Yes Fans, There is a Tomorrow

Sports figures retire differently depending on the sport. Many football players retire either before or right near the beginning of preseason football camp. With all the past injuries that they’ve encountered and realizing that they don’t heal as fast as they once did or the talent they once possessed isn’t coming back retirement is the best way to save face and not bring about unnecessary embarrassment.

We’ve seen so many players that sign a one-day contract with the team that meant the most to them and becomes the place they wish to retire from. I think that shows a lot of class and respect for an organization that did a lot for them as players and as individuals.

We seldom see a football player announce that a certain season would be there last. We’ve seen a lot of baseball players that have decided to play one more season and then call it quits. This gives the organization a chance to have that great send off and do a special tribute to the aging veteran that grew up in front of thousands of fans.

It also allows other teams to give meaningful gifts to a well-respected foe. Certain players like Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter definitely fit this group of players. Having star appeal, greatness and a true respect for the game allows players like this to do a “final tour” and receive the accolades that they’ve truly earned.

On Sunday it was Derek Jeter’s turn to receive a tribute from the New York Yankees. Jeter will always be remembered as the consummate winner that gave it his best shot and would always sprint to first no matter where the ball was hit.

It is difficult to cheer for a Yankee but Jeter is a ballplayer that respects the game, therefore I respect Derek Jeter. I knew a couple of people growing up that were Yankee fans and would cheer for anyone wearing pinstripes no matter what kind of person they were in street clothes.

I too had a tendency at times to like a certain ballplayer believing that somehow they were a different person when they were in uniform. I’m not that way anymore. I can have disdain for someone that isn’t a team player or has a problem with drugs or their families.

Maybe the reason that some players retire before or after a season finishes is because they aren’t worthy of star status and quietly move on without much fanfare.

Fans are fickle in their beliefs, as they can’t imagine their team without the big name star player. It is hard for them to imagine that that person will no longer be wearing the uniform of their favorite team. So does this mean that baseball as we know it will no longer exist in Yankee stadium nest season?

The game went on after Lou Gehrig could no longer play or Babe Ruth moved on to the Boston Braves or Joe DiMaggio hung up his cleats or Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle and so many other great Yankees realized their best days were behind them.

The difference we see when ballplayers retire is that most of them never want to quit playing. They are having too much fun especially when they are so successful. But bodies deteriorate with age and stress and the plays that were once easy to make can’t be done so easily anymore.

Most players know when it is time and it usually takes place in the off season when maintaining a proper weight, strength conditioning and running all becomes drudgery and looking forward to the upcoming season does not come with happy thoughts.

For fans the memories of a Derek Jeter will always be there but it is also important for his replacement to be accepted. Committing an error now and then or striking out with the bases loaded in the ninth inning is a part of the game no matter how good a player is. And yes, those things even happened to Derek Jeter during his illustrious 20-year career.

There will be a season to look forward to next year for all of the teams no matter who is traded or who retires or which young prospect breaks through to the big club. It is a part of the evolution of the game and a chance for that next great group of ball players to get their chance to fill the mighty big shoes of those former all stars.