Derek Jeter on the Quest for 3,000: Is the Pressure Getting to Him?

Just like any other sports fan, I like to start my morning off watching ESPN First Take. Skip Bayless, the man we love to hate, thinks that there's a hidden reason to why Derek Jeter hasn't reached 3,000 hits yet—pressure. 

When you think about Derek Jeter, you think about the face of the Yankees, a five-time World Series Champion and a five-time Gold Glove winner. 

Does this sound like a man that feels any pressure? On paper, no. But in reality, yes. He's human just like the rest of us.

No matter how many tests you take in your lifetime, you're going to get a little nervous before take one. The same applies for driving a car or anything else you do.

Derek Jeter has been in the league since 1995, but there's no way he doesn't feel at least a little bit of pressure every time he steps on to the mound.

Take the pressure you and I feel from taking a test or driving a car, and compound it by a million--that's the pressure Derek Jeter is feeling right now.

How can he not be? He's the first Yankee in history to be this close to 3,000 hits. 

The Yankees, the team with 27 World Series Championships. A ridiculous number in its own right, but that just shows how much more pressure is put on Jeter.

A-Rod has a shot to do it down the road, but Jeter's been a Yankee his entire life.

He's a true professional and a role model to many. But like I said before, he's still human.

The injuries, the media, all the hype and yes the pressure is all taking it's toll on the Yankees Captain. Hopefully he'll get to 3,000 this weekend back home, so we can finally put all this behind us.  

I'm curious as to what you guys think about this. Do you think Skip Bayless is right in claiming the pressure is getting to him? Or do you think it's something else?

Please leave a comment below.