Inevitable... for All the Right Reasons

The only question about Derek Jeter entering Tuesday was whether or not he'd receive 100% of the votes for the Hall of Fame. We learned last night that his name appeared on all but one every Cooperstown ballot. 99.7 percent support, one smartaleck short of perfection.

Don't worry, it won't taint the reputation of the greatest Yankee shortstop of all time and one of the five best ever to play the position in 150 years of major league history.

What struck me was how grounded and mature he always seemed. How this kid with the New Jersey grandparents dreamed of being a Yankee and willed himself into becoming a legend -- the last position player in franchise history to wear a single digit number. It was as if the baseball gods suggested, "Save 2 for this guy."

The remarkable baseball instinct, the leadership, the innate ability to deliver in big moments, that's what we'll remember about The Captain.

And congratulations to Larry Walker... who'll either become the last Expo or the first Rockie to be inducted in Cooperstown. Walker and Jeter join Ted Simmons and the late Marvin Miller in the Class of 2020.

Comments

Michael Pannullo said…
Couldn't be happier for Jeter getting in the HOF. He played the game right. Played it hard, and he played to win everytime he stepped on the field. He carried himself as a leader, never disrespected any umpires, nor throw a bat or slam his helmet down. Well deserved. Also Congratulations to Larry Walker for being elected to the HOF and representing your country of Canada.
January 22, 2020 at 10:48 PM
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