How Much Cooler Can This Guy Get??

On a majestic solo home run to left field, DE-REK JE-TER, number #2 (deep Bob Sheppard voice), became the 28th player in Major League Baseball history to hit for 3,000 career hits.  Know for slapping single and doubles to the gaps and a master at going the opposite away with pitches, he became just the second player of all-time (Wade Boggs being the first) to have his 3,000th hit be a home run.  And to top it off, he is the only New York Yankee player ever to hit for 3,000 hits.  Not Lou Gehrig, not Joe DiMaggio, not Micky Mantle, or not even Babe Ruth have hit for 3,000 hits.  Love the New York Yankees or not, you have to marvel at the accomplishment, and the way DE-REK JE-TER, number #2, got his 3,000 hit.  For Mr. Cool, it was the coolest way.  The script couldn't have been written any better. 

For the record, and I think I've mentioned this before, but I root for the Yankees.  I admire their history and tradition, and hold no animosity toward the way they do business.  They single handily keep 4-5 teams in Major League Baseball afloat every year through revenue sharing, and that may be low-balling it.  But the main reason why I root for the Yankees is because of one, DER-KE JE-TER, number #2.  He is one of my favorite players of all-time and I admire the hell out of the cat.  He's done everything right in his career, being a perfect ambassador for the game of baseball. 

What else can you say about the career of one DE-REK JE-TER, number #2?  Check out this career line:  12 All-Star appearances, 5 World Series Championships, 1996 AL Rookie of the Year, 5 gold gloves, career .313 batting average, 3,000 hits, and one Minka Kelly.  He is an instant hall-of-famer the minute he retires, top 3 all-time shortstop to ever play the game, and the statute is already chiseled for when the Yankees retire his number and induct him into monument park.  He was named the Yankee Captain, rightfully so, and its been a title that he has upheld proudly and honorably. 

Their was a time when DE-REK JE-TER, number #2, was thought of as the third best shortstop in the American League, behind Seattle's Alex Rodriguez and Boston's NO-MMMARRR Garciaparra.  So called experts would debate between the three on who was the better hitter, fielder, most important to the team, longer lasting career.  Everyone had a horse in the race.  After Saturday however, I think we all know now, which player won that derby.  NO-MMMAAARRR's career fizzled after being traded away from Boston and is now occupying a chair in Bristol, Connecticut analysing baseball games.  And A-Rod, arguably the best all-around player in baseball prior and up to when he first joined the Yankees, was told that he had to vacate the position he had grown accustomed to playing his whole career and had won gold gloves at,  and was told to move one spot to the left, and become a third baseman.  While A-Rod is still playing third for the Yankees and may eventually end his career with better all-around numbers than DE-REK JE-TER, number #2, he'll do so as a third baseman, thanks to one DE-REK JE-TER, number #2.

Their are always people in this world who you just wonder how life turned out so good for them.  It's storybook-like; and you can either be bitter about how the story and how it ends, or marvel at the story and become a listener in ah.  For the story of DE-REK JE-TER, number #2, everyone should be mouth agape, and in ah at what he has been able to accomplish in his career.  The hits, the rings, the bravado.  How much cooler can this guy get?


Mr. Armchair Speaking