Congrats, Jeter

In the world of baseball, there are moments that redefine the game.  Moments that forever alter how we view a player, a team, and the sport itself.  It can happen in the blink of an eye, or over time.  But in either situation, as a fan, it can sometimes cause ultimate frustration, or ultimate joy.

Today marks an important day in the world of baseball.  For today, "Derek Jeter has become the 28th player in Major League Baseball history to get 3,000 hits, and the first to reach the milestone as a New York Yankee. The star shortstop joins Cal Ripken Jr. and Honus Wagner as the only three players at the position to reach 3,000. He is the sixth player in to accomplish the feat in 17 seasons or fewer (http://tiny.cc/2gmq4)."

That an amazing milestone for any player to reach.  As a baseball fan, I marvel at this accomplishment.  As a fan who also loathes anything Yankee related, it is bittersweet to watch this player reach such a lofty spot in a circle of very few.  This circle includes Mr. Jeter at 3,000, all the way up to Pete Rose at 4,256.  Mixed in between you will also find Carl "Yaz" Yastrzemski (3,419), Hank Aaron (3,771), and Ty Cobb (4,191).  Due to my loyalty to other teams, I am just happy this accomplishment happened on another team's clock and not that of my Angels or Red Sox players.  And from this day forward, we will be hearing about when he surpasses others before him.  It is likely he will surpass several before the end of the season, a fact I strongly am against due to who some of the other players are.

In all that is good within baseball, for all the loyalty I feel toward my teams, and the desire to not see the Yankees have another World Series ring bestowed upon their nicely paid fingers, I also feel the need to congratulate him on this.  While this is the ultimate test of character as a baseball fan, I also recognize that regardless of how I may feel about his employer, previous mishaps that left me scratching my head, and again, who is employer may be, I also recognize it is better to be that person who is bigger than that.  Sportsmanship does not always mean you will always get your way (hello, anyone hear about that 86 year drought the Red Sox had between World Series wins?); sportsmanship means you are able to rise above, offer congratulations where and when they are needed.  It means that, for the love of a great sport, you will acknowledge a job well done. 

And so, as a baseball fan, congratulations Derek Jeter.  May you always do your best, and may you always do your best while being honest in your abilities and efforts...