Derek Jeter named SI Sportsman of the Year

Derek Jeter has been named SI Sportsman of the Year. I think this is better then winning MVP. Derek Jeter leads a charmed life that is for sure, he won the World Series is dating Minka Kelly and now is Sportsman of the Year. He unlike others has stayed out of trouble on and off the field. I think Derek Jeter is truly a guy you can look up to as in this time there really isn't many that kids can look up to and aspire to be like. I am sure we will have quotes from Jeter later on. Derek Jeter is the first Yankee to win the award and 56th winner overall. He had a spectacular year batting 334 and batting 344 in the postseason and 409 in the World Series living up to his clutch reputation. He also broke Lou Gehrigs team record for most hits during the season and is on his way to becoming the first Yankee to ever record 3000 hits for his career. He also won the Hank Aaron Award and Roberto Clemente award during the postseason. Terry Mcdonell SI's group editor had this to say about Jeter, " Derek Jeter has always presented himself with class, he does numerous good work for the community with his Turn 2 Foundation. The foundation is one of the most effective and efficient foundations of its kind. Derek Jeter is extremely generous not just with him money but his time, which in many cases is more valuable. He also had another signature year on the field." Derek Jeter is the first baseball player to solely win the award since Cal Ripken in 1995.

The Derek Jeter problem

The New York Yankees have a upcoming issue with Derek Jeter. I am sure most of you are thinking what is this guy nuts, how could there be a problem when he is having one of his best seasons all around. The problem is this Derek isn't getting any younger, his contract is up at the end of next year. I would not expect a older Derek Jeter to play SS if his range is severely limited and he just can't play there anymore. Most SS that were offensive players also moved to another position, it is just too physically demanding of a position to stay there, Cal Ripken, Robin Yount and others moved. The problem is this Derek Jeter is not a willing participant if you read some of his comments he is hinting at it. Peter Abraham on his Yankees Lohud Blog had a quote from Jeter where he said he jokes around with Joe Girardi about being a DH in 5 years but then when asked by Peter Abraham could you see a 41 yr old Jeter at DH, he smiled and said you could see a 41 yr old Jeter at SS. The sunday NY post always has a Q and A with a sports star and a few weeks back it was with Jeter and he also said in there that he never thinks about another position because he is a SS and that is where he intends on staying. The problem for the Yankees is this, Derek Jeter is their captain he is beloved and should never be anything other then a Yankee so they may have to do whatever he wants not only with the postion but also his contract but they also have to do what is best for their organization and what they think will be most conducive to them winning. This is going to be a very hard thing to go through and I wouldn't want to be the one to have to go talk to Derek Jeter, stay tuned for the drama.