THE METER IS STILL RUNNING

Yes, it was painful to watch a diminished version of Jeter.  After all, he has been a player with the physical ability to excel and one who had been brilliant since 1996. I was having a tough time believing a bright baseball career was folding right before my eyes, and, as is the matter with life in general, we all have a hard time grasping the end.  The echoes were rampant: Jeter no longer embodies the player he once was.  It was not a complete stretch to have a smidge of doubt, Considering that he's 37, played daily and was starting to show the wear and tear of 17 big league seasons. Was all this now taking a toll.

Jeter is a strong minded person, but he is also human and the constant pressure of the 3,000 hit plateau along with the daily grind and dissection of the New York Press, had to feed some level of anxiety.  On the other side of the spectrum, Jeter knows how to be great and has proven his brilliance.

Since returning from DL, he's hitting the ball with more authority as is evident by the increase in his LD% (19.7%-July, 36.0%-August).  Thus, he is sporting a considerably better BABIP (.343 July, .461 August).

The numbers are dynamic: Since July 4 (Elias), Jeter is batting .353 (61 for 173) with 10 doubles, 2 triples, 2HR and 27RBI in 42 games.  He's batting .417 (35 for 84) in August and has not hit above .390 in a calendar month since 2006.  After hitting his 3,000 hit, he's batting .368 (57 for 155).

Jeter has an unwavering determination and is not afraid to fail, and even if his baseball skills have tapered some, his resilience and loyalty has not.  That's why Derek Jeter's our captain.