O'Captain, My Captain...

Okay, so this has a bit of a personal connection.  No, I don't know Derek Jeter, but I did spend a few really great moments with him on September 11, 2011.

As usual, Mr. Jeter was a baseball gentleman and nothing but class, then and now as he announced his retirement from Major League Baseball.

Jeter's retirement may not leave the hole at short stop some might argue.  I know Brian Kenny made an argument he is the best offensive short stop of all time, but the Yankees organization will suffer a giant hole in their whole with the

loss of their Captain: Mr. November.

As Bob Nightengale noted in his USA Today column, Jeter could have hung around.  He could have continued playing and showed the indignities of age that have hobbled other greats.

If he wanted to be a designated hitter for a few years, it was his choice.

 

If he wanted to look like a stumbling Willie Mays at the end of his career, a hobbled Mickey Mantle or an old Satchel Paige, Jeter earned the privilege to inform the Yankees when he was retiring.

Instead, Jeter goes out on his terms.  While I doubt he will get to leave with one more World Series ring, perhaps the additions to the team will be enough.  Perhaps the Yankees can somehow make their way through both the AL East and the greater American League to pull it out so he can not only leave on his terms, but as a Champion one more time.

He is the last of the big three: Rivera, Posada, and Jeter.  You can argue Pettitte should be in this group too.  You can look at the numbers as Brian Kenny did, but for me, Mr. Jeter will always be about class and getting the job done.  He was Mr. Clutch, never putting up monster numbers, but always scoring a run, moving a runner, or making a play in the field that mattered to his team.  What else is there?

For me, these are some of the best demonstrations of Derek Jeter.

The flip...

Into the stands...

Tying the 2001 World Series, making him Mr. November...