I know, I know… For the past week or so I have railed against Derek Jeter for being voted as the starting SS for the American League; and yes I was even happy when Jeter decided his calf was still healing  so he shouldn’t play in the All-Star game.

But……

Derek Jeter was voted by the fans as the starting SS (foolish vote), he owes to the fans and I will even say it owes to baseball to be around All-Star festivities.  With the NFL and NBA in lockouts, this is an opportunity for baseball to shine and who better than the newest member of the 3000th hit club to highlight those festivities.  Jeter’s lame excuse for not attending the All-Star game was to rest his calf; the same calf that looked perfectly fine legging out doubles against the Tampa Bay Rays last weekend.  Even IF his excuse was legitimate he still should have been in Arizona to celebrate baseball.

I mean if it weren’t for baseball would we even know about Derek Jeter?

If not for baseball would Derek Jeter have made over $250 Million dollars (in salary) in his career?

So basically Jeter took the money he made for making the All-Star game; $500K to be exact and gave the finger to Baseball and the fans.  If I sound harsh, GREAT!!!

Fans come from all over to see the All-Stars and imagine how great it would have been for fans to see Jeter and take pics and get an autograph from Mr. 3,000.  I hate to remind Jeter but baseball is his job and sometimes we have to do things we don’t want to do but we SHOULD do!  Besides this could be the last All-Star game Derek Jeter will be elected to; it would be terrible if this is his lasting memory as an All-Star.

Lastly it seems like The Captain failed to remember what Joe DiMaggio “The Yankee Clipper” once said,

“There is always some kid who may be seeing me for the first or last time, I owe him my best.”

If there is something to be said, “It’s On Broadway” to step up and say it!!