I remember first hearing the term “rookie” when I was five years old at a Yankees game with my dad.
Derek Jeter was at bat and the late Bob Sheppard’s voice boomed over the loudspeaker. For the most part I didn’t pay much attention to what Sheppard was saying, but when I heard him say “rookie” I perked up.
“Dad, what does ‘rookie’ mean?”
“It means it’s his first year playing baseball here. He’s the new guy on the team.”
A future Hall of Famer with just days left in his career, the Yankees captain is a long way from being the new guy on the team. But to this day whenever I hear the word “rookie” I think of the 21-year-old Derek Jeter. Even though 19 years and five World Series championships later, he’s become a legend. Even though Jeter’s entire career passed during the time I grew up, went to college and got my first job, he’s still immortalized as that guy at bat the summer of ’95.
It’s a good reminder that even the best of the best were rookies, once.
Watch Jeter’s touching tribute to fans in this Gatorade ad.
SKETCHING A STORY 
Proud to say, my son was assistant editor for this amazing commercial.
Such a wonderful commercial! Tell your son congrats!
A wonderful peek back in the life of a young Yankee fan. After reading the story,I wondered how many other people young and old remember that day with the same clarity as Sara. We will never know the answer to that question. However, I do feel that if Derek Jeter were to read this article,we would see once again that boyish grin return to the face of the now “old veteran”. Some how I think that to the now adult Sara and all Yankee fans, he will always be that same unspoiled “rookie”. Thanks for reminding us Sara
Thanks for the nice comment Papa! It’s true, I’m sure to many Yankee fans he will always be the “unspoiled rookie.” It’s part of his charm.