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More Power To Him: Jeter Shows Off His Work Ethic

Hartford Courant, February 16, 2000

By Dom Amore

TAMPA, Fla. - Pitchers and catchers report today.

Derek Jeter never unreported.

``I've been here every day since two weeks after the season,'' said Jeter, 25, who was motioning about a half-dozen children to his Mercedes for autographs. ``When you play, you've got to try to be the best player you can be. So it's something I've always done. A lot of players don't take it to the extreme I do.''

The Yankees shortstop, centerpiece of an organization that is never satisfied, is muscling up for the day he might be asked to hit No. 3 or 4 in the batting order.

Typically this winter, Jeter has gotten to minor league headquarters, just down the road from Legends Field, by 8:30 a.m. for three to four hours of workouts each day. Tampa-area residents Tino Martinez, 32, and Darryl Strawberry, 38 in March, have kept pace with Jeter. But while they are proven power hitters trying to slow the effects of age, Jeter, who hit a career-high 24 home runs in 1999, said he has added about 15 pounds since the end of the World Series. That would put him at about 210.

When not in the weight room, Jeter said his regimen included work on every part of his game.

``You can always improve in every aspect of this game,'' Jeter said. ``It's a game of failure.''

Failure is a game the Yankees are not expected to play. They return the same starting lineup, top four starting pitchers and bullpen from the team that swept the World Series, shedding only high-priced second-line components.

``I'm too old to get used to not winning,'' said owner George Steinbrenner, who put employees on edge with a late-morning appearance. ``. . . Everybody is pointing for you. I'd still say I'd rather be the one everyone is pointing for. I don't think we're going to be a shoo-in, but we're one of the favorites.''

Billboard-sized placards have been hung all over the locker room at Legends Field. The first one players will see when they walk in reads: ``Unless you're the lead dog, the view never changes.''

``This organization tries to be the best from top to bottom,'' Jeter said.