To me, as a baseball purist in every sense, nothing gets my blood flowing like the phrase "Pitchers and catchers report." It sends chills down my back every time I hear it. It reminds you of spring: freshly cut green grass, warm sun, lacing up the spikes, the sound batting practice the smell of your new leather. It really doesn't get any better.
After a 162 game season, it's definitely nice to have a break to spend time with family and kind of catch your breath before you get back going again. After a couple months though, you start to get that itch again; the game starts drawing you back in like smell of dinner after a long day of whiffle ball in the backyard.
And just like those young kids, the ageless Derek Jeter has been drawn back Tampa, Florida and the Yankees spring training facility ready to begin his seventeenth season in pinstripes.
Since 1993 when he was just a shy 19 year old kid, Jeter has made the trip down to Florida in early February to begin preparation for the season. And once again, even at the age of 38 with a spot in Cooperstown reserved, he is the first Yankee in camp mixing it up on the back practice fields with the dozens of farm hands that make up the future in the Bronx.
And what a role model to look up to.
Derek Jeter has set himself apart through the years with his undeniable work ethic and desire to win. It all starts in Spring Training fielding countless ground balls and regaining the flawless inside stroke that has produced over 3-thousand hits in the big leagues.
Over the next couple of weeks, the rest of Yankees will begin filing into the complex to begin what they hope will be a run towards the teams record 28th World Series Championship. One thing is for sure though; Derek Jeter will be ready.
Great read man. I played baseball all throughout High School and I can relate completely to that feeling of the blood pumping full of excitement. It's remarkable the impact he has not only had on the Yankees, but also in baseball. The man is a hero to so many kids around the world and he is a perfect role model. It's hard to imagine baseball without Derek Jeter. When the Yankees come on the field and Jeter is not there at short, I'm not sure how I'm going to feel besides that I'm getting old. I'm not a Yankee fan in the least, however I have the utmost respect for the type of person he is on and off the field. Every day and night it seems as if he puts 110% our there on the field. He's done so much for the game itself and at the age of 38, it seems as if it'll never end. I can't wait for the season to get started. Opening day is one of my favorite days of the year and as the years go by I only grow in excitement for a new season. Overall, hope Jeter is able to continue to produce the way he has in his entire career and wish the very best for the Yanks in the regular season.
ReplyDeleteYou're very good at tapping into your emotions about a topic and then putting those thoughts, observations and reactions into words in a way that is both well-written and free-flowing. Nice job.
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