Derek Jeter’s Giant Heart: How He Helped a Young Boy Rise from the Ashes

On June 3, 2003, Derek Jeter was crowned the 11th captain of the Yankees long and illustrious history.

Long before the day that may rank at the top of his life’s proudest moments, Jeter was able to help lift a tiny Yankees fan back onto his feet.

Expecting to celebrate his 11th birthday on November 26, 1996, a young boy sprinted out of his elementary school’s doors.

The excitement of the day nearly overtook him as he looked around for his mother’s car, knowing he was mere minutes away from cake, candles, and a pile of toys.

The boy heard a familiar voice call out to him from a familiar car. Neither the voice nor the car, however, belonged to his mother.

A friend of the family explained that the boy needed to get into the car with them, and that there wasn’t time to stop at home.

The boy’s house was no further than the distance traveled during the home run trot of his hero Don Mattingly, and he knew something had crushed his birthday dreams.

The boy’s house and most of his Yankees treasures had been left in ashes after an aggressive electrical fire.

That boy was me.

Though flames were not exactly the perfect gift for the occasion, material possessions could be replaced. The important thing was that no one was injured, and even the family cat somehow survived with no more than a cough.

As with all fires, some things could never be replaced. Accompanying antiques and family pictures on that list were a bevy of Yankees collectibles which were accumulated over the years.

At the youthful age of 11, children do not fully understand the impact of life’s misfortunes. So long as everyone is ok, the next essential on the list involves a favorite card, game, poster, or autograph.

The New York Yankees had just won the first World Series of my lifetime, and nothing else in the world mattered.

The retirement of Mattingly after the 1995 season left me in search of a new active player to look up to.

As the starting shortstop of a little league team, it seemed only natural to be drawn to a baby-faced Yankee wearing No. 2.

After all, Jeter had just won the AL Rookie of the Year award. At just 22 years old, he was already fitting himself for the first of his four World Series rings.

Months before the fire, I bought a pack of 1996 Score baseball cards. Inside of its shiny wrapping was the most thrilling sight these eyes had seen in years.

Scattered amongst Heathcliff Slocumb, Geronimo Berroa, and Marty Cordova rested a mint condition Derek Jeter rookie card.

After jumping as if I was on a trampoline in the back yard, I settled my heartbeat and immediately placed it into a protective casing.

It meant so much to me that it was placed in a special box underneath my bed; a spot reserved for the true “untouchables.”

As a result, the newest priceless member of my collection was tucked safely out of harm’s way. The baseball gods would not allow the flames to destroy the next Yankee Messiah.

While sitting in a hotel room, my mind raced as we awaited relocation into a temporary rental house. A brilliant idea then struck my brain.

Why not send my prized rookie card directly to Jeter at Yankee Stadium?

If I could only acquire his autograph across the card’s facing, imagine how “totally rad” that would be! (The Ninja Turtles were still controlling my vocabulary at the time)

Weeks later, I sat down in front of a computer screen and began typing to my newest hero. I told the future captain my story, and confessed my desire to one day be as talented as he is.

I folded the letter in three sections like they had shown us in school, though it took me many tries to perfect the craft. The card was dropped into the envelope behind it, and its next destination was the back of a mail truck.

Each week seemed to last a year, and I wondered if Jeter had received my plea.

Then one day, I returned home from a long day at school to find a letter in the middle of my mattress. “It is postmarked from…YANKEE STADIUM!”

After entering into a horizontal dive onto my bed, I cautiously tore open the top of the envelope.

There might as well have been a 50-percent stake in Bill Gates’ estate inside, because its contents meant equally as much at the time.

The card had been returned with Jeter’s smooth signature written across his pinstriped jersey…just as I had always dreamed.

It no longer mattered that I was going to live in a foreign home for seven months. It no longer mattered that most of my toys were gone forever.

Jeter instead gave a young boy all the reason he needed in the world to smile. He gave a young boy a role model and a source of inspiration.

That same smile is just a recollection away.

The young boy still inside me will never forget how the Yankee captain lifted his spirits when he needed it most.

All it took was a pen and a stamp, but my outlook was forever changed.

Stadium Deconstruction: The Harsh Reality of the End of "The House that Ruth Built"

Even after the completion and opening of the new stadium across the street, "The House that Ruth Built" still stood in tact.

