Madden Calls Derek Jeter His Favorite Player In Any Sport
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - There's a good chance of rain at Yankee Stadium for Derek Jeter's last game at the home park Thursday night.
"I think he's my favorite athlete in any sport," John Madden told the KCBS Radio morning crew. "And you can't end your career - a great career like that - on a rain out. They have to get some of it in... A lot of guys get credit for a lot of things... but he's the real deal."
Jeter's 20-year career average over 2,903 games is .309.
He has five World Series rings and five Gold Gloves. He was never ejected from a game.
"He was the same guy when the lights were on and when the lights were off," said Madden, who got to know Jeter during multiple trips to Yankee Stadium.
"He never had to dominate a conversation, he was just part of it... He is what you see. What's the one word for Derek Jeter? You just have to say class, on and off." (6:50)
(Listen to the John Madden segment live weekday mornings at 8:15 and Monday and Friday mornings at 9:15 on KCBS All News 740 AM/106.9 FM.)