BASEBALL, NEW YORK, AMERICA

DEREK JETER, A HISTORICAL AMBASSADOR

NO MATTER WHERE HE TRAVELS, YANKEES SHORTSTOP DEREK JETER HAS AN AURA OF THE BIG APPLE AROUND HIM AT ALL TIMES. INCLUDING A 2011 GAME AT TARGET FIELD.

 

STORY AND PHOTO BY PAUL MARVIN

For the greatest generation, Lou Gehrig was the Iron Horse who exemplified American resilience and determination throughout the Great Depression.

Like Gehrig, every generation has a player who represents more than just the game of baseball. He signifies the ever changing history of a young country.

America’s national pastime has and always will be synonymous with her ups and downs politically.

During World War II, players traded their MLB uniforms for those in the service. Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier for baseball and beyond. The 1994 players strike reminded fans across the country how greed could take an American treasure to new lows.

Recent times are no exception. America’s bigger is better at any cost mentality has already tarnished the legacy of players who should have been legendary for better reasons. Questioning the credibility and honesty of our nation from boardrooms to ballfields.

As we celebrate the history of American Independence this July 4, the New York Yankees and the Minnesota Twins square off at Target Field. For Minnesota fans, as well as fans throughout the country, the Yankees represent an evil empire. A metaphor for power and the bullying influence of money.

But this year, even Twins fans have reason to welcome the Bronx Bombers to town. For one final season, Derek Jeter is making his rounds to ballparks across America. A country he has served honorably as a ball player and American citizen.

Simply, New York

Since his debut in 1995, Jeter has been an admirable class act. Unlike others of his generation, including numerous teammates over the years, he was never a cheater. He has always been one of the good guys in a corrupt game. Jeter transcends baseball.

He is the epitome of a cultural ambassador for New York City. Everywhere he goes, there is a New York aura of him. Sure the Yankees pinstripes are legendary, but when Jeter comes to your town wearing his road uniform that simply reads “New York,” you understand why the Big Apple is his. Like the New York City t-shirt photograph of John Lennon before it, the image is iconic and unmistakable.

Historical ambassador isn’t a role Jeter requested. It was given to him over time based on amazing, honest play, and ultimately set in stone as a result of national tragedy.

As America entered a new century in 2000, Jeter had already established himself as one of baseball’s best players by winning three World Series rings in just five seasons. By the end of the year, he would win his fourth ring and be awarded both the All-Star Game and World Series MVP awards. The only player to do so in baseball history.

Well into the 2001 season, Jeter and the Yankees were heading in full gear toward another World Series appearance. On September 10, Roger Clemens was to try for his 20th win of the season but the game was postponed due to rain. New York turned their sights to a series against the Chicago White Sox scheduled to start the following evening at old Yankee Stadium. Unbeknownst to them, the game wouldn’t be played for eight days.

The next morning, baseball, America and the world changed forever.

America, something to cheer for

Sports were an afterthought as all MLB games were suspended indefinitely after the terror attacks of Tuesday, September 11. “They’re still trying to find people. I really don’t think it’s the right time to play baseball,“ Jeter said at the time.

Support for New York City swelled throughout America and the rest of the world as play finally resumed. Previously unthinkable acts of baseball kindness began to occur. “New York New York” was played at Fenway Park in Boston. When the Yankees resumed their season in Chicago, fans held signs reading “Chicago Loves New York.” MLB stadiums across the country played “America the Beautiful” in honor of New York City.

With all tragic events, collective healing must start somewhere, and it is often trivial events often have the greatest impact. For New York City and the rest of the country, it was the return of America’s game that began the mend for the United States.

Jeter and the Yankees had met first hand with family members of those killed and injured. “We got to hear how much we meant to the families, how we had given them something to cheer for for at least three hours a day. It was an experience I’ll always remember,” Jeter said a decade later.

Along the way, Jeter transformed from New York’s ambassador to America’s baseball hero. Nonetheless, in true Jeter fashion, he would never lose sight as to who the real heroes were. “People look at us as heroes, but those (9/11 victims and rescue crews) were the true heroes” Jeter said.

After beating the Oakland Athletics in the American League Championship Series, thanks in part to Jeter’s memorable defensive “flip” play in game three, a Yankees appearance in the World Series was inevitable and a piece of New York poetic justice.

Mr. President and Mr. November

The Yankees opponent in the fall classic was the Arizona Diamondbacks and their one-two pitching punch of Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling. The series opened in Arizona Saturday, October 27. The latest start date ever for a World Series up to that point.

After dropping the first two games to the Diamondbacks on the road, the Yankees returned to Yankee Stadium for a memorable and historic Halloween night.

President George W. Bush became the first sitting president since Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956 to throw out the first pitch as part of the World Series. Prior to the game, Jeter suggested to Bush that he throw from atop the pitchers mound instead of out in front, as is customary for ceremonial first pitches. The Commander in Chief  followed Jeter’s advice and through a strike right down the middle of the plate, a symbolic moment that brought life back to a down and out city as chants of U-S-A echoed throughout Yankee Stadium.

The Yankees won game three by a score of 2-1 behind the arm of Clemens.

True to form, game four didn’t disappoint and included a major league first. At 12:04 a.m. in the bottom of the 10th inning, Jeter jacked a series tying, three run, walk-off home run  to right. Historic because it was the first home run to be hit in month of November due to the delayed 9/11 MLB schedule.

A symbolic home run by a Manhattan resident that proved New Yorkers don’t give up when down and out. That night, “Mr. November” transformed into America’s baseball ambassador as the wounded nation continued in the healing process.

Although the Yankees ultimately lost the series, the results were irrelevant. Baseball fans across the country rooted for the a team they would normally loathe, in honor of their beloved country. A truly historical moment for America and her pastime.

The Lucky ones

The Yankees wouldn’t win another World Series until 2009. During their championship run that year, Jeter topped another American baseball ambassador for most hits in a Yankees uniform. The player he surpassed was Gehrig and the swing of the bat fittingly occurred on September 11.

On July 4, 1939. Gehrig graciously told America he “was the luckiest man on the face of the Earth” as he said goodbye to baseball.

75 years later, our country is a different place and players like Gehrig are few and far between. Jeter, however, is one of them. This Independence Day, baseball fans are the lucky ones.