End of an era: 2014 to be Derek Jeter's final season

::Sigh::

If you haven't heard yet, Derek Jeter, longtime shortstop for the New York Yankees, officially announced today that he will retire from professional baseball at the end of the 2014 season. Am I surprised? Not really. Jeter will turn 40 years old this June, which is an old man in baseball years. He was plagued by injuries last season. All his cohorts from the 1990s-2000s championship era have retired. He's devoted almost 20 years to the game, to his team, and to his fans. I completely understand. After Mariano Rivera retired last season, I had a feeling this year would be Jeter's last.

I understand, but does that mean I'm happy? I'm happy for him, yes; now he can do the other things in his life that he wants to do. He can focus on himself and what he wants, not what the Steinbrenners want, not what the fans of New York want. But I'm sad for me. I love Jeter. I grew up with him - I started watching the Yankees as a way to stay connected to home when I was in college in Washington, D.C. in the late 1990s, when Jeter was fresh blood and the Yankees were amazing. I've been a fan of the team and even moreso of him ever since. When he leaves, the old guard will be gone...which in a way, might be exactly what the Yankees need. A fresh start. A chance to rebuild. A time to let new fresh blood become a part of history. (Hint, hint, Yankees management - can we cool it on the aging, fading former superstars? Let's take a few years to rebuild with some young, fresh, homegrown talent and do Jeter and his predecessors proud!)

So yeah, I love Jeter. He's an amazing ball player. And he seems to be a class act. In New York, it's tough to know when to stay out of the limelight, know when to speak up and what to say. It's easy to piss your fans off but so easy to win them back over again. He never courted controversy or the headlines; he always seemed to show good sportsmanship both on and off the field; he seemed to love to play the game; and he seemed to love his fans.

I will always count myself lucky that I got to see Jeter play in person at Yankee Stadium. I wasn't able to get to any games last year but this being Jeter's last, I'll have to make sure to make it to at least one more game. Just to say goodbye. :)

Thanks, Derek, for playing the game right, representing your team right, bringing us so many World Series championships but always staying humble, and for loving your fans right. Best of luck to you in this upcoming season, and with whatever you choose to do with your future.

Love, a Jeter fan girl, always and forever

Super Bowl is super lame...

::sigh::

That was not what I was hoping for.

As it turns out, maybe it was a good thing I spent the entire first half running after my 10 month old daughter, missing pretty much everything on the tv - by the end of the very first play, Super Bowl XLVIII was over.

While it was very nice of the Denver Broncos to replace their regular team that got them to the big game with a bunch of pee wee players who had apparently never stepped onto a football field or held a ball, I guess I was hoping for some kind of actual competition. I had high expectations for a game boasting the best defense versus the best offense, but what we got was boring and disappointing. While I was rooting for the Broncos, I'm not upset the Seahawks won - they played hard and obviously wanted this win, and they did it all tied as the youngest team to win the Super Bowl. I'm upset - and I would venture to say that even some diehard Seattle fans are with me here - that this game was so lopsided. When you're playing a team like the Broncos and a QB like Peyton Manning, you want to beat them when they're at their best. You want them to play hard and play well, and still stick it to them. To have them not even show up cheapens the victory a little. That's my humble opinion. Obviously, wearing my Peyton Manning jersey is a jinx and not good luck - I've learned my lesson now. It's just, the Super Bowl is practically a national holiday, the chance for everyone to have fun and party, and it was just a huge let down. Which, after a year of sports letdowns, I guess I shouldn't be surprised by - well, so endeth the 2013 season, for real now. On the plus side, my daughter had a blast playing with new friends, oblivious to the horror show happening on the tv. And tIt's snowing outside now, six inches and counting - the world is beautiful and clean and bright. Let's hope this weather washes everything clean of 2013 sports so we can start fresh and new in 2014.

Super Bowl XLVIII is today!

Okay everybody - tonight at 6:30 p.m. on Fox, the Seattle Seahawks, the best defense in the league, will take on the Denver Broncos, the best offense in the league in the Super Bowl. There are many reasons to watch - the game, of course, if you're into that sort of thing, ha ha; the commercials, the only time I will ever say that; the halftime show, which I'm not usually interested in but this year is Bruno Mars, who I love love love; and the social aspect, if you're going to a party with friends or even just hanging out with a few people...oh, and the food. Super Bowl parties usually have awesome snacks. Put your diet aside for the day! :)

I will be rockin' my Peyton Manning Colts jersey. My 10 month old daughter was clapping when the ESPN commentators were talking about the Broncos. That will make her Uncle Al very happy. Hopefully the top defense versus top offense thing will give us a well-played, exciting, awesome game. I think we're all rooting for the Broncos in my household though if the hubby decides to root for the Seahawks, we can bet a nice homemade dinner, which will be fun (if I win, that is!) So no matter what you do or who you're with, have fun.....and go Broncs!