MLB Playoffs: Where Is Derek Jeter When the Yankees Need Him?

This setting seemed familiar for someone who has been a Yankees fan as a long as I have.  Derek Jeter was up with two runners on, down by one run with the Yankees down to their last out. 

With good base runners, I was waiting for Jeter to inside-out the ball the other way into right field and at least tie the game. 

This is the Derek Jeter I’ve seen for years.  The Derek Jeter who made unbelievable plays going deep into the hole, jumping into the air and firing a laser to first base. 

The Derek Jeter we all knew as Mr. November as he blasted a walk-off home run against Byung-Hyun Kim in the 2001 World Series.  The Derek Jeter who was an integral part of five Yankee World Series championships between 1996-2000 and again in 2009.

This Derek Jeter was nowhere to be found as I watched him swing through a 98-mile-per-hour fastball from Jose Valverde.  I sat back in disbelief as I heard Ron Darling say this on commentary right before Jeter struck out: “Derek Jeter, 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position this series, with three strikeouts."

Surely, this could not be the Derek Jeter I grew up watching.  I looked back at his postseason last year.  In the 2010 ALCS, Jeter hit .231, well below his career .307 average.

As much as I hate to admit it, I knew his skills had declined and that he was no longer one of the best shortstops in the game.  My heart wants to believe that he can turn back the clock and could still play the role of the hero.

But tonight was a painful reminder that his home run off Byung-Hyun Kim was 10 years ago, a distant memory of the Derek Jeter I once knew.

Can Jeter return to his old form for Game 4?  My heart says yes and I'm hoping that he gets another shot against Valverde late in the game.  My heart wants him to hit the ball deep into the cold, dark Detroit night. 

However, my mind argues against me.  My mind sees what Jeter has done in the past and appreciates his accomplishments.  But my mind tells me, “Let’s hope Jeter walks and gives Granderson and Cano a chance to win it.”  Words I never thought I would say.

In the mind of this longtime Yankees fan, let’s hope I’m wrong and that Jeter can play the hero for the Yankees one more time.