TAMPA — The Yankees need to find a way to make Derek Jeter a Yankee for Life. There’s really only one way. At some point the Steinbrenner family would have to take him into the ownership group.
The Yankees will take the field today for the first time as defending 2009 World Champions when they host the Pirates at George M. Steinbrenner field. Fresh red, white and blue World Series Champions logos have been painted on the first and third base sides of the field.
Jeter, of course, is in the final year of his 10-year, $189 million contract. The Yankees and Jeter will come together on a new deal at some point, but Jeter needs to be a Yankee for Life and there is a way to make him one. The Yankees need to work out a deal with Jeter where they allow him to become part of Yankees ownership after his playing days are complete. Players cannot be part of ownership, so this would have to be a separate deal.
As it stands now, most certainly, Jeter will follow the player-to-ownership path of Michael Jordan. Jordan should have been with the Bulls for life, but wound up a Wizard at the end of his playing career and over the weekend became principal owner of the Charlotte Bobcats.
Jeter is set on being an owner when his playing days are done. Without specifically talking about the Yankees, Jeter told The Post yesterday that being an owner is “definitely a goal of mine.”
One thing is certain, Derek Jeter attains his goals. So you can be sure he will be an MLB owner somewhere. Imagine if, down the road, Jeter becomes part of the ownership group of the Tampa Rays, with his team battling the Yankees every year in the AL East.
It would make for great theater, but it just wouldn’t be right. Jeter needs to be a Yankee for Life.
There never will be another George Steinbrenner, but imagine the buzz of having Jeter as part of the ownership group. He could be Boss II. What better owner could the Yankees have than Jeter?
When Jeter was asked why he wants to be an owner, he delivered the perfect answer: “Get to call the shots.” And what’s the most important thing for an organization to have? “Discipline,” Jeter responded. “That’s what I learned here, that would be first.”
That’s the kind of answer George would love.
Jeter will be a championship owner just as he is a championship player. He has five rings and is looking for No. 6. The quest to make the Yankees a World Championship team begins anew on the field today. The Yankees had their annual Joe Girardi “team bonding” outing yesterday, a day of video games, a class trip that brings the players together. It’s Girardi’s way of making the Yankees family.
Jeter is only thinking about how these Yankees can defend their championship. He made it clear he is not “consumed” right now with being an owner, but said the idea “has always been appealing.”
The shortstop remains the glue to this team. He is coming off another magnificent season, batting .334 with a .406 on-base percentage. He’ll turn 36 on June 26. He is getting better with age.
Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson, who is extremely close to Jeter, knows Jeter will continue in this game in a big way even when his playing days are complete.
“Jeter will be an owner one day,” Reggie said. “That will happen. He wants to be an owner. I’m sure he knows enough people to help with money. He knows the path.”
Where will that ownership path take him? It should take him through The Bronx. Jeter should be a Yankee for Life.