Derek Jeter: HBO Documentary, Airing Thursday, Done For Posterity
NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) — Derek Jeter allowed cameras to follow him during his pursuit of 3,000 hits partly because "if and when" he has children, he'd like them to be able to see him as a player.
In the hour-long "Derek Jeter 3K" documentary that premieres Thursday night on HBO, the Yankees shortstop says he's jealous of teammates whose kids get to watch their dads while they're still playing.
New York's normally private captain wore an in-game microphone and did an interview at his home for the first time. MLB Productions got some unexpected drama when Jeter went on the disabled list with a calf injury, and the crews accompanied him to rehab in Tampa, Fla.
Jeter had control over what was shot, but he didn't see the documentary until after it was completed.
There are no tears or tantrums from a player renowned for avoiding controversy. Noting with a grin that it's an HBO program, Jeter does curse once or twice. The footage includes shots of Jeter hosting friends for a lunch cooked by his personal chef, when they discuss why all the stars of "The Bachelor" are white.
Jeter did a two-hour interview at his New York apartment a day after he reached 3,000 hits with a home run as part of a 5-for-5 day against the Rays on July 9. Also agreeing to an interview is his actress girlfriend, Minka Kelly, who succinctly sums up the timing of the calf injury: "It sucked."
Of the delay in reaching the milestone, Jeter says, "I felt like I was disappointing people."
He concedes that selfishly he wishes his mother and sister could have been there when he hit No. 3,000 — they missed the game because of his nephew's christening.
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