The Post’s Steve Serby sat down with the Yankees captain for a wide-ranging interview that includes his thoughts on his future with the team, his side interests, the possibility of him ever getting married, and much more.
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Q: What is so much fun about playing shortstop for the New York Yankees?
A: It’s fun because it’s been a dream of mine. . . . I just had the opportunity to live out my dream, so that’s why it’s been so fun for me. This is what I’ve always wanted to do. I’ve never wanted to do anything else, therefore it’s fun for me, just like I’m sure your dream was to write Serby’s Question & Answer on Sunday. Now you’re doing it. I’m sure it’s fun for you.
Q: From Little League on, that was always my dream.
A: There ya go (laughs).
Q: Can you envision yourself playing another position for the Yankees than shortstop?
A: Can I envision? No.
Q: What if they asked you?
A: You’re speaking in all hypotheticals.
Q: I know.
A: I can’t answer that question.
Q: Anyway, I was listening to radio, and they were talking about maybe . . .
A: I don’t listen to the radio, so . . . wherever you’re going with that question, I don’t even want to hear it.
Q: But your last day as a Yankee, whenever that will be, you want to be at shortstop.
A: You asked me, “Can I envision myself playing another position?’ My answer to that question is no, I can’t envision it,” so . . .
Q: You look sleeker.
A: Been the exact same for about the last . . . eight years.
Q: Have you asked Michael Jordan or anybody about dealing with Father Time?
A: Nope.
Q: You don’t fear Father Time?
A: Um, uh, do you?
Q: It’s too late for me. Many athletes fear Father Time.
A: No.
Q: It’s something you don’t even think about?
A: No. Really haven’t.
Q: Congratulations on Precor outfitting your Derek Jeter’s 24 Hour Fitness. Do you have a favorite piece of equipment?
A: The mats . . . lay down when you finish and stretch out (laughs).
Q: Your assessment of the Precor equipment?
A: Great equipment! Great equipment.
Q: If you didn’t know how old you were, how old do you feel?
A: 21.
Q: Good for you.
A: Thanks.
Q: The Jordan Jeter Captain shoe.
A: It’s a nice shoe. . . . I learned a lot about the development of shoes throughout the years. I have say so in everything happens with the shoe.
Q: What’s unique about your shoe?
A: You gotta go buy it.
Q: I probably can’t afford it.
A: I’m sure you can — all these Sunday Question & Answer sessions you’ve done?
Q: I’ll get it for my 8-year-old nephew Jake Weingarten.
A: There ya go. And then come back to me.
Q: What is your definition of the Pride of the Yankees?
A: Well, I think you have to understand what this organization stood for in the past, what it stands for now . . . it’s a lot bigger than any person that puts on this uniform. I understood that from the moment I got here — no one’s bigger than the Yankee organization, the Yankee emblem. That’s something I learned growing up, something I learned being with the organization and . . . I think everyone should look at it that way.
Q: You’re a very prideful person and athlete.
A: I think everyone should be.
Q: Some are more than others.
A: I’ll let you decide that.
Q: How have you been able to keep such a low profile in NYC?
A: Stay home a lot. I find it more fun just hanging out at home or places with not a lot of people.
Q: The intangible that you have that has enabled you to be successful?
A: I think you gotta be able to deal with failure. I think that’s probably the biggest key, especially this game, more importantly, right here in New York. Everyone’s gonna fail so . . . the better you can deal with failure, the better off you’ll be.
Q: You’ve always been able to deal with it from a young age?
A: I think you learn as you get older.
Q: You remember an example when you didn’t handle it well?
A: Yeah, I remember being young, losing games in the Little League, not wanting to shake hands with other teams.
Q: I remember that, I was on the other team that beat you.
A: There ya go. Like you say, you had to deal with Father Time, so no, you were not on that team (smiles).
Q: What would you tell your grandchildren about Mariano (Rivera)?
A: I would say . . . greatest reliever in the history of the game.
Q: What have you learned about Nick Swisher?
A: He likes to have fun. . . . He’s like a big kid. . . . He enjoys coming here every day, he enjoys playing. . . . You like to see that.
Q: What have you learned about Mark Teixeira?
A: He’s like a robot. He’s got his little routine that he goes through every day, and he’s not gonna sway from it.
Q: CC Sabathia?
A: He’s just a horse. CC goes out there day in and day out, he works hard and he’s one of those guys you’re glad that’s on your team.
Q: A.J. Burnett?
A: Glad I don’t have to face him anymore. . . . His stuff is as good as anyone in baseball.
Q: If the Knicks asked you to help them recruit LeBron James, would you do it?
A: How could I help them?
Q: You’re Derek Jeter.
A: I don’t play basketball though.
