Jeter the Legend

When you think of the name Derek Jeter a couple things come to mind right away; he is always a class act, always respected, and is one of the best shortstops of all-time. There is no question in my mind that Derek is one of the best shortstops that have played the game. However, his play is not the only impact that he has made on society or in the lives of kids. Jeter has changed the game of baseball and how kids and families view the sport. He has impact so many lives and kids growing up. If it was not for Derek Jeter college kids today may not be playing the game of baseball, we might not have gotten some of the best players we see today, like Harper and Trout. The sport of baseball has changed forever because of Derek Jeter. 

For 20 years all we have known is Derek Jeter, 20 seasons have come and gone, and it is finally the end of the “legend.” As a college kid Derek Jeter has been the only constant in our lives for sports, that’s where Jeter’s legacy lies. Players like Derek Jeter come once in a lifetime, and the impact that these types of players leave on people in society is unbelievable. Kids that are now between the ages of 20-25 grew up with Derek Jeter, they grew up playing shortstop wanting to be Jeter. You walk through the park in the city of New York, and will see kids pretending to be Derek Jeter. He is an icon, a legend from the city of New York. People love Derek Jeter and there has been no athlete that has made more of an impact on society from the late 90s to the 2000s. Jeter was never the best player on his team, nor was he ever the best player in the league and some may say he isn’t the best shortstop of all-time. People say that because he wore the Yankees pinstripes he garners the respect, no Derek gets respect because he’s a kind guy, a good person, and a hard worker.

Who is Derek Jeter he’s not the best player ever to wear a Yankees uniform, he may not even fall in the top 5, maybe not the top 10.  But, Derek Jeter is one of the most respected players of all-time. Parent’s tell their kids to play sports with the integrity to garner respect, to play the game right. Kids wanted to be Derek Jeter, us college students grew up idolizing him. Though I am not Yankees fan, you have to respect the man because of whom he is, what he stood for. Derek Jeter has impacted all of our lives at some point. He has made us want to play the game hard, to give 100% at all times, to dive into the crowd or to lead by example. Thank you Derek Jeter for helping us grow up fans of baseball, for 20 years you have been a part of our lives, you have been our only constant in sport. We will miss him dearly not seeing him in the Yankee pinstripes, not seeing him playing shortstop. Derek Jeter has made us grow up loving baseball and he will never be forgotten. RE2PECT for Derek, farewell to the Captain to the Legend!