You know you are getting old when an athlete that you respect and admire retires from actively playing as a professional in his sport and you cannot believe he has turned 40 years old. Derek Jeter has been one of professional baseball’s greatest players and he was certainly the pride of the New York Yankees — if not of Major League Baseball. I am not a Yankees fan, but in my humble opinion Jeter was and is one of the all time great professional athletes. I think the world of sports all took Mr. Jeter for granted. Maybe that’s because Mr. Jeter was not a arrogant, conceited big-mouth who put his name in the news for all the wrong reasons. He never had a DUI or beat anyone up. He never waived a gun in a barroom nor abused a lady. He was a thoroughly decent gentleman and was always gracious and polite to fans, the newsmen, and anyone who approached him. He was definitely “old school” in that he let his play on the diamond do his talking for him. It just happened that he played shortstop and hit the ball on a Hall of Fame level.
He provided baseball fans with so many special moments and performed at such a consistently outstanding level that as I said. I think we just took it for granted that “Captain Clutch” was just always going to be there. The 6’ 3”, 195 lb. Jeter was born in Pequannock County, New Jersey but grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He was the American League Rookie of the year in 1995 and that was just the beginning. He owns five world Series Champion rings. His honors are too numerous to mention here but he did play in 14 All-Star games and was the All-Stars’ MVP in 2000. He was awarded 5 AL Gold Glove Awards for his outstanding fielding and also earned 5 Silver Slugger Awards for his hitting. He and his father established the Turn 2 Foundation to help encourage teenagers academically and give aid to kids with substance abuse problems.
As we head into the Major League playoff season in anticipation of the Series, it’s a bit sad to think that Mr. November will not be a part of that anymore. But rest assured that Derek Jeter will still be close to the game of baseball. I’m figuring he will be sitting in the broadcast booth somewhere as early as this month. Best of luck Derek Jeter.
Hope Solo and Domestic Violence
Hope Solo is one of the United States Women’s Soccer team’s greatest players, of that there is no doubt. She continues to play goalkeeper at an outstanding level, recently achieving a world record by recording 73 shutouts. She earned two Olympic Gold medals. She is one of the most recognizable faces in women’s soccer. She will apparently be playing for the U.S. in the 2015 FIFA World Cup games in Canada. I say apparently because she’s currently under indictment for domestic abuse in an incident involving her half sister and 17-year-old nephew at her sister’s home in June of this year. The case will go to trial in November. Solo has pleaded not guilty.
U.S. Soccer teammate Jillian Loyden has called for Solo’s suspension from the team until the case is resolved. “US Soccer needs to send the right message. They need to communicate that domestic violence is never okay…….our league can no longer turn a blind eye to the allegations that Solo assaulted two family members.”
Ms. Loyden feels very strongly about the issue because of the fact that her sister Britton died in 2012 as a victim of domestic violence. Ms. Loyden is the first of Solo’s teammates to publicly address the issue although some other members of the team have privately criticized the team’s lack of action in the matter. It has been inferred that a double standard exists in cases where women are the perpetrators of domestic violence.
In the United States every suspect should have the benefit of the presumption of innocent until proven otherwise but in light of all the incidents of domestic violence that have come to light among American athletes, Ms. Loyden is absolutely correct — no incident of domestic violence should be ignored, no matter how famous or “important” those involved in the incident. The U.S. Soccer team mishandled the Hope Solo incident.
Andy’s Handy
Andrew Luck is currently leading the NFL in both yards passed for 1,617, and touchdown passes at 14. He’s led the Horseshoe to three straight wins after two opening losses. The team is tightening up, particularly on the offensive line. Defensively, despite the loss of several key players to injury and suspension, the team is playing at a high level. Number 12 has the same ability that his predecessor had in that he can inspire his teammates on both sides of the ball to play above their individual abilities because they know he can win the game for them if they give him the opportunity and they don’t want to let him down. Andrew Luck is “The Guy” and the Colts are now definitely his team!
snicewanger@yahoo.com