Jeter Unfiltered, by Derek Jeter (author) and Christopher Anderson (photographer), Gallery/Jeter Publishing, October 2014.
Imagine sitting with an old friend, sharing favorite memories, going through stacks of old photos and reminiscing about times gone by. You might share some funny stories, tell some heartwarming tales, or talk about life’s ups and downs from days gone by. The photos might raise memories of treasured moments, goofball moments and some once in a lifetime moments.
That’s what reading Jeter Unfiltered felt like to me.
It’s essentially a 256 page photo montage based on Derek Jeter’s last year as a major league baseball player, but it is so much more. There are also pictures from Jeter’s minor league days, career milestones, his Turn 2 Foundation and his closely guarded personal life. Fans of the man, the player, the team and the sport will smile at the memories the pictures recall.
Accompanying the excellent photos by Christopher Anderson are the words of Derek Jeter. Many pages have no text; the pictures speak for themselves. Others have commentary written as if Jeter was sitting across the table talking to the reader. There is a consistent message, as well: team first, preparation, practice, loyalty and leadership. This is no surprise to anyone who followed Jeter’s career yet it is somehow refreshing to see these values in print and repeated throughout the book.
It took less than two hours to “read” the entire book. I’m going to read it again today. There might be something I missed in one of the photos the first time through. Or, perhaps I’ll see a new meaning in Jeter’s words. Maybe it was such an enjoyable trip down memory lane that I just can’t wait to go again. This is that type of book, one you’ll pick up over and over again.
Click here to order Jeter Unfiltered from Amazon.com.
