By Miguel Mike Medina
“The Captain” sports documentary is about Derek Jeter’s life and career. It is one of the most highly anticipated documentaries of 2022. Jeter is one of the most beloved and respected athletes in the history of New York Sports. He wasn’t the greatest shortstop ever, but what made him people gravitate to him was his personality, the way he carried himself on and off the field, and his willingness to win at all costs. Jeter has an incredible work ethic. There’s a reason why he won five championships with the Yankees and should’ve had more.
Episode One of the documentary series is called “No Blueprint for Success,” It focuses on his humble beginnings, how his parents met, how the kids were raised, and where they were raised. Jeter’s parents endured racism because his mother was white and his dad was African American. Interestingly, Jeter’s mom said that in Europe (Germany), where she met Derek’s dad, it wasn’t a big deal about interracial couples, but in the United States, it is a huge deal, and it was tough what they had to go through. Jeter’s parents instilled in both of their kids that they would go through trials and tribulations because of their skin color and to continuously work hard in anything they set out to do.
Derek Jeter said during the episode that his father taught him a lot about being a fierce competitor. He didn’t allow Derek to win at anything. It’s a valuable lesson that nothing comes easy and quickly in life. You have to go out there and work for it. You have to earn it. That’s an excellent parenting skill. Another great example of parenting skills and why a father’s presence in their kids’ life is vital is when Jeter was feeling homesick and wanted to go back home because he was struggling in his first year in the minors.
The Yankees drafted Jeter as the 6th overall pick in the 1992 Draft. Jeter was discouraged that he didn’t go into the Too five pick of the draft, but it all worked out. He’s playing for the team he always wanted to play for New York Yankees. Houston and Cincinnati had a chance to draft him, but they dropped the ball. It’s great footage to see of Jeter and his family celebrate when they called him name in the Draft.
Tony Fernandez getting injured during the 1995 season was a blessing in disguise for Jeter. He got called up and made his debut in Seattle. It’s the same city where he collected his first hit.
1995 was the beginning of many great things to come. Yankees took advantage and won the first American League Wild Card. They made the playoffs for the first time since 1981. Although Jeter wasn’t on the playoff roster, he got to get a taste of the playoff atmosphere in the Bronx by watching it from the dugout. The Yankees squandered a 2-0 series lead to the Mariners. Jeter was upset because he wanted to win and he wants to contribute. At the time, little did we all know that it would be the beginning of a dynasty.
Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars
Important Notes and Observations:
– Great way to use Nas’s “The World is Yours” music while showing highlights of the 1994 Yankees season. They were in the first place before the strike happened. The fact that they used a song like that one was surprising but enjoyable. 1994 was an unforgettable year for New York sports because of the success of the New York Knicks and New York Rangers.
– Gene Michael is the one who built that dynasty team. He was responsible for drafting guys like Bernie Williams, Derek Jeter, and the rest of the Core Four members (Posada, Mariano, and Pettitte). God knew what he was doing when George Steinbrenner was gone as the owner for two years. Thank the good lord for Gene Michael. May god rest his soul.
Miguel Mike Medina is the publisher of The MMM Journal. He can be reached at medinamiguelmike@gmail.com and themmmjournal@gmail.com
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