What if Derek Jeter played in Milwaukee..

By Fernie Ruano Jr.

I know…It’s been a while.

I’ve spent the last eight days recovering from an emotional state, which has wiped me out of Kleenex and Zaditor. You see: I keep having this dream about Derek Jeter, the iconic Yankees shortstop who is staring at the final weekend of a 20-year career, in which MLB waits until 11:30 p.m. (check the weather radar) to start his last home-game ever, before Jeter hits a game-winning home run off some Orioles’ minor league pitcher in the bottom of the 15^th inning to send 49,000-hysterical fans home at 4:30 a.m., to conclude yet another meaningless New York Yankees’ baseball game.

But remember, this is DEREK JETER we’re talking about, the same Derek Jeter who wasn’t the best shortstop of his generation or on his own team (look it up), and we have a Gatorade commercial, bobble heads, T-shirts, commemorative Gatorade coolers, commemorative Gatorade towels, Derek Jeter-marinated No. 2 pencils, Mariah Carey posters and Michael Kay –authorized, Derek Jeter boxers to sell.

                                   Derek Jeter made the most out of playing in pinstripes.

I’ve watched and attended approximately over 6,000 baseball games so I’ve heard what a clutch-hardnosed winner and gamer Derek Jeter is, because Derek Jeter and only Derek Jeter isn’t afraid to dive into the stands for a pop up, get hit by a 95-mile an hour fastball and run to first base really hard - after grounding out to third base.

I’ve often wondered: Would Derek Jeter’s eyes, smile and game been branded so beautifully, if let’s say he played in Milwaukee, Pittsburgh or Kansas City?

Oh, that reminds me…

Giants (1-2) @ Redskins (1-2): Washington may have FINALLY found their franchise quarterback, while the Giants , unfortunately, are stuck with their franchise quarterback. Washington has some serious holes on defense, but Cousins to Jackson sure does sound and look exciting. Washington may want to send the recipe to Ryan Tannehill and Mike Wallace.

Dolphins (1-2) vs. Raiders (0-3) in London: Well, if you really have.. The Dolphins have no running back, no identity, a lame duck head coach and a quarterback controversy, according to their starting quarterback; other than that it’s sunny and clear in Davie. The Raiders? They’re getting ready for mid-April already.

                                     Miami Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin is under fire.

Eagles (3-0) @ 49ers (1-2): The Eagles practice fast. The Eagles play fast. The Eagles complain fast. The Eagles run fast. The 49ers need a turnaround victory – fast. This is one of the marquee games of the NFL card. But if you open it up and examine it, it smells like the Runner’s Up Bowl since nobody in the NFC  is detouring Seattle’s road to the Super Bowl.

Saints (1-2) @ Cowboys (2-1): Just last week, talking heads all over your plasma were sending you to the dry cleaners to pick up your black suit, before wearing it to the Saints’ funeral. Don’t order the flowers. New Orleans coming out party will continue against a porous Dallas D, which got torched again last week and put the Cowboys in a 21-point hole, but nobody seemed to notice because Tony Romo – TONY ROMO – brought them back from the dead.