Q: What advice would you give him?
A: I’d say play where you’re happy.
Q: Do you think he’d be happy here?
A: Don’t know. . . . I don’t know him well enough to answer that.
Q: If he came to New York, would you go the Garden to watch him play?
A: Yeah, I’m sure I would.
Q: Your opinion of [President] Obama so far?
A: I like Obama. . . . I really like the way he carries himself.
Q: What is it about the way he carries himself?
A: He just doesn’t seem like he gets flustered too much.
Q: Do you want a large family some day?
A: What’s large?
Q: Four.
A: Four kids?
Q: Yeah.
A: Let me work on getting married and having one before I start putting numbers on it.
Q: How close are you?
A: Probably closer than I was you last time I talked to you
(chuckles). When was the last time I talked to you?
Q: Last year at this time.
A: You know that’s all you’re getting from me with that (smiles).
Q: Who do you think the best man will be in your wedding?
A: See I’m not even gonna answer that question, because if I answer that question, then somebody’ll take that answer, and they’ll say that I’m getting married real soon and I’ve announced my best man — trust me, I’ve seen it happen so
. . . I will not answer that one either.
Q: Have you become more guarded?
A: More? I’ve always been.
Q: I know you have. But it seems like you’ve become more.
A: Because now everything’s dissected. . . . Everything you say, (they) will take it out of context, they run with it, they make their own stories. . . . I think you should be guarded with what you say.
Q: I will word it in such a way where nobody can confuse the fact that you’re not getting married soon. But my other question was could you ever see inviting a Red Sock or a Met to your wedding?
A: Friend of mine, yeah.
Q: Who would you want presenting you at the Hall of Fame?
A: Hall of Fame, man — slow down, buddy. I don’t even talk about those kind of things.
Q: Tell me why you miss Bob Sheppard.
A: He was as (much a) part of Yankee Stadium as any player was, I think. He was a part of the whole experience. . . . Coming here as a fan, being here as a player . . . it just seemed like home when Bob Sheppard’s voice was going over the P.A. And that’s why to this day when I come up to the plate, it’s his voice.
Q: George Steinbrenner (79)had a birthday yesterday. Do you remember the first time you met him and was it intimidating when you met him?
A: First time I met him I was 18 years old, it was right after I had been drafted. . . . Yeah I was intimidated. You know, he has that presence where he walks in a room, even if you don’t know who he is, you know he’s somebody. . . . Yeah, I was scared to meet him.
Q: He once said about you, “He’s like Jack Armstrong and Frank Merriwell.”
A: Anything he says is all right with me (laughs). Can’t argue with The Boss, right?
Q: By the way, your fielding percentage this year, you’re at a career high.
A: Why would you even say something like that? Now you’re trying to jinx me.
Q: Career low then, you’re at a career low.
A: (Laughs).
Q: I’m asking you that because I’ve heard all these things about your range.
A: Once again, I don’t pay attention to it.
Q: See, that’s the key to New York right there — block everything out.
A: Everyone has an opinion.
Q: You’ve worked on your
lateral movement a lot?
A: I feel good, feel good this year.
Q: Agility-wise?
A: Yeah.
Q: Better than last year?
A: Feel good.
Q: What do you listen to on your way to the Stadium?
A: Hip hop, R&B.
Q: “Dancing With the Stars?”
A: Never. I wouldn’t embarrass myself like that. . . . I’ve embarrassed myself before, but I wouldn’t embarrass myself dancing like that.
Q: You hosted “Saturday Night Live” . . .
A: I wasn’t dancin’, though.
Q: The Delta Batting Challenge?
A: It’s a little competition we got, for my Foundation and David Wright’s Foundation.
Q: 100G for higher batting average, 50G for runner-up. So he’s in the lead.
A: It’s a long season.
Q: Do you think he is — or will be — a good leader?
A: I think he is. I had the opportunity to get to know him a little bit during the WBC. . . . I think he’s doing a great job over there
. . . and one thing you gotta learn is people are always gonna say this or say that. I think he needs to continue doing what he’s doing. I think he’s doing a great job.
Q: You’re not far behind Rickey Henderson on the all-time Yankee stolen base list.
A: Is that right? Did not know that.
Q: You may end up with a career high in stolen bases this year, too.
A: You’re really trying to jinx everything that’s going on.
Q: Do you keep a book on pitchers?
A: Nope, not at all.
Q: What’s your key to stealing bases?
A: If you think you can make it, run. If you don’t, stay.
Q: What are the odds you will retire as a Yankee?
A: I would like to.
Q: Do you expect to?
A: I would like to. You learn not to expect too many things. I’d like to, but the decision’s not entirely up to me, I don’t think (chuckles).