Idol Worship: Why The Media (and America) Loves Derek Jeter

Unless you spent your Labor Day weekend in Antarctica or some other place that Sports Center doesn't yet broadcast, you may have noticed that Derek Jeter is about to pass Lou Gehrig on the New York Yankees all time hit list to become the sole Yankee with at least 2,722 hits. Many have been frustrated, to put it kindly, by the extensive media coverage surrounding Jeter's pursuit of what they feel is a seemingly insignificant milestone when put against the backdrop of the whole of the baseball world. Many site that if Jeter played on any other team this story would never even be brought up.  Which is true, but also irrelevant.  The Yankees name is the whole reason why Jeter's milestone is such a landmark event. I am, of course, a Yankee fan.  And although Jeter has never been my favorite player on their teams through the years, no player more perfectly embodies the essence of the Yankees than Jeter. There have been many great baseball players both in sk...