TAMPA — Reality really bites.
Even Derek Jeter understands. Jeter’s greatest strength is his will. He’s always been able to overcome obstacles by willing himself to succeed. That ability has taken him to an iconic place in Yankees history.
There’s Babe Ruth and then there is Derek Jeter, in my mind; those are the top two in terms of their golden place with Yankees fans.
One of the biggest items to come out of yesterday’s press conference with general manager Brian Cashman, who was kneeling on his rehab scooter as he talked, a scooter that used to belong to Jeter, was that Cashman said Jeter is beginning to come to grips with the tricky rehab for the left ankle he fractured in October. Jeter is certain to be placed on the disabled list.
Here is the bottom line: Soon-to-be 39-year-old shortstops do not recover quickly from fractured ankles, even if his name is Derek Jeter.
It was a similar lesson Mariano Rivera learned last year when he tore up his knee.
“I wanted to come back last year,’’ Rivera told The Post. “My mind was telling me I could do it, but the reality of the situation was I had to give it time. I had to put the brakes on. Thank God the doctor was there to put the brakes on for me.’’
Jeter surrendered his scooter to the GM, but he must realize too that it is time to put the brakes on, do not force this. Let time heal this injury. Let Eduardo Nunez play shortstop for now. Nunez had two hits, including a triple, in the 7-6 win over the Rays yesterday at Steinbrenner Field.
These are fragile times for the Yankees. Desperate for an outfielder, they’ve agreed on a trade with the Angels for Vernon Wells, who batted .222 the last two seasons.
“Wells can hit the mediocre fastball,’’ said one scout. “The Yankees are putting a Band-Aid on a big cut.’’
Jeter wanted to be back playing on Opening Day, which was never realistic. The Yankees are saying April 6 is the new target date, but that’s not so realistic, either. Jeter has been the Yankees’ Opening Day shortstop every year since 1996, except for 2001.
The ankle was sore in a different spot yesterday. Cashman pointed to the back of his ankle in the dreaded Achilles area. Jeter has to be careful that he doesn’t do more serious damage. There will be soreness in different areas as Jeter continues to play.
“That is going to impact his first step, making it that much more difficult for him,’’ one scout said.
There are many hurdles to clear and the process will take time. Perhaps Jeter will not be ready until May 1, no one knows for sure. The worst thing Jeter could do now is push too hard and have a serious setback that could cost him months, not weeks.
When the season starts for the Yankees on April Fool’s Day in The Bronx, Jeter will still be down here.
I asked Cashman if it is going to be difficult for Jeter to apply the brakes.
“I think it’s settling in,’’ Cashman said. “The [cortisone] shot really made him feel good. He understands the reality of the situation more today than the other day because he [was the designated hitter] in minor league games [Saturday] and today, lo and behold, he’s feeling some more discomfort again in a different spot.’’
Older players get injured. Throw in an impact injury and you have Jeter, Mark Teixeira, Alex Rodriguez and Curtis Granderson all starting the season on the DL. Jeter will turn 39 in June. Babe Ruth played his last full season when he was 39 and that was his last season with the Yankees.
At some point, Jeter will return from this injury, but this is a reality check for all. Jeter piled up 740 plate appearances last season. This is a much different year.
Derek Jeter is one painful step closer to the end of his career. That’s reality.