Though it represented every timeless memory of the Yankees' storied past, its insides looked nothing like we had all hoped to remember it.

The exterior walls appeared unaffected, and with a quick glance looked ready for more October baseball.

The harsh realities of the end of an era are floating to the surface day by day.

A few weeks ago, I brought an overhead image of the deteriorating Yankee infield.

Today, I unfortunately bring some of the first photos of the dismantling of our former baseball sanctuary.

They are truly difficult to look at, and still symbolize a truth I am not ready to face.

Much like a friend or family member that has passed on, you still feel as though it will always be there for you to see whenever you need it.

The new stadium is truly magnificent. I simply hope the electricity and atmosphere in the stands can live up to its legendary ancestor.

Yankees Bench to Give Opponents Splinters All Season Long

Recent Yankee lineups have been packed with big names as tightly as a sardine can.

Whether intimidating or intimidated, it appeared that the name on the front of their baseball card was the driving force of the Bronx’s game plan.

During late-game situations, Joe Torre and Joe Girardi were unable to remove struggling stars from the lineup in favor of Miguel Cairo and Wilson Betemit.

The restrictions that the lineup provided caused the Yankees to lose many, if not most, of the chess matches between managers at the end of games.

Teams of the dynasty years were balanced offensively, and possessed consistency on the pitching staff that simply cannot be overvalued.

The lineup’s flexibility, however, was an integral part of the Yankees October successes.

Yankee benches of the past featured former superstars such as Darryl Strawberry and Cecil Fielder. It also included clutch role players like Luis Sojo, Chad Curtis, and Shane Spencer.

In 1996, even Hall of Fame 3B Wade Boggs came off the bench during a miraculous playoff run. The season of course ended with Boggs riding (a horse) off into the sunset with his first World Series ring.

The ability to mix and match a lineup to counteract an opposing manager’s pitching changes is vital in determining the outcome of a must-win game.

If Homer Bush and Red Sox OF Dave Roberts have taught us anything, it is that a pinch runner can help crown a victor as easily as a man wielding a bat.

During the 2004 ALCS, Roberts stole second base when everyone in the stadium knew he would try.

A line drive up the middle off of Mariano Rivera shifted the momentum of a lost series, and essentially sealed the fate of New York’s historic postseason collapse.

After years of bench players ending games with clean uniforms, it appears the Yankees have finally received the memo.

By adding skilled and versatile athletes into the equation, New York has given Girardi the tools necessary to utilize his National League pedigree.

Though part of a convincing loss at the hands of the Baltimore Orioles on Opening Day, Nick Swisher pinch-hit for Cody Ransom with a one-run eighth inning deficit.

Within seconds, he was standing of second base with a ground rule double.

His relentless energy can provide an emotional lift down the road, and his power can help to throw a wrench in an opposing manager’s strategy.

Girardi can pinch-hit for Ransom at any point during the game as a result of another member of the bench’s contingent.

Backup infielder Ramiro Pena is without a doubt the most talented defensive player on the roster. While Ransom is an athletic and skilled 3B, Pena will ensure that defensive liability is of no concern after a lineup change is performed.

The same flexibility holds true in the event that Brett Gardner is removed in favor of a power option. On any given day, Hideki Matsui, Jorge Posada, Xavier Nady, or Swisher could be available off of the bench.

If Gardner is replaced, the Yankees still have CF Melky Cabrera waiting in their back pocket for defensive purposes. His superior arm will force 3B coaches to be more conservative on shallow fly balls.

On the other side of the coin, Gardner can pinch-run in the event that he is given a day off against a left-handed pitcher.

His electric speed can change the game in ways the Bronx has not seen since Rickey Henderson was patrolling the outfield.

In no way am I comparing Gardner’s offensive skill set to that of Henderson’s, but his pure foot speed can wreak havoc on the basepaths.

Much talk has been made about New York’s wealthy starting rotation and star-studded lineup. Their astronomical paychecks make them worthy obsessions.

However, the Yankees bench and newly discovered lineup flexibility should provide a useful dynamic in returning the team to the top of the American League.

Do not sleep on the Yankee role players…because they just might haunt your dreams.

