All right, I’ll settle for one more inside-out line-drive double to deep right —the Jeter Blue Plate that’s been missing of late. It still astounds me—Derek’s brilliance as a hitter has always felt fresh and surprising, for some reason—and here it comes one more time. The pitch is low and inside, and Derek, pulling back his upper body and tucking in his chin as if avoiding an arriving No. 4 train, now jerks his left elbow and shoulder sharply upward while slashing powerfully down at and through the ball, with his hands almost grazing his belt. His right knee drops and twists, and the swing, opening now, carries his body into a golf-like lift and turn that sweetly frees him while he watches the diminishing dot of the ball headed toward the right corner. What! You can’t hit like that—nobody can! Do it again, Derek.
It’s sobering to think that in just a few weeks Derek Jeter won’t be doing any of this anymore, and will be reduced to picturing himself in action, just the way the rest of us do. On the other hand, he’s never complained, and he’s been so good at baseball that he’ll probably be really good at this part of it too.
I was watching the 1999 World Series a few weeks back, and seeing him fresh faced and so confident (Never Lacking for confidence) it seems like he is still the same kid. I look at his almost ever-present smile on the field, and think, what a gift. He never forgot that he played a game. Fiercely competitive, but always seeming to enjoy himself. It is hard to believe that he is 40. I know this isn't a great year for him, and I think he is picking the right time to hang up the uni. I only get to see the nationally televised games and a few on MLB, every game seems to focus on his imminent retirement and it has been a long season of seeing the same clips, but I do love the stoires that O'Neill and his former teammates tell. He deserves the adoration, and has earned it. One last trip to the postseason would have been nice, but that looks far-fetched at this point.
I think we will have to wait a long time to see another dynastic team like the Yanks of 96-01. Maybe never again? With all the layers of the postseason,luxury tax, international draft, they have figured out a way to blunt the Yanks advantage.
The biggest advantage might have been the Big Stein, who would have signed any check to win. We would likely have Cano pulling us into the postseason right now, and maybe have Ellsbury too. Perhaps a few more overpaid stars that don't add to team chemistry, but it would have been more interesting that is for sure.
I love that Roger Angell is still getting his hits, too. Thanks for sharing this, Alex.