The Mighty Jeter Has Struck Out

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Losing some precious things in life has afforded me a perspective on sports. I wish it weren't that way, but it is.

Last night Derek Jeter struck out with two on and two out. The message boards today are riding him hard as a choke artist.

Here comes a little of the perspective.

A baseball player is great if he succeeds 3 out of 10 times. Jeter's batting average in clutch situations is right about there at .300. Last night was a odds-on certainty.

Yet why he is successful is that he has been up at the plate, swinging for the fences, in that very situation way more than almost any other guy. That is what makes him a success.

It's not that he gets a hit every time. It's that he puts himself into position to succeed.

And what does he do when he fails?

He handles it with grace and humility. He congratulates the pitcher for beating him to the spot. He looks ahead...be it the next day...or the next year...for his next chance to succeed.

See why I love baseball?

It breaks life down into these one-on-one battles where you are sure to fail, but where you can position yourself to do something great. No other sport, no other game ever invented breaks it down that way.

You start at home and look to arrive safely home again. You swing and miss more often than you are the hero. You can be great or you can be humbled on a huge stage with the whole world watching.

Jeter is about 30 for 100 in clutch situations.

Most people are 0 for 0.

And that is what I will try and explain to the boys today.

Not to fear failure. Not to believe that your world is crashing down if you swing and miss in front of a million people.

I want them to be standing at the plate with the metaphorical tying run on 3rd with two outs and everyone doubting that it can happen.

Because sometimes you hit a bleeder through the infield and everyone cheers.

Because sometimes you succeed.

Am I disappointed that the Yankees lost?

I suppose.

But I am more heartened by the fact that they have worked to succeed. I've liked the team. A lot of young guys that came through the farm. If they fail this year, they will have most likely learned something about succeeding and how it isn't easy.

Perhaps they will work harder.

Maybe they will blow down those walls in front of them and emerge on the other side.

Who knows? Maybe Jeter will connect.

I know one other thing...a guy like Jeter...will never quit when it gets too tough.

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