"Blast" from the Past: Kyle Farnsworth Still Up to His Old Tricks

Bucky "f#@king" Dent was given a new middle name by Red Sox supporters after his 1978 home run in Fenway Park. It stuck with him for decades into the future.

Kyle Farnsworth earned that same middle name from Yankee fans as a result of his unreliable and putrid relief efforts.

Well, Kyle "f#@king" Farnsworth was busy introducing himself to a new set of uneasy fans on Tuesday afternoon. This time he was wearing a brand new Royals uniform.

In the eighth inning, Farnsworth was brought in to preserve a slim 2-to-1 Royals lead over the offensively inconsistent Chicago White Sox.

As if still traumatized by his years spent heckled in the Bronx, he began 2009 the way he seemed to end every game of years past...

Defeated, and with his tail tucked firmly between his legs.

Farnsworth gave up four hits including a back-breaking three-run homer off the bat of White Sox DH Jim Thome. The pitch all but sealed the Royals fate as Opening Day losers.

Perhaps the most memorable moment of Farnsworth’s turbulent baseball career involved his apparent skills on the football gridiron.

Farnsworth twice tackled pitchers to the ground with absolutely perfect NFL form, leaving Paul Wilson and Jeremy Affeldt asking, “Did anyone get the license plate number of that truck?”

He may have had a more successful future playing linebacker than he has amassed thus far in Major League Baseball.

Farnsworth has simply been unable to harness the 100 MPH fastball and biting slider that still makes 25 general managers drool across the league.

The other five have employed Farnsworth in their bullpen, and are well versed in the ulcer-causing nature of his pitching prowess.

Many supporters of the Chicago Cubs hoped that Farnsworth could become as electric as Rob Dibble once was for their division rival Cincinnati Reds.

With a career 4.47 ERA and 30-48 record, Farnsworth instead reminds fans of Billy Koch. He represents just another flamethrower that never learned how to pitch.

Upon his departure from the Bronx in a trade for catcher Ivan Rodriguez, Farnsworth surprisingly wept tears and seemed crushed by the decision.

For the first time in my life, I felt genuine sympathy for the man that is responsible for my current blood pressure medication.

Perhaps he truly believed he belonged on the big stage. Perhaps he envisioned one dominant October revitalizing his career and earning him the respect he always clawed for.

That day will likely never come for the underachieving Farnsworth.

It is only a matter of time before the Royals realize that cutting his salary from the payroll is more valuable than his innings on the mound.

Teams like Tampa Bay may be calling for his services to attempt to plug another veteran into a budding bullpen.

Unfortunately for him, it appears that you truly can’t teach an old dog new tricks.

At almost 33 years of age, Farnsworth can still throw a baseball through a brick wall. However, he still can’t throw one to a catcher’s glove on the outside corner.

C.C. Apparently Stands for "Chilled to the Core"

During C.C. Sabathia's Yankee debut in Baltimore on Monday afternoon, cameras captured an alarming sight.

Sabathia was seen stuffing what appeared to be a heating pad into his jacket while in the dugout.

Speculation immediately surfaced that he had tweaked a muscle somewhere in his midsection, and was attempting to stimulate blood flow to the area through direct heat.

Had Sabathia injured his rib cage or oblique muscles, it could result in a lengthy stint on the disabled list.

The fact that it was not an exceptionally cold day fueled speculation, especially when taking into account Sabathia's time spent in Cleveland's frigid Aprils.

Fears were quieted following Sabathia's explanation of desiring extra heat in order to keep his core loose and warm.

The only thing that could derail the Yankees season after Opening Day would be losing a member of their wealthy rotation for any extended period of time.

Manger Joe Girardi and his team can breathe a collective sigh of relief, as they do not need to entertain the possiblity or fear of that happening quite yet.

After all, A.J. Burnett does not pitch until Thursday (just a little DL joke that I could not resist).

Yankees Victim of “Fowl” Play: Orioles Fly High on Opening Day

The 2009 season began with hopes and dreams of a deep October playoff run.

The Yankees hoped to turn back the clocks and recreate dominance reminiscent of the late 1990s.

Monday’s season opener was not quite the initial progress they had hoped for, as the Yankees were surprised by an upstart Oriole team with something to prove.

