The Greatness of Derek Jeter

I am a little late with a spring training story as pitchers and catchers reported two weeks ago now. But I have been reading Francona: The Red Sox Years -- the autobiography of former Red Sox manager Terry Francona. The first sport I loved was baseball. When my family moved to Baltimore, Maryland in 1975, we moved walking distance from where the Orioles played at Memorial Stadium, and I changed from being a New York Yankees fan to a Baltimore Orioles fan. We saw a lot of games in that park. When we went to games, we always stayed until the last out. That was a rule. We did not leave early.

So I was interested to read that Terry Francona the Red Sox manager developed a special relationship with Derek Jeter of the arch rival New York Yankees. That relationship of mutual respect grew partly from the 2008 All-Star game that Francona managed and that went 15 innings. In the 14th inning Francona was running out of pitchers and J.D. Drew catches a deep fly ball from Pittsburgh Pirate Nate McLouth to end the inning. Here is the excerpt from the book.

"It wouldn't have killed me if that ball went out," said the manager.
 Jeter looked puzzled. He knew home field in the World Series was on the line. More than a lot of players, Jeter cared.
"Aw, I think we can win the Series on the road," Francona said with a laugh. 
He loved the fact that Jeter stuck around after he was pulled from the game. Many players left the bench, even the ballpark when they were pulled from All-Star Games. Not Jeter. Not at Yankee Stadium. Not anywhere. 

Maybe it was just the context of this small story, but it summed up to me why Derek Jeter will always be loved in New York. He cares. Yes, he is one of the greatest baseball players ever, but what separates him from other exceptionally talented and accomplished players is little things like how he acts during the 2008 All-Star game. Jeter differentiates himself in what would appear to many as a very small act -- he does not leave.

Jeter stays until the end instead of heading back to the clubhouse or even leaving the stadium and  beating traffic like many other players do. He stays the full 15 innings even though his role in the outcome of the game is basically over. I don't think A-Rod would have done the same.

What is the difference between good work and great work? I am not sure, but just like Francona noticed, I will remember this Derek Jeter story as sometimes the difference is a simple action that anyone can do but most people don't.