It’s Magic

One of the features that makes Yankees Magazine the most unique team publication in baseball is a
“5 Questions” segment.

In essence, it’s a question and answer piece with various
celebrities or dignitaries, in which they discuss their own lives and their passion
for baseball and — in most cases — the New York Yankees.

Last night, I was at the Orlando Magic game, where I
interviewed Magic assistant coach and New York icon Patrick Ewing.

The compete interview with Ewing will be published in the
April issue of Yankees Magazine. But
for now, I’ll share my favorite quote from the former Knicks center.

When I asked Ewing which current athlete epitomizes the competitive
spirit of New York City the way he once did, he didn’t hesitate.

“Derek Jeter,” Ewing said with an ear-to-ear smile. “Derek has
played for the Yankees forever. He has the best work ethic in the game. He just
puts on his hard hat every night and competes like it’s the seventh game of the
World Series. He’s doesn’t change with the weather. He’s always there.”

At halftime, I interviewed Arizona Cardinals wide receiver
Larry Fitzgerald for another “Five Questions” segment that will come out this summer.

I repeated the same question to Fitzgerald, and his answer
was just as emphatic as Ewing’s.

“That’s a no brainer, Fitzgerald said. “When you think of New York, and more importantly, the New York Yankees, you think of Derek Jeter. With
the championships he’s won and the way he represents himself in the community,
he’s baseball’s greatest ambassador.”

–Alfred Santasiere III