Shortstop Well Centered

Monster Yankee infielder found golf seven years ago and now plays to benefit the Turn 2 Foundation.

by Mia Ricci with Rafael Martinez

Derek Jeter‘‘I’ve always thought that in playing professional sports you have the chance to speak out and give back. Helping all the kids over the years has been really gratifying, especially when you see one kid’s smile. Everyone knows that when you reach just one person everything is worth it, but we have touched the lives of so many people.”

Jeter’s problem with winning has yielded impressive results thus far. There is, however, one more thing that he has yet to master. “I’ve always thought that golf was going to be easy,” Jeter says, “but when I finally played, it was pretty difficult. The most challenging thing about the game for me is how up and down it goes. You can be outstanding for one hole, and for the next hole it can completely evaporate. Trying to maintain consistsentcy is difficult.” Jeter first picked up the club around seven years ago- when Douglas Biro, his childhood friend since the fourth grade, introduced him to the game.

“I still remember that day. I was actually very impressed by how far he could hit the golf ball,” says Biro, a tour player. “He’s a good golfer now, the only problem is that he only gets to play during the off season. He plays a lot during that time and gets really good at it by the end, but then he has to give it up until the following year. But since the time that we first played together, Derek has consistently gotten better every single season.” Jeter is still shy about his handicap, which he says is “not good,” but he’s determined to get better. By one hinted estimate, the number is no higher than 14. “I need help. I’m trying to get Tiger to help me,” he says of the man whose focus and determination he admires a great deal. “My parents actually bought me this golf putting green set for Christmas because my golf game is nothing to brag about,” Jeter says in his book Game Day: My Life On and Off the Field. “They thought it would help me improve, but I don’t think I’m getting any better! It’s a sport that requires a lot of patience and skill. Unfortunately, when I play I usually end up hitting houses and cars. I think it’s safe to say that I won’t be leaving baseball to join a PGA tour anytime soon,” he says humbly.

Biro, however, thinks differently. “From a golf stand point he looks at it more as enjoyment. It allows him to relax when he’s on the course. But I can tell you this, he is going to be a great golfer because even though [golfing] is always fun to him, he still has that competitive side. He’s constantly improving himself and wants to bring out the best in his game. I think when he retires from baseball and plays more on a year round basis he is going to be great.” Although Jeter is shy about his golf skills, he’s not shy about his love for the game. “I love the fact that you can go out there with whoever you want, for four hours or more, and just be on the course. It’s quiet on the course, and no one bothers you, no one disturbs you. It’s just you against the course. I love that.”

“Golf also teaches you things that are useful in life,” Jeter says, “You have to have patience in golf, just like you do in life. And you also have to stay positive, no matter what. That’s what makes you come back the next day, what keeps you going. In golf, if you have a good swing, remember that one good swing. It’ll bring you back the next day.” With all that he has on his plate, it appears that golf is not his only aspiration for the next phase of his life. “I will be retired from baseball, but still trying to figure the golf thing. Hopefully by then I’ll have a family. And professionally, I love baseball, man. I will always love playing baseball but I know there are certain limitations with that, with time, etc. I will try to play for as long as I can. After that, I want to be an owner. I would love to own a team.” So does Jeter hope to buy out Steinbrenner someday? “For that he’d have to pay me a lot more while I am playing,” says Jeter with a wry smile.

What is it that brings you personal happiness, aside from baseball and the foundation work? I’m with my friends a lot. I have a really close group of friends. I think that’s what makes me happiest. You know, we don’t have to go anywhere we can just be at a house and do whatever. And I think just being around good people, and all of my friends are good people. I think that’s the biggest thing for me. That’s what brings me happiness, that’s what keeps me grounded. Most of the friends that I have I’ve had for a long time.

Favorite cities to visit? Off season I like Miami, anywhere where it’s warm really. The Bahamas. I like Puerto Rico a lot. As for baseball I like Toronto and Baltimore. I really like warm weather a lot.

Do you have a philosophy on golf? Well one is to have fun, because golf can be so frustrating. You go out there and get a couple good shots and you think you have it but next thing you know you lose it. My main philosophy is to have good company.

Where would you most like to play? I actually haven’t really been around (different golf courses) at all. I usually play here in Tampa, I’ve been to a couple different courses in Florida, some in Puerto Rico and Vegas, and that’s pretty much it. I know one place that I would NOT want to play at though. The British Open. With those weather conditions. It won’t help me at all.

If you were in a golf tournament, who would be your dream picks for your foursome? Jackie Robinson, I think he’s great. MJ and Tiger.

Was Robinson an inspiration to you? No question. I’m a baseball nut. I know a lot about the history. I actually have had a lot of opportunities to meet with his wife and his daughter, but I never got the chance to meet him. But I’ve hear so many stories about him, especially from them. And I learned that he spent a lot of time on the golf course. I,wanted to experience that first hand.

Last question: Your motto for life? Live it every day. Day by day. Make sure you enjoy yourself because tomorrow is promised to noon.