CAPTAIN DEREK

“You just try to play hard because the least you can do is go out there and give 100% effort. It doesn’t mean you’re always going to get the job done or be successful, but the last thing you want to do, when it’s all said and done, is wish you had tried harder.”

-Derek Jeter

(This blog was never intended to come out after last night's events, but nonetheless I add insult to injury because that was the most pathetic sports moment of my life.)

Derek Jeter is one of the greatest leaders in the history of professional sports. Certainly his 3000 hits, 5 World Series Titles, 5 Gold Gloves, and numerous other baseball accolades lock him into the Baseball Hall of Fame, but when it’s all said and done we should remember The Captain for everything he taught us about being a leader- both to himself and the greatest professional sports franchise in history (Although I am hard felt to admit this as a member of Red Sox Nation, the Yankees do have 27 World Championships, which is more than any other professional sports team).

Throughout his life, Derek Jeter (DJ3K) has exhibited numerous forms of leadership in achieving greatness; the two most notable forms being setting goals high (and, of course working endlessly to achieve those goals) and leading by example. In Tuesday’s class, Wesleyan senior Coale Mechlin commented on Jeter’s ways. “I think Jeter has enjoyed so much success because he is so good at what he does. Everyone respects the guy because of the way he carries himself and how hard he works.”

From an early age, DJ3K was known to set his goals high. At age 9 he told his mother that he was going to play in the Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. He ate, slept and lived baseball. From his grandmother to his sister and elsewhere, Derek was always looking for someone to play baseball with. He was passionate for the game and that passion was slowly shaping him into quite the ballplayer. DJ3K believed in himself and the amount of work he put in over the years proved that. “There is always going to be someone who is better than you, but there is no reason someone should outwork you,” mentioned Jeter. This is the type of positive attitude that all great leaders possess.

Additionally, DJ3K displayed the ability to lead by example. In the clubhouse, on the field and in society, Jeter has made his presence felt by all. He was never intimidated by teammates and confronted them if he didn’t like something – signs of a great leader. For example, DJ3K approached a Yankee pitcher who made negative hand gestures after an infielder committed an error. “We don’t do that kind of thing on this team,” stated Jeter. By holding himself accountable for his actions, he forces others to follow. “He doesn’t put blame on others,” stated classmate and Wesleyan senior Ali Singer. “When you look up to someone you want that person to show he or she is human. A great leader admits to his or her mistakes,” Ali added. DJ3K admits when he makes a mistake and forces others to do the same.

What our class loved about DJ3K was that he was very relatable. He likes hanging out, women, and partying, but has never let that get in the way of what he is trying to accomplish (Contrarily, our class discussions proved Michael Vick and Tiger Woods did.). “Jeter gets along with everyone and is able to deal with personality differences, but the second someone gets out of line he is right there to humble them. That’s the sign of a leader,” stated Wesleyan senior AJ Ferraro.

Congrats to Captain Derek on all his accomplishments. All young athletes look up to DJ3K and although I am older now, I still share that admiration. Derek Jeter is and will be a model for athletes and leaders to come. Much like Coach Whalen, DJ3K is a born leader.