8 Chapter 7 Starting at Short

Chapter 7 Starting at Short The next year, 1996, Derek was back as the Yankees' starting shortstop. Once, Derek tried to steal third. Instead, he made the third out. Derek knew he was in trouble. But in the dugout, he sat right next to Joe Torre, the manager. He was ready to take the punishment from "Mr. Torre," as he called him. But Torre just rubbed his head and told him to get lost. He figured Derek already

knew he'd made a big mistake. Torre didn't need to rub it in. But Derek wanted to take responsibility. He spoke to reporters about the error. While he never spoke about his personal life, or said anything against players or coaches, he always owned up to mistakes. Like any baseball season, Derek's first had its ups and downs. After one poor performance, a Chicago newspaper called him "shortslop." He came back the next day, feeling just as confident. By the end of the season, he was named Rookie of the Year. In early September, Derek invited his dad to his Detroit hotel room.

It wasn't to discuss baseball. He told him he had an idea: to start a charity foundation, like his favorite Yankee, Dave Winfield. The David M. Winfield Foundation helped families in need. Derek knew kids looked up to major league players. And he wanted to be a role model. It was the beginning of the Turn 2 Foundation. Its goal: to keep kids off alcohol and drugs. Derek wanted to help kids become leaders.

And he helped the Yankees make their first postseason appearance since 1981. Derek was only twenty-two years old. During the regular season, he'd been relaxed. Could he keep his cool now? In Game One, Derek left six men on base when he made outs at bat. The Yankees lost. "All I can do is forget about it," Derek told reporters. Before he left the stadium, Derek poked his head into Torre's office. "Make sure you get your sleep tonight. Tomorrow is the most

important game of your life," Derek joked. He knew that's what Torre wanted to say to him! Even under pressure, Derek was kidding around. The next day Derek scored the winning run in the twelfth inning. He made the tying run in another game, and got on base to keep the Yankees going in the next. Derek and the Yankees took the series! Next, for the American League Championship, the Yankees faced the Baltimore Orioles. A lot hinged on Game One, a home game for the Yankees. In the eighth inning, the Yankees were down 4–3, with one out. Derek, at bat, hit a fastball. The ball soared toward the right-field wall. The Oriole outfielder got in place. He thought he could make the play. But twelve-year-old Jeffrey Maier reached over and caught the ball.

该页暂无翻译