The Yankees pitchers and catchers are due to report for Spring Training on Tuesday, but Derek Jeter was in camp moving well on his broken ankle.
How did he describe it? Jeter sounded a bit like Tony the Tiger saying his ankle was "Great."
Jeter had been sidelined since Game 1 of the ALCS against the Detroit Tigers when he dove for a ball but ended up breaking his left ankle in the process. Without Jeter, it wasn't a mystery, the New York Yankees were sent packing as they went on to lose the series in four games.
It was a moment of realization for many Yankee fans and baseball fans in general, the Captain was human. He had gone down in the past, but not like this. Jeter was in agony and needed help getting off the field. We still have those images. Here's the replay.
This was the image everybody remembered from that game.
We're used to seeing Jeter celebrating doing his traditional fist pump, but he was rolling around on the ground and barely able to get the ball out of his glove.
The good news for the Yankees in 2013 is that he looks to be healthy. Here he was in practice Monday afternoong with trainers as he looks to make a return this year as the team will definitely need him after having an atypical offseason.
Jeter then spent time throwing around in the outfield with teammate Curtis Granderson. Here he's seen by himself about to throw the ball. The left foot is very pivotal for a right handed thrower since it's used to put weight at the end of a follow-through.
Years ago, Jeter might have been able to handle throwing the ball with just his arm, but as the Captain has been aging, he's had to put his whole body to work.
Jeter surprised many as he hit .316 in his 18th season in the majors at the age of 38 in 2012. Many thought his production was going to decline heavily folowing the 2010 season where he struggled and hit .270.
However, Jeter continues to defy time, sort of how Kobe Bryant is doing in the NBA.
Look for the Yankees to use as much precaution with Jeter as they can. The Yankees are to have position players report to camp on Feb. 17, but as we can see, Jeter has already gotten a head start on that.
