2nd to None

"Ring leader...set it off, rap Derek Jeter..."

Ghostface Killah - Mighty Healthy

A few days ago the New York Yankees made me the happiest I've been in a baseball off season in a long time. (I was so happy that I changed the avatar on my twitter page)

Home Base

I love baseball. It's the type of game that never ceases to teach me something new...be it another nuance of the game, or some historical aspect from it's vast history. The interesting thing about this sport is that in order to really get into it, someone needs to introduce you...and it was my family and friends in NYC that opened my mind to the national pastime. Since it was a New York audience to showed me the game, I naturally became a Yankees fan. I also happen to cheer for the Lakers, and Duke, so I'm just an all-around bad person.

Nevertheless, I have a few moments as a Yankees fan that I will remember forever...bar none, at the top of the list is the first time I met Derek Jeter. He was hosting a Jordan Brand event at Niketown New York a week after he dove into the Yankee Stadium crowd to record an out against the rival Red Sox. (July 1, 2004) Not only did my sister and I meet him, but I also had an opportunity to chat for a while and take a picture. I've interviewed and spoken to him since then, and he always remembers me.

Fast forward to the present day, and it was looking sketchy on whether or not the Bronx Bombers would resign him. I don't care what his numbers were last season, or that he is getting older...at the end of the day Derek Jeter is a Yankee, now, forever, and always.

I was elated to see that both sides came to a 3-year incentive based deal over the weekend.

Now that Jeter and the Sandman have been retained, the team is focused on getting the lefty Cliff Lee. If he signs anywhere else, I will be extremely surprised...and speaking of surprises, Jayson Werth made headlines signing a stunning deal with the Nationals...good luck with that...and just know that Phillies fans might boo you a few times next year since you stayed within the division...and you don't have to take my word for it, just call Donovan McNabb.

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