Steve Sax Recalls What Made New York Yankees Shortstop Derek Jeter Great
WEST SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Derek Jeter capped a 20-year career at Yankee Stadium on Thursday with a game-winning hit in his final at-bat.
CBS13's Steve Large spoke with one-time Yankee and West Sacramento native Steve Sax about what made Jeter such a success.
Joe DiMaggio wore No. 5, Lou Gehrig No. 4, Babe Ruth was No. 3, but the best-selling major league jersey of all time will likely go down as Derek Jeter's No. 2.
Jeter left Yankee's Stadium in his last game at shortstop for the team the only way he knew how—a winner.
Sax played second base for the Yankees when Jeter was drafted.
"People were talking about him coming up," he said. "He was one of these guys that had a can't-miss label on him."
Jeter's name quickly became well-known in the Yankees organization, and before long he became the face of the franchise.
"He was able to make adjustments, in the game and that's the key to staying there," Sax said.
It wasn't Jeter's natural ability that made him great, Sax said. Instead, it was hard work.
"Its a tough game to play," he said. "The effort is more important than the talent, I think its more important than anything."
Now Sax is creating the foundation to help children with life skills he says are similar to those Jeter has used to become a success.
"Choosing to have big goals and personal responsibility and self-reliance," he said.
Jeter won five World Series titles with the Yankees and will retire as the Yankees all-time hits leader.