Prized pitching acquisition C.C. Sabathia had hoped to have a New York debut so successful that fans would think his initials stood for “Chevy Chase.”

Unfortunately for the hefty lefty, his pitching prowess reminded much more of the post-Friends acting career of “Courtney Cox.”

Though there is absolutely no reason whatsoever to hit the panic button after nine innings of baseball, the loss provides dissenters some early fuel for their Yankee-hater fire.

Even if you had not watched one pitch of yesterday’s game, a single statement could explain the day’s events for the Yankees.

Of all the high-priced free agents obtained by New York during the offseason, it was Nick Swisher (1-for-1, ground rule double) who had the most promising Opening Day performance.

Considering Swisher was not in the starting lineup, and managed to accumulate about 60 seconds of field time, it is clear that Sabathia and 1B Mark Teixeira struggled in game one.

When taking a much broader perspective on the game’s events, there were many positives to cling to.

Injury concerns Jorge Posada and Hideki Matsui both hit mammoth home runs, and rookie CF Brett Gardner displayed the skills necessary to start in the league.

Additionally, the unveiling of the Derek Jeter leadoff experiment was a success. Both he and Johnny Damon had multi-hit games and helped to jumpstart a stagnant offensive attack.

The Yankees did nothing to quiet the voices of those who questioned their defensive abilities or bullpen depth.

They struggled mightily in each area, and will need to make adjustments quickly in order to keep pace in the league’s toughest division.

Luckily for New York, there are 161 games remaining on their schedule. It is only a matter of time before their talented roster straightens themselves out.

It could begin tomorrow night in Baltimore, as former Yankees ace Chien-Ming Wang takes the mound to prevent an immediate 2009 losing streak.

Regardless of the Opening Day disappointments, it feels incredible to once again be talking about meaningful baseball.

Buckle your seatbelts. It is going to be a wild ride.

MLB Opening Day Means One Thing: Predictions, Predictions, Predictions

As another season of baseball kicks off in 2009, there will be countless moments to be remembered forever.

However, even before the first wins and losses are logged in newspaper standings, it is time to predict and prognosticate.

Analysts might as well be using a Ouija board to determine the year’s ultimate outcomes, as we have as much certainty as a Vegas man trying his luck on the roulette wheel.

Regardless of that fact, every baseball lover makes his or her best attempt at being 2009’s version of Nostradamus.

It is officially my turn to peer into a crystal ball and tell others what I have seen. Here goes nothing.

American League Division Winners:

AL East: Boston Red Sox
AL Central: Minnesota Twins
AL West: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Wildcard: New York Yankees

National League Division Winners:

NL East: New York Mets
NL Central: Chicago Cubs
NL West: Arizona Diamondbacks

Wildcard: Philadelphia Phillies

2009 Playoff Predictions:

ALDS: Yankees over Angels; Red Sox over Twins
NLDS: Mets over Diamondbacks; Phillies over Cubs

ALCS: Yankees vs. Red Sox
NLCS: Mets vs. Phillies

2009 Individual Awards:

AL MVP: Miguel Cabrera (1B Tigers)
NL MVP: David Wright (3B Mets)

AL Rookie of the Year: Elvis Andrus (SS Rangers)
NL Rookie of the Year: Jordan Schafer (CF Braves)

AL Comeback Player of the Year: Robinson Cano (2B Yankees)
NL Comeback Player of the Year: Troy Tulowitzki (SS Rockies)

AL Cy Young: Roy Halladay (Blue Jays)
NL Cy Young: Johan Santana (Mets)

AL Bust of the Year: Curtis Granderson (CF Tigers)
NL Bust of the Year: Brandon Phillips (2B Reds)

AL Manager of the Year: Ron Gardenhire (Twins)
NL Manager of the Year: Bob Melvin (Diamondbacks)

I will, however, wait several months in order to make ALCS/NLCS and World Series predictions. If for no other reason, the karma and jinx factors should be postponed as long as possible.

There exists nothing more passionate in playoff baseball than the clash of bitter division rivals. If my instincts prove correct, the baseball world should be given an early Christmas present come October.

It should be a very exciting and memorable season in 2009. Time has crawled by as if watching grass grow, but it is again time for baseball.