"I'm not a Yankee fan by any stretch, but I do like Derek Jeter".

No no - don't be mislead by the title; I AM a Yankee Fan. That quote however, was heard this morning on the radio. I live outside the NY market and therefore am subject to insidious Yankee hatred. You know what I'm talking about "Of course Yankees have the most World Series wins, they just buy championships". Blah blah . . .I always respond in my head "You would be thrilled if your team did the same".

Anyway - Derek Jeter's 3000th Hit over the weekend was the subject of much discussion, facebook activity, tweets and sports talk radio chatter regardless of where you live I suspect. Obviously this was a huge accomplishment. He's one of 28 men who've crossed this particular line, but he is the FIRST Yankee to do so. Even the most ardent Yankee haters (or dislikers) have to respect Derek Jeter.


Coincidentally - in the days leading up to his 3000th hit I read an article comparing A-Rod and Jeter and how Jeter is the consummate professional, the true Yankee. This article contended that A-Rod defrauded the Yankees into that massive contract, selling them on years of steriod induced performance which has never quite gelled in NY. A-Rod worked the system, lied and cheated his way into stardom, and Jeter, he's just the opposite. Sure, we've only ever seen him in pinstripes, which helps see him as the "true Yankee". But as I see it, Jeter is not boastful, he's not obsessed with turning himself into a brand (hear that LeBRON!), he embodies the celebrity of NYC and the Yankees without diving into unseemly relationships and off the field antics. The man has never had a whiff of scandal around him. And the best - he's been a key player in championship seasons, and stepped up when the moment needed him to. In a city that revels in power, celebrity, money and the Yankees - he could have taken a very different path all these years and lived a very "good" life. But he has chosen to play his game well and earn every ounce of respect he's being given. Even by Yankee Haters.

Age is cruel and no - he's not having an All Star season, despite this past weekend's achievement. But moments like that - being only the second person to achieve 3000 hits on an HR AND being the only Yankee to do so at all, makes him an All Star even if he's only having an average year.

Derek Jeter makes me still have hope for professional athletes, even amid the Tiger Woods', the Pacman Jones', the Cam Newtons' who care far more about their brand, their payday and themselves than the blessing it is to be where they are.

Congratulations Mr. Jeter.

(PS - WATCH THE US WOMEN's WORLD CUP SEMIFINAL ON WEDS AM. And if you haven't seen the highlights from yesterday's win over Brazil - go spend the time. It's worth it! They were amazing!!!!!!!!!!)

I like a good competition . . .

Really, I do. It's fun to see new and different teams rise to the top of their field all the time.
That said of course, Yankees should always be in the post season. I mean really - is there anything better than baking an apple pie while watching the YANKEES play baseball in October?
Let me answer that for you.

No. There is not.

Now - with that out of the way.The NFL this year is proving to have a pretty exciting season. I was saying this afternoon that you just don't feel like the Patriots and Colts of years past are really the same as the Pats and Colts of '10. And even the Steelers who continue to top the ESPN Power Rankings - there hangs in the air a feeling that just about anything could happen, be it Superbowl Championship or 10 straight losses. I think nothing would surprise us with the Steelers this year.

Frankly - this year has turned into a huge surprise for lots of teams.
- Cowboys cannot win a game. Or - ahem - have only one ONE game
- Packers were touted early for being definite contenders and are suddenly forgettable after a couple injuries
- Despite all the star power, the Bengles are NOT having the season they expected they would
- The Jets are turning into a better team than I think a lot of people might have guessed at the start of the season
- The Vikings are turning into a much worse team than I think a lot of people might have guessed at the start of the season
- The glow of the Chargers has dimmed and it just doesn't seem it's clicking
- Finally the Redskins appear to have the makings of a solid team - despite all the Haynesworth drama
- The Eagles have TWO awesome quarterbacks that apparently can be interchanged!!?? (Careful Kolb and Vick - they turn on the qb's there - even if you're good)!

Don't get me wrong - I want the Steelers to win the Superbowl. I imagine it will be much like seeing the Yankees win the World Series while living in NY, but MAN it's fun to approach every Sunday with the sense that all games matter. All teams matter (well, maybe not for Detroit, SF or Cleveland - but hang in there. Someone's gotta lose), and the race to the ring is really up for grabs.

THIS is why having a championship decided by games and records, not votes and favorites - makes the NFL better than college football. Sure - a practical person would say the Lions should aim for last to get the first draft pick...but truly at this point ANYTHING can happen. In college - you lose twice and you're done. Forget it.
Not in the pro's baby. Anyone can get that ring. And that couldn't be any truer than it is this year.

Forgive me - it's been a bit . . .

I haven't posted this week - I have been distracted by life things . . .job things . . .and the Chilean Mine Rescue

So you know, the Steelers are still number 1 in the power rankings. Sadly #'s 2 and 3 are also AFC teams. Booo. This makes my hopes for attending the Steelers v. Jets game in December all the more exciting all of a sudden. Who would have guessed back in August when I placed my ticket wishlist!!?? We shall see what happens Sunday, but I'm pretty sure if Ben doesn't win Sunday #7 jerseys will be burned in effigy. This town's patience is short.

Other things that remain:

• Brett Favre is a pig, like Tiger.
• Yankees rule and begin their quest for AL supremacy tomorrow night.
• If the Penguins don't start winning at home there will be a riot in Pittsburgh.