A Fading Legend

Since 1996, Derek Jeter has been the heart and soul of the New York Yankees franchise.  He is a proven leader who possesses incredible character, and is truly the face of his franchise.  Unfortunately for Derek, this is not enough to impress the “new boss,” Hank Steinbrenner.  Indeed, the amount of money Jeter is asking for is way more than any other team is going to give him.  I understand this, but Derek Jeter hasn’t done anything for any other team in professional baseball, so therefore they do not owe him anything in return.  The Yankees, on the other hand, do owe something to him.  Since when are the Yankees worried about money anyhow?  Are they finally getting bit by the economy bug like everyone else?  NO!  The New York Yankees are like the Walmart of the business world.  Nothing matters except making money, and nothing is going to stop them from maximizing their profits.  The Yankees have used up all of Jeter’s worth, and are now ready to kick him to the curb.  He is like Stove-Top Popcorn after microwaves came out, no longer a product worth keeping on the shelves.  Sure, popcorn doesn’t cost anywhere near 20 million dollars, but you get my point.  To me, this whole process has to be a slap in Derek’s face.  He put his heart and soul into the game of baseball, specifically for the New York Yankees, and they can’t throw a little extra money at him?  I’m sure this is exactly what Jeter is thinking.  He has watched players entering and exiting the Yankees clubhouse for his entire career, with trails of money following right along side of them, and he can’t get the same?  They can pay Hideki Irabu ten million dollars a year based on pure hype, but they can’t pay him what he deserves after 15 years of service?  I realize some of his skills have diminished, as do the skills of every player once they hit a certain age.  What I would like to know is why leadership is not a quality that Hank Steinbrenner and the crew value?  Are his leadership skills that diminished?  Are the Yankees going to be the same team next year if they do not have Jeter in the clubhouse?  Is Alex Rodriguez ready to step up and be a leader, not only on the field but in the clubhouse?  The answer to the first question is simple, no.  His skills have diminished, but his leadership skills shine through to this day.  Until Alex Rodriguez steps up and becomes a true leader, not just a great baseball player, the Yankees can’t afford to lose Derek Jeter, no matter what the price may be to keep him.  Derek Jeter is the epitome of a great team player.  I believe that Alex Rodriguez is too wrapped up in himself to be able to take on this kind of role.  If anyone on that team were capable of filling Derek Jeter’s shoes, I would put my money on Robinson Cano.