I know you're all saying "Its only spring training" but really 5-44, 1 for his last 30 & batting 113. If you guys aren't AT LEAST a little concerned then you must know something I don't. I'm hoping this is not a sign of things to come because I'd REALLY hate to see his career go out on an embarrassing note.
I know its ST, yet, so close to Opening Day know, yes, I am getting a bit worried. The Captain doesn't look like he's squaring up on the ball at all. He's hitting way to many weak ground balls, that is; when he makes contact at all. I know Joe said, he would use Jeter at times as a DH. I don't see that happening, the way he's not swinging the bat. I don't expect the Captain to play more than half a season at SS either. If we're lucky tho' maybe the Captain can play 100 games at Short, probably not tho'. His range is clearly not what it used to be. Old legs die hard, and I too don't want to see a classic HOF 1st ballot player in his last year, going down swinging, the way he has been in ST.
Yeah, we're only a week away from opening day & he's barely hitting the ball out of the infield. Micks final season (1968) was sad to watch, I really don't want to see that repeated with another great Yankee.
There isn't a Yankee Fan out there who is not pulling for Jeter to succeed. Team man that he is though I'd be willing to admit he'd step out gracefully on his own if he feels he is not making his fair contribution.
Same here. I think were all hoping for the best for Jeter. Our Captain, we hope has a career year, to define his legacy, over many years. May he hit the piss out of the ball, once he starts to play in the Bronx. I got a feeling were going to see The Captain have a hot streak or two, much like Ripken, I hope, pray, and worry too. Nothing but the best for our Captain.....I'd love to see him get 150 Hits, Score 100 runs, hit for a .300 Avg, or better. Yep, I got a feeling once Derek's cleats hit the turf and field, he will snap out of his funk, and, show us why he is a first ballot Hall of Famer. May he show us his patented pirouette throws, from SS to 1st base. A bit rusty right now, yet I can't help but think, the atmosphere of Yankee Stadium and the crowds will ignite him, again to reiterate, much like Ripken had in his last final year.
I know he's a seasoned pro but I can't help but wonder if the pressure to do well in this his final season will effect him.
I wanted to cry in 68, I got two great badges in old Yankee Stadium, the Micks Day, a Day To Remember. They are in great shape, and I wear one proudly on my chest of my old decrepit, but proud, old interlocking NY, Starter Coat of Old Yore. The only thing that gave me some relief was watching Reggie play in Oakland the same year 68, with those great 3 peat A's playing a double header against the great Orioles of the same era's, thru great A's of Catfish, Vida Blue, on and on. O's of both Robinson's, the awesome O's pitching staff who would go on to have 4 each 20 game winners. What a Golden, Mets, O's, A's crazy Golden Yellow, and Kelly Green, Pure White and Green uniforms on Sunday's only. The Charlie Finley A's, had 6 uniform types in 67 and on. Not to mention: seeing Bob Gibson pitch versus Juan Marichal, Gaylord Perry, (when he actually had a hell of a fastball), Wilie Mays, and McCovey, (the other M&M boys). What a Golden Era, to see the last 31 game winner, McClain. Tho it took Lolich to win the 68 series, when Gibson opened in game One striking out 17 batters in that Series. So, yes, to see the Mick on his Day To Remember, was one of gloomy ending of a LEGEND. The only thing that got us through that year of grief, was just what I mentioned, the Giants, Cardinals, Tigers, O's, and A's, not to mention the Miracle Mets, who would arise, the year after the Micks Departure. What great Teams in a golden era. We got to see the Mick, as we waited an hour to leave the stadium in Anaheim. The day the Yanks were in town, as Mick gave Reggie a trophy for breaking his HR Record, and Reggie did it off of Roger Clemens, just a month after Roger Struck Out 20 men versus the Mariners. That moment is in the 86 Donruss Highlights. Reggie hit his record breaking HR, a bullet cannon line drive dead Center Field. The Camera Man actually jumped off of his