A while back, I was contacted and offered a review copy of Derek Jeter: From the Pages of the New York Times. I was happy to receive it, as I've always kind of liked Jeter -- I have great admiration for the way he carries himself both on and off the field, and he's most certainly one of the greatest offensive shortstops of all time. The book (with an introduction from Tyler Kepner), essentially, is a collection of hundreds of New Yorks Times articles (and excerpts of articles) chronicling Jeter's career, from the early 90s up until the 2010 season.
Here's a summary from Abrams Publishing:
Derek Jeter is a sports hero in the tradition of Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, and Mantle. Admired for his leadership, performance under pressure, and work ethic, Jeter is not only the face of the New York Yankees, but a symbol of the game of baseball. A short list of his accomplishments include: Rookie of the Year, five World Series titles, eleven-time All-Star, five-time winner of the Gold Glove award, four-time winner of the Silver Slugger award, and the first player in history to win the all-star game MVP and the World Series MVP in the same season. With his future now secure as a Yankee, there is no better time to look back on his illustrious career.
I've always disliked the label "hero" as applied to athletes. But I won't argue that Jeter's career hasn't been illustrious.
What this book essentially accomplishes is the establishment of Derek Jeter as a highly respectable sports figure, which is rare. Playing in an era in which the superstars were often characterized as selfish and obnoxious, Jeter maintained a fantastic reputation.
In reading through these articles, it's hard not to believe that Jeter has set the standards for how superstar athletes should maintain their character.
What stuck with me most -- just 12 pages into it -- was this:
There is also this: Jeter will never allow himself to be burned by a reporter. In my eight years as the Yankees' beat writer for The Times, he never once asked to talk off the record. He puts his name behind everything he says. Accountability, again.
And I think that's ultimately his legacy. He's a great shortstop, and there's no denying that (although his defense isn't great). But what's so rare about Jeter is how he acts, considering the fact that he's a superstar.
That's what I drew from this book, anyway. If you're the kind of person that likes to thumb through old articles -- it's truly fascinating to see perspectives from decades ago -- then this book is for you. Or if you happen to be a fan of Derek Jeter.
One more note -- the pictures are beautiful. I'm shocked by just how skinny Derek Jeter was when he first debuted in the majors.
Note: you can find the book on Amazon here.
Follow SP on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook
