When you think of the word “successful,” who’s the first person that comes to mind and why? – The daily prompt asks.

I was looking at the Yankee highlights of tonight’s game one when reading this question so that may have influenced the choice. I have followed the career of Derek Jeter and it looks pretty successful to me. He has been my favorite player in sports on and off the field.

A 20-year career in a business that chews people up and spits them out very fast. A champion at that career 5x during that span. But that and his many shining numbers playing the game seem to pale in light of the man he seems to be.

He is known as “The Captian” and that says a ton about a man in a team game. A leader, someone to look up to. Someone who sets the tone and has the respect, skills, and demeanor to lead men. He seems to define class and not be changed by the fame that has touched his life.

He seems grounded by family and knows that is the most important thing in life. Notice I didn’t mention his financial success. That is a by-product of who he is inside. Yes, he is wealthy but I bet if you asked him that wouldn’t be on the list of things, he would consider successful.

From everything I’ve seen or read about the man the more he defines class. From everything his peers have said about him, he seems to be the standard to follow.

“Now batting for the Yankees, number 2, Derek Jeter, number 2”

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