Derek Jeter and his
effect on me.
by rick olivares
Sometimes, reticence is mistaken for aloofness or
timidity.
Growing up, I always felt like the awkward one. I was
tall, reed-thin, near-sighted, and definitely not the best athlete on any team
I played in. So I mostly kept quiet. However, what I had was this iron will and
determination to show that I could play the game. I was the free kick
specialist on the football team. I was the defensive specialist on the
basketball team. I was the utility player who could play any infield position
where the coach put me.
However, between awkwardness and lack of talent, there
was my parents’ fervent desire for me to hit the schoolbooks more than the
pitch. There were my teachers in school who even petitioned my coach to take me
off the team so I could concentrate on my studies.
I had become a different person as I lashed out. I
became the quintessential angry young man whose emotions were on full display
on the field.
I wish I was younger when I saw Derek Jeter play. He
played the game of baseball for the New York Yankees the right way. He didn’t
say much even during the most trying of times as he preferred to let his game
do the talking as he played hard every single day through injuries and all. Furthermore,
he was very respectful not just of the game of baseball but to all people.
Jeet was unflappable even as he played with a certain
flair with a knack for the incredible. Through it all, he stayed calm and
quiet. He never got embroiled in any controversy. He never quarreled with
anyone. He never celebrated excessively to show up opponents. And in a city
where gossip is news, he mostly stayed out of it except for the girls he dated.
I keenly followed Jeter’s career from a prodigious
short stop in 1995 all the way to his being team captain and to last year where
stopped by injuries, he played through the pain and did what he could for his
team.
In 2003, I visited Modell’s along 42nd
Street and Broadway. I checked out all the Yankee jerseys that were on sale –
Posada, Giambi, Williams, Mussina, Matsui, Clemens, Pettitte and a few others.
But the one I ran my hand through the Majestic (the brand) jersey was Jeter’s
number two. It cost a $120. I didn’t even think twice. I bought it (as well as
the blue batting jersey although a few weeks later on) and immediately wore it.
I went to Yankee Stadium afterwards; first for the
tour of the locker rooms and Monument Park. It was a fulfillment of a lifetime
dream to not only visit Yankee Stadium but to also see the hallowed grounds. I
felt my hair stand up not because of ghosts of Yankees past but because of the
history of the place. I thought of my grandfather who inculcated the love of
baseball in me.
After the tour, we were being ushered out as the
players were coming in any moment now. While making my way out, my mind was
still in cloud nine and my feet still were not touching the ground when I felt
a hand on my back. “Thanks” was what I heard.
I whirled and it was Derek Jeter who was carrying his
Yankees bag and headed for the locker room. I couldn’t say a word as I was
surprised. I didn’t even think of fishing for my digicam to ask for a photo. He
pointed to my jersey (that bore his number two as well as his name) and
grinned. He disappeared in the labyrinth of hallways underneath before I could
come to my senses (well, there were the others from the tour who were there).
In the years since, I’ve been to many a sporting
event covering them or simply being a fan. During the recent FIBA Asia
tournament, a colleague of mine from philstar.com, Aldo, tapped me on the shoulder
and asked me how I could remain so calm in such an electric atmosphere. I
explained, “I’m focused on the game as I have to write about it. And… Derek
Jeter.” I am not quite sure if Aldo understood that.
Unflappable.
Like my grandfather and father before me who never
grunted as they put their work boots on and went to work every single day. I
have since tried to be the same. Going to work even when I am sick and all. In
fact for quite some time, I had a sign atop my workstation or cubbyhole that said,
“Today, I will do the best work of my life.”
Just like Derek Jeter will in his 20th and
last season with the New York Yankees.
O, Captain, my Captain!
ReplyDeleteI have many things that I want to say about him but I can't seem to find the words.