Derek Jeter

There are many reasons why Derek Jeter is an exceptional baseball player. But the top two reasons in my book is that he is a great all-around athlete who has amazing instincts on the baseball field.

You hear about Derek Jeter's instincts all the time, but what does this really mean?

Photo by the AP

I'll give you an example. Have you ever watched an opposing base runner get caught in a run down between bases? Have you ever watched a run down with Jeter holding the ball?

Most baseball players who begin the run down process while playing defense will cock the ball up in the air, run towards the base runner, and systematically throw the ball to a team mate who is supposed to follow the same routine in the opposite direction. The theory is that evenually, one of your team mates will catch up to the base runner caught between bases and tag him out.

I don't know about you, but when the Yankees have an opposing player in a run down, I don't feel comfortable unless Jeter has the ball.

When you watch Jeter execute a run down, you can see that he isn't just following a lame, predictable routine that he was taught in little league. He is usually able to get the base runner out all by himself by using his quickness and terrific fake-throws. Not only that, he executes the best run downs in the league while remaining acutely aware of the rest of the field and other base runners.

Case in point: last season - I don't remember which team they were playing against - Derek had the ball while a base runner was caught between second and third and another base runner was on first.

Using his quickness and pump fakes, he caught up to the lead runner halfway between 2nd and 3rd. The camera was focused on the run down, so viewers couldn't see what the runner on first base was doing. Neither could Derek since he was focused on tagging out the lead runner.

But as soon as he laid his glove on the lead baserunner, in the same motion, he lept off his left foot, swirled his body 180 degrees, and threw a sharp fastball to second base where the Yankees second baseman tagged the other base runner out, who was trying to steal second during the run down.

That's just one of many examples that I can think of from Derek's first decade in the big leagues that illustrates his athleticism and instincts.

Photo by the AP

Derek is also known for his ability to hit the ball with power to all fields. Derek has hit a home run to the upper deck in right field in Yankees stadium twice during his career. He has also hit a home run off the facing of the upper deck. That's some serious pop to the opposite field.

While many players focus on building muscle mass and strength during the off season, Derek focuses on building strength and flexibility, as he believes that flexibility is essential to being a elite all-around athlete.

Look for Derek Jeter to win at least another 2-3 championships before he hangs up his cleats. His work ethic, talent, and competitiveness, combined with the focus and resources of Yankees management will go a long way towards helping him win a few more World Series rings.