camera platform, as the Ball hit the Camera. BAM. So a month later when the Yanks came to town, the Mick presented the trophy before the game, a great moment. Thus, when we left the stadium, we walked thru the lobby doors, the very moment the Mick walked in besides us. I told my boys, Kim, and Brother, and Dad, "look, its The Mick, I don't believe it". We walked almost side by side, slowly, (kids and an old worn out Mick don't walk fast). We never bothered him for autographs, we thought he deserved his peace from us. That was a minute or two in infamy. I also got the Micks Autograph at a Memorabilia, Ball Card Show, at the DisneyLand Convention Center. On a Bat, I ordered from Louisville Slugger, that is/was made precisely to the Micks spec requirements. A K-55, 35 inch long, 38 ounces. The Mick used 35 ounce, to 38 in his career, per the companies information. (which one do you want to order). A Game Bat, never used by the Mick, but could of easily been sent to him almost 2 decades prior. Mick was a great Autograph HOF, great kind guy, who always had a word for a kid. My oldest boy got to shake his hand as he wore one of many World Series Rings. A month prior, Stan The Man Musial was in the same place, and he too took a moment to talk with me, and my son. Stan immediately smiled, held out his hand, with his Series Ring, one of several. Asked my son, I bet you play Little League, then Stan personalized my Son's 8X10 picture, of Stan leaning on his Bat, his proud Cardinal Uniform, one of the best guests, besides the Mick. The show Promoter, was peeved, with both the Mick, and Musial, for slowing down the line of seekers. Those guys can be assholes, yet, after an hour, the Promoter said fuck it, and left. Leaving both great Hall of Famers, to have at it as they pleased. Giving some honor to these two greats. HOF'ers get a pass from Promoters now, to do as they fucking please, taking all the time in the world to speak with a kid, or Fan. In other shows, just a couple, I'll bother you with: Kirk Gibson, and Andre Dawson, both side by side, would not even look up when anyone, said thanks, or any other thing. Both assholes, wouldn't even acknowledge the person getting his pic, magazine, ball, bat, you name it, signed. Joe DiMaggio, pure fucking class. Old, Arthritis, only would sign flat items. Tho' Joe, too had a smile and wink for everyone, especially kids. (Always take a kid if you can ever go to a collectors memorabilia show). Pete Rose, not bad, but to busy chattering to the Promoter. Not much but a glance from Pete, no words. Oh well, another class ass. Bill Dickey, pure greatness, in every way. I never saw the Promoter, as Bill was on his own, signing my old Dickey Model Catchers Mitt, and old card of him as well. Almost as great as DiMaggio, and Mick. A great kind Man, Bill took his sweet time, and had a word for everyone. Barry Larkin, a rookie had just started playing in Cincy, a rookie, sitting in a lonely room, all to himself, no lines, no one knew Barry was a HOF'er in the seat, unknown except to MLB Fan-atics, yet unknown to the Majority of peeps, who were all in line to get Jack Clark's autograph. Barry had so few autograph seekers, he signed as many items as you could throw at him, and had nothing but time to chat, what a great guy, Larkin was, and what an ass Clark was. I also ran into Jack in Lancaster CA, when the Dodgers upper A-Minor League team, as the hitting instructor. Jack sat in the dugout, and talked to none of the crowd, and wouldn't acknowledge anyone in the Stands. However guys like Nettles, and Hough, always had time for a fan, during down time. Great Autographs, can be had in these Minor League Leagues. You never know who your going to run into, in a Single A-Minor League Park. Quit a few greats, and high prospects, come through here in the CA League, A-Roid, Griffey Jr., Cruz Jr., the Rockies Gonzalez played for the JetHwaks of Lancaster, on and on, Koby Clemens a good hitting short broad Catcher. Koby Hit the piss out of the ball, was 2nd in most batting stats, tho' he couldn't get much further than AA ball. A site to see tho', Koby had a great arm, and no one could steal on him. (sorry, I'm fucking rambling on, damn old age, and golden memories of yore, damn it...!!!)
