Derek Jeter Shines Beyond the Stats

(Jeff Curry, USA Today Sports)

Five World Series Rings. 14-Time All-Star. Five Gold Gloves. The Captain.

Although Derek Jeter might not sit atop the statistical categories that are used to determine “all-time greats” he cannot be judged statistically. Fans will not remember his sub par WAR or his lack of range defensively. They will remember his charisma, his love of the game and his ability to play 20 seasons for a team in the heart of the media spotlight and never have a scandal associated with his name.

People can criticize his farewell tour as being overblown and unnecessary. Keith Olbermann can destroy Jeter’s statistical standing in the history books and place him on the outside of the top-10 greatest Yankees of all-time. We can sit and complain about the #2 patch on the Yankees’ hats and jerseys. But the fact is that Jeter does not thrive off the attention. If he could, I’m sure he would prefer just to step away from the game quietly when the final out is made in Fenway Park, September 28th.

It is the public who is requiring Jeter to go through this myriad of celebratory days, patches and parting gifts. We as fans, deserve this tour. We deserve the opportunity to look towards home plate and cheer for Jeter as he enters the box. We deserve the chance to say thank you to The Captain.

For 20 seasons Jeter showed up the ballpark and played the game the right way. He embodies what we all hope future baseball generations will bring. Work hard every day, be the best teammate, play the game with respect. When Jeter plays his final game he will be remembered for those things.

Kids will reenact the iconic “Jeter Jump” throw from deep in the hole at short. Fans will remember "The Flip" to the plate in the 7th inning in Game 3 of the 2001 American League Division Series. We will remember "The Dive" into the stands against Boston in 2004. We will remember his 3,000th hit as it left Yankee Stadium (and the fan giving the ball back to Jeter).

Jeter was not a statistical marvel who should be looked up to for his insane batting average or on-base percentage. He was an icon of the game. He was Mr. Clutch. He was The Captain. And he will always be Number 2 Derek Jeter, Number 2.

Sue Enquist: The Core of a Champion

By Jordan Niespodziany

(Originally posted on TigerRag)

Photo courtesy of sueenquist.com

Sue Enquist was not always a champion.  She was not the biggest, smartest, or strongest person in the room.  Reflecting back on her youth she remembers struggling academically and having to read from the “special books.”  Although she had a rough start, her determination and ability to learn allowed her to achieve success later in life.  On Wednesday night Enquist took the stage in Kresge Auditorium and shared her powerful message with DePauw athletes and coaches.

Basketball Diplomacy

By Jordan Niespodziany

(Originally posted on TigerRag)

Former NBA star, Dennis Rodman, recently visited North Korean supreme leader, Kim Jong-un, as part of a weeklong trip to film a TV documentary. While the Obama administration chose to distance itself from the visit claiming it was simply sports, a report from the U.S. State Department has been critical of the visit. The report said that the North Korean government should allocate their funds to their starving nation and not towards celebrity visitors. During his visit, Rodman attended a basketball game with Kim and enjoyed a night filled with fine dining and plenty of drinks.

LeBron James, Undeniably Great

What LeBron James has been able to do the last 7 games is undeniably incredible. Scoring 30+ points and shooting 69% (80-116) from the floor during the stretch. He is having one of the best single season performances I have ever seen. One of the most amazing things about his current stretch is that he has managed to score 30+ points while Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh are also scoring 20 or more points. James is making the most of his opportunities and is the leading candidate for MVP.

With great success comes great comparison and in this case, James has big shoes to fill; Air Jordan’s to be exact. We call him King James, The Akron Hammer and The L-Train. Why do sports fans feel the need to call him the next MJ? Better yet, why even try?

Lance Will Always Livestrong

Cheater.  Liar.  Doper.  Hero?

Lance Armstrong will go down as one of the greatest athletes to ever be knocked off the mountain.  His ride from deathbed to "champion" was marked and marred by yellow jackets, court cases and drug tests.  Armstrong became a household name in no time at all.  His 7 consecutive Tour de France titles ranked among the top individual achievements in the sporting world.

Recent decisions made by USADA and the UCI have cemented Armstrong's place in cycling infamy.  With the removal of his 7 tour victories and his lifetime ban, he now ranks #1 on a new list.  Armstrong is now the most famous name to grace the doping circus that is professional cycling.  He cheated and won in a sport full of cheaters.  Granted this may speak to just how sophisticated of an operation he was running, but when it comes down to it the facts are simple.  Lance Armstrong cheated better than his competitors and his continued successes both on and off the bike created animosity between his fellow riders.  Jealousy was the motivating factor leading to Armstrong's downfall.  Almost every individual who testified against him had been caught doing the exact same thing.

The Meltdown at Medinah

Let me give you a scenario.

You are the American Ryder Cup captain.  It is Saturday night, end of day 2.  You lead the European team 10-6 and Tiger Woods and his playing partner Steve Stricker have gone 0-3.  Most of you would probably think I'm crazy and say it's impossible.

For Davis Love III this was a reality.

Entering Sunday leading by 4 the majority of American sports fans and analysts, myself included, thought the US had all but won the Ryder Cup.  Only one time in the history of the Ryder Cup has a side came back from a 4-point deficit.

The Most Relevant, Irrelevance

January 2, 1989
Sunkist Fiesta Bowl, National Championship Game
Notre Dame 34  West Virginia 21

It was so long ago that most people who attend the University of Notre Dame weren't even born the last time the Irish stood atop the college football world.  Since Dr. Lou, 6 different coaches (Yea I counted George O'Leary and Kent Baer) have called South Bend home.  There has been an onslaught of criticism about the relevance of Notre Dame when it comes to college football powerhouses.  I'll be the first person to admit that going to the Hawaii Bowl sounds more like a vacation than a postseason honor.

There have been blowouts, letdowns, "Bush Pushes" and Clausen punches, but through all the disappointments and controversies relevance has never left.  How many schools have a national television station knocking on their door every home game?  How many schools can control their own destiny and remain football independent through the current conference realignment?