Derek Jeter has been one of the prime shortstops in this generation. He has been playing on one of baseball’s most revered teams. Even those who can’t stand the Yankees have to own up to the nostalgia they have brought to New York and to baseball.

Since Jeter has been on the team, he has been loved and hated by many. He has pulled off some of the craziest plays at his position. And, oh yeah, he helped the Bombers win four World Series rings.

He has the second largest contract deal, earning $189 million for a 10-year deal signed in 2001. His contract is just behind teammate Alex Rodriguez’s $275 million guaranteed money for his 10-year deal signed just last year.

Jeter has been the poster boy for the Yankees since the ‘90s. If people hate the Yankees, they hate Jeter twice as much. And the opposite is true for those who love the Yankees.

The point is that when you think New York Yankees, you think of Derek Jeter as the shortstop. He has been added to the list of players that are known as Yankee captains.

His ackolades add up. Jeter has had a great carrer with a great team.

However, some changes have occurred in his monumental career that can make someone question whether his heart is in the same place as it used to be. You could even go far as to say that he has lost his youthful spirit to play the game.

Last year when the Yankees were celebrating in the locker room after making the playoffs, Jeter failed to join in the action. He just stood to the side and let the “young guys” celebrate the victory. It used to be that he would join right in, no hestitation.

In fact during the one World Series celebration, he sprayed someone with champagn while they were being interviewed.

Some could argue that it is his age that is preventing him from joining in, but he wasn’t the oldest guy in the locker room.

One more thing; He loved spring training when he first started. He could not wait for it to start and to put on the cleats and play baseball.

Now, he says the spring training is too long and he does not want to play so many games before the season starts. This does not sound like the same man.

Still good for the game

Jeter is still a great name in baseball. If he stays with the Yankees, he has a great shot of getting his number retired. If he keeps up his stats, when he retires he will be guaranteed a spot in Cooperstown.

It all depends on which Jeter is going to show up for his remaining years in pinstripes. There is no denying the impact that he has had on the game of baseball. Love him or hate him, he will cross those white lines for the most hated team in baseball.

Fans are still excited to see him play and show up to see him work. For the Yankees’ sake, let’s hope that the Jeter of old returns to the field again and not the one who doesn’t join in team celebrations and no longer likes spring training.