The Girl Who Loved Derek Jeter

By Valerie Wood

October 23, 2004

Perhaps it’s ironic that I’m a big Stephen King fan, knowing how much he is a Red Sox fanatic. Well, no one is perfect, I suppose; so I can overlook that glaring fault. Several years ago, when Tom Gordon was a Red Sox reliever (now he’s a reliever with the Yankees), King wrote a book called The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon. In a nutshell, it’s about a 9 year old girl who gets lost in the woods, separated from her mother and brother, with only a few items with her, including her walkman. She listens to the Red Sox games and imagines reliable, sturdy pitcher Tom Gordon speaking to her, helping her, as she tries to find her way in the horrifying darkness.

After one has followed various sports for so many years, and we’ve all had our favorite teams, favorite players – well let’s just say that it takes a truly exceptional person to come along and capture my attention and loyalty to the extent that I consider myself a fan of theirs. Not only athletic prowess, but other intangible qualities like leadership, responsibility, intelligence, sincerity, determination and accountability are all intangible factors which I find admirable, and are all traits I see in Yankees team captain Derek Jeter. Some players just stand out from the first time you watch them.

For Yankees’ fans, who are accustomed to seeing some of the best baseball players in the world play on their team over the years, Jeter has been a strong presence since he came to the team. And, frankly, while Yankee fans never tire of seeing their team make it to the World Series (after all, the Yanks have been World Champions 25 times in the history of baseball), even falling short this year doesn’t really take away from the teamwork and quality of play that the team fields every year. Oh sure, we hear all about Mr. Steinbrenner’s huge payroll—but like in most every aspect of life, you get what you pay for. If a team owner is a cheapskate and only interested in trying to take a city for every penny he can pinch out of it, and doesn’t put money and quality back into the team and onto the field—it shows. While you certainly can’t buy class, you also can’t make a silk purse, as they say, out of a sow’s ear.

After winning the first three games of the American League Championship Series, most people assumed that the 40th AL pennant in franchise history would be delivered before the team left Fenway Park. But when hugely reliable Mariano Rivera blew Game 4 and Tom Gordon, who has been stalwart in the Yankees’ bullpen this season, blew Game 5 (curse you, Stephen King!!). the Red Sox seized the momentum and rode it to a four-game winning streak, ending the Yankees' hopes of a return to the Fall Classic.

"We had four games to win one, and we didn't do it," said Derek Jeter. "They were better than us, that's the bottom line. Those guys didn't give up."

Last week, football’s Jerry Rice was traded to the Seahawks. Steve Largent gave permission for Jerry to use Largent’s retired #80. Not even a question about that. Quality recognizes quality. Two elegant, superbly gifted athletes that have shown their exceptional abilities both on and off the field recognize themselves in each other. The truly gifted are usually generous in their recognition of the comparatively few others who share their extraordinary talents. True grace is a selfless thing.

Am I happy that Boston beat my team? Of course not. But, I’ll get over it. Boston showed a grit and determination this year the likes of which I haven’t seen out of them in many, many years. They are an organization that has built itself up, acquiring individuals who have talent, ability and leadership, and can work together as a team. Much like the Yankees have done over the past several years after rebuilding under Joe Torre. Derek Jeter became team captain after Don Mattingly retired, and has proven himself to be the natural successor in the role.

Is the “curse” over because they beat the Yankees for the division title? Of course not. For the curse to end, Boston will have to beat the National League champs in the World Series. Still, the Red Sox showed grace under pressure, and won the only four games that counted. It will be up to them to try and end the so-called curse.

And just think—next year, they can play the Yankees again. I know Derek is certainly looking forward to that. So am I.

For information on Valerie Wood's novel, Enforcer, visit http://www.enforcer.fcpages.com/ (Official Website for Enforcer) or http://www.1stbooks.com/bookview/14441 (Publisher's Website/read an excerpt).

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