Friday, February 22, 2013

Jeter: TV broadcast booth is not in my future

To New York Yankees fans it seems like life without seeing Derek Jeter will never become reality.

After finishing his Hall of Fame career in pinstripes, many people expect the popular player to make the logical jump into broadcasting like many of his former teammates and peers have done.

Not so fast, the Yankees shortstop said about seeing him up in the comfy confines of the YES Network someday.

On a recent episode of Brandon Steiner's "SteinerCast" podcast, Jeter immediately put the kibosh on the notion of him being up in the television broadcast booth.

"I would have a hard time criticizing people," Jeter said. "I know how difficult it is. A lot of times, ex-players come in and act like everything was so easy when they were playing.  I played against them. I couldn't criticize people. I think that would be difficult."




The 38-year-old Jeter — who consistently does his talking on the field — has always preferred the owner's box to the broadcasters' booth. The Yankees Captain has maintained all along that he would like to follow in the steps of his beloved George Steinbrenner as a team owner some day.  It might be the only way to keep his competitive fires burning long after his playing days flame out.

"I like to compete. I like to win," Jeter said. "I think there’s something wrong with me — I like to win in everything I do, regardless of what it is. You want to race down the street, I want to beat you. If we’re playing checkers, I want to win. You beat me, it’s going to bother me. I just enjoy competition."

Jeter addressed a number of topics during the 27-minute interview, which was recorded Feb. 9 in front of a live audience. When Steiner asked Jeter what keeps him motivated, the shortstop said his competitive nature is more than enough.

"I don’t care who I’m playing in anything. I could be playing my grandmother, and I want to win. I’ve got a competition problem."

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