Jeter is one of the few that has donned the pinstripes that I can honestly say I've always liked. With baseball's Spring Training in full swing, the Bronx Bombers are less than a month away from kicking off the season without another mainstay in closer Mariano Rivera who took his farewell tour just a season ago and received gifts from every ball club along his journey before calling it quits after 19 years in the Big Apple. Though he wasn't healthy enough to be on the field to witness most of it, hopefully Jeter took notes as he will take a similar approach while making his rounds across the country to other visiting ballparks around the league and receive gifts while doing so on his way out.

It's hard to believe that next year will be the first season in which neither Mariano River nor Derek Jeter's names will be called during player introductions. No 'Enter Sandman' by Metallica will be playing from the stadium speakers to introduce the "Sandman" himself who ran out of the bullpen gates to compile a record 652 career saves, the most all-time. And the famous recording of long-time Yankees public address announcer Bob Sheppard introducing Jeter as, "Number two" will no longer be heard. Highly regarded as a consummate professional among those he's worked for and played alongside of, Jeter is the type of guy you'd want your kids to grow up idolizing. At least that would be the case if I had kids. Jeter, a 13-time All-Star, wore the pinstripes the way they were meant to be worn -- with class. And though 2014 will see Jeter take his farewell tour, I like to think of it as a victory lap rather before he embarks on his next journey -- Cooperstown. 


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Jeter's Milestone Put On Hold

In pursuit of hit no. 3,000 in the illustrious career of New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, the Bronx Bombers and their fans will have to wait as a trip to the Disabled List halts the timing of the All-Star shortstop making history. In his first at-bat during last Monday's game against the visiting Cleveland Indians, Jeter notched the 2,994th hit of his career by lacing a single to left field. There wouldn't be much else to cheer for though as Jeter would have to leave the game just four innings later in what was eventually a 1-0 loss.

After hitting a fly ball to right field, Jeter suffered a strained right calf when he began running to first base. After receiving medical attention at a nearby hospital, an MRI revealed a Grade 1 strain. Though Grade 1 is the lowest level strain possible, the injury forced Yankees skipper Joe Girardi to place his future Hall of Fame shortstop on the DL for the first time since 2003. However, with six hits remaining until he reaches the big milestone and only two games at home before an eight game road trip when Jeter is eligible to return to the lineup, the chances of him reaching the feat at home in front of the New York faithful are slim. That's unless he misses a few starts on purpose. But with the team first mentality Jeter has been known for having, that's unlikely.

The injury also comes at a pivotal time as the archrival Boston Red Sox who were slow out of the gates at 2-10 to start the season, have suddenly caught fire winning 14 of their last 17 games and now own sole possession of first place in the powerhouse AL East. But like almost every season for the past 10 years, the final week or so will decide who comes out on top. And just because the Yankees are without the one they call the captain, doesn't mean they're not going to treat every game like it's their last. Since being placed on the DL, New York has done just fine, winning 6 of their 7 games without Jeter in the lineup.

Given the Yankees franchise is by far the richest in history highlighted by the success of some of the most elite hitters of all-time with the likes of Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle and Lou Gehrig just to name a few, it's hard to believe no Yankee player has ever reached the highly coveted 3,000 career hit plateau. Taking that into consideration, I think the smart thing for both Jeter and the Yankees organization to do would be to have him reach the milestone while at Yankee Stadium. Though all milestones are better suited in front of a home crowd, it would be disappointing to see Jeter record his 3,000th career hit anywhere other than New York, granted how rare the feat has occurred.

Jeter who turns 37 later this week, is yet to hit his stride and is so far having an off year after experiencing free agency for the first time in his career this past offseason. Currently hitting .260 with 2 home runs and 20 RBI's, Jeter will try to become only the 28th player in Major League history to join the 3,000-hit club. The question that remains is where it'll take place, whether it's on the road or at home whenever he returns to the Yankees lineup.

Throwback Thursday x Jeter passes the Iron Horse

Growing up as a child and a fan of baseball and sports in general, you're either taught to root for or root against one specific team, and that team is the New York Yankees. Whether it's jealousy or plain 'ol hatred a fan has towards the most historic franchise in sports history, you've got to give credit where it's due. And that's in fact what I'm doing. In my younger years, I was one of those fans that would root for both my team and whoever was playing the Yankees. However there's often a certain player that you want to cheer for deep down inside and in this case that player happens to be Derek Jeter.

2 Weeks ago, Jeter reached a number that many great players only dreamt about. And before 1995 when Jeter made his debut, he was one of those dreamers. That number is the All-Time Yankees Hits record. A record that stood tall for 72 historical years. Although he's not the greatest hitter to ever play for the franchise, he's certainly one of the most popular and hard working. Whether or not you're a fan of Jeter's, his work ethic is one that anybody can appreciate. The guy goes out there and does what's expected of him day in and day out. There's no wonder why Jeter's been named the only Yankees captain in all of it's success. Sure he's made a debatable case for an MVP award (which most likely won't happen), but only a ring added to his collection would complete the perfect season.

Jeter's record breaking 2,722nd hit came off of Baltimore Orioles' Chris Tillman. The milestone took Jeter 44 less games than it took Gehrig to set the mark, which is a big surprise. But what surprises me most about the Yankees franchise and all their glory, is that despite all their legendary players, no Yankee has ever reached the 3,000 hit plateau. & At the age of 35 and no signs of slowing down, Jeter could be the first Yankee to reach the hallowed mark with what looks to be at least five more seasons ahead of him. Regardless, Jeter's name is now added to some elite company that includes such names as; Ruth, Mantle, and Gehrig. How about a tip of the hat to the captain, Congrats Jeter, you've earned it!