Robert Lindeman

Robert Lindeman on Derek Jeter: Favorite Athletes

by

Robert Lindeman grew up a big fan of the New York Yankees.

He remembers going to games as a kid and even know living in New England, Lindeman still enjoys taking a trip to the Bronx to catch a home game every now and then. Sports make up a great part of art and culture for Robert Lindeman and no athlete portrays that culture better than one of his favorite all time players, Derek Jeter.

Robert Lindeman - Derek Jeter

Derek Jeter was born on June 26, 1974, in Pequannock, New Jersey but moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan, when he was four years old so that his father could pursue a Ph.D. in psychology from Western Michigan University. Jeter’s father is African-American and his mother is Caucasian; so Jeter is a mix of African, Irish, Indian, and German.

Tall, lanky and athletic, Jeter’s love for baseball began when he played for Kalamazoo Central High School. His natural talent for the game sowed the seeds of a much greater ambition—to become a major league baseball player and be a part of the New York Yankees. He worked hard to do well in baseball and had many titles and national awards against his name.

The year 1992 proved very lucky for him. Apart from being named the American High School Coaches Association’s 1992 “High School Player of the Year,” the 1992 “Gatorade High School Athlete of the Year” and USA Today’s “High School Player of the Year,” he moved a step closer to his ultimate goal when he was drafted by the Yankees in 1992.

Derek Jeter bats right-handed, throws right-handed, and wears uniform number 2 and the year 1996 saw him realize a part of his dream when he replaced shortstop Tony Fernandez, who was put on the disabled list. He played against the Seattle Mariners, performed well in the infield and also helped the Yankees win the World Series against the Atlanta Braves. His wonderful performance throughout the season won for him the 1996 American League Rookie of the Year Award. Robert Lindeman has fond memories of these moments that he is excited to tell his children and grandchildren about. 

After that there was no stopping him- he helped the team win four more world series and in 2003 and the all-time Yankees’ hit leader was deservedly crowned as captain of the team.

Jeter became very famous and his reputation always preceded him, so much so that one of his fellow shortstop prodigies- Alex Rodriguez, to whom he was often compared, joined the Yankees in 2004. Together, they were formidable and the Yankees won the World Series again in 2009. Jeter was now a five-time champ.

Well known for his “patented “inside-out” swing and acrobatic jump-throws”, Jeter now became known as a player who blossomed under pressure. He developed into an all-round player and became an important part of the dominant Yankees team. His winning style was admired by coaches, fans, peers and commentators alike. During this time, Robert Lindeman absolutely loved watch Jeter play, fascinated by his hard work and determination.

He won the first of five gold glove awards for fielding excellence in 2004, and in 2006 he finished second in the voting for the league MVP award. With his 2,722 hit, the most in franchise history, Jeter passed Lou Gehrig and followed this up to reach 3,000 career hits in 2011. A dislocated shoulder kept him out of the game for some time, but when he returned, it was as if he had never left.

In 2013, because of a lingering ankle injury, Jeter played just 17 games and that was the precursor to his retirement in 2014. Jeter ended his career on a high note – a 5-time World Series champion, 200 post season hits, and 308 post season average, 14-time American League All-Star, 8 seasons with 200+ hits and a 5-time AL Gold Glove Award winner.

For Jeter baseball was the greatest sport in the world and compared it to real life where every day grind and hard work pays off.

When he retired he founded the website The Players’ Tribune and now wants to own a team. He has a shrewd business mind and his love for baseball filters through in all that he does. For this 41-year-old former shortstop “baseball is the greatest sport in the world.”

The 90s Yankees: An Underrated Dynasty

by

While currently living in New England, Robert Lindeman was born and raised a New York Yankees fan. He loves the history of the team and enjoys going to a few games a year with family and friends.

In sports, there is one word when a team wins multiple championships within a certain era. We call those teams that accomplish that feat a dynasty. Every time you hear the word dynasty, which teams do you think of? You think of the Chicago Bulls with their NBA six titles in the ‘90s, the New England Patriots with their four Super Bowl titles in the 2000s and 2010s, the San Francisco 49ers with five Super Bowl titles in the ‘80s and ‘90s, the San Antonio Spurs with their five NBA titles in the ‘90s, 2000s and 2010s.

And, most recently the Chicago Blackhawks with their three Stanley Cup crowns in the past five years as well as the San Francisco Giants with their three World Series titles in the past five years. All of those teams, players, coaches and managers have accomplished a rare goal that many players and coaches dream of. But, it seems that there is one team that gets lost in the shuffle when it comes to being mentioned with those teams: the New York Yankees.

 

History of the NYY - Robert Lindeman
96 Yankees

Between 1996 and 2000, the Bronx Bombers managed to win four World Series Championships under then manager Joe Torre. They also pulled off a three-peat from 1998 to 2000. Different players from those teams were named World Series MVP in each title: Mariano Rivera (1999 World Series MVP), John Wetteland (1996 World Series MVP), Scott Brosius (1998 World Series MVP) and Derek Jeter (2000 World Series MVP). They had an excellent pitching staff in Andy Pettitte, Wetteland, Kenny Rogers, David Wells, Orlando Hernandez and Roger Clemons as well as future Hall of Fame catcher Jorge Posada to catch those balls and strikes behind home plate.

Also, you knew when Rivera stepped out on the mound in the 9th inning; he was going to close the door on the game. The ‘90s Yankee teams had great defensive players in shortstop Jeter, third baseman Brosius, and center fielder Bernie Williams (1996 ALCS MVP). Plus, they always knew how to hit in the clutch with players such as David Justice (2000 ALCS MVP), Jeter, Williams and Darryl Strawberry in his later years.

Maybe the reason why the ‘90s New York Yankee teams don’t get the credit they deserve because they were a victim of their talent. They had so many great players on those teams that everyone expected to the Yankees to win the World Series or at least be in the World Series every year. They also had the MLB on lockdown for five years. There is a lot of praise for the ‘90s Atlanta Braves but they only won one World Series title. The Yankees during that time did something that a few teams have ever done, which is winning multiple championships in a certain time period. The ‘90s New York Yankees are one of the most underrated dynasties not only in Major League Baseball but in sports in general.