Update: Jeffrey Maier

MoscowBomber · 05-07-02, 04:48 AM

It's always nice to see good things happen to good people. Think there could ever be a Yankees' team led Maier and Almonte?

http://www.nypost.com/sports/yankees/15721.htm

THE KID CATCHES ON

By KEVIN KERNAN
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

May 7, 2002 -- Of course, Jeffrey Maier would become a centerfielder.
Remember young Jeffrey?

When he was 12, he made one of the most famous catches in baseball history at Yankee Stadium, reaching over the right-field fence to snag Derek Jeter’s game-tying, eighth-inning home run away from Baltimore outfielder Tony Tarasco.

It took place in Game 1 of the 1996 American League Championship Series, a game and series the Yankees went on to win. The victory ignited the Yankees’ run of four World Championships in five years.

Maier grabbed his 15 minutes of fame. Then he went on with his life and with baseball.

His grandfather Dave, who has since passed away, gave young Jeffrey this worldly bit of advice after his “Angel in the Outfield” moment: “No single event should shape who you are.”

Maier recalled those words yesterday as he said: “Ever since a couple of days after that game, I’ve just wanted to make a name for myself in other ways. In my mind, that was just the base of the mountain.”

Maier, 17, has matured into a wonderful high-school player and student at Northern Valley Regional HS in beautiful Old Tappan, N.J., and will go on to play at Wesleyan University in Connecticut next year, where he plans to major in economics.

And yes, if Maier found himself in the same position at Yankee Stadium this October, he would once again go after Jeter’s fly ball. Not because of the notoriety, but simply because ballplayers catch baseballs.

“You go for it,” he said. “There’s no feeling like when your heart starts pumping and you see the ball in the air.”

Maier never held onto that ball; he lost it in the scrum.

“A 12-year-old doesn’t stand much of a chance against six 30-year-olds,” he said.

But nearly a year later, he did get his glove signed by his hero Jeter. Maier was so overwhelmed, he couldn’t talk.

What would he say to Tarasco, who is struggling along at Triple-A Norfolk in the Mets organization?

“I do feel bad in a sense because the game is supposed to be played on the field,” Maier said. “I would probably say, ‘You’re a great ballplayer. Just play your game and don’t worry about it.’ We’d probably end up getting along. If I were 21, maybe we’d go out and get a drink together because I’m sure we share the same passion for baseball.”

Maier never brings up The Play. Sometimes it comes up in conversation. He quickly tells his story and moves on. Sometimes he’s heckled at road games, like last week when some kids behind the centerfield fence were giving him a hard time. The opposing coach had those unruly fans removed, but Maier didn’t mind. In fact, he wishes they had stayed because he ended up blasting a two-run homer in a 12-5 win.

“You get called all kind of horrible names, but you don’t let it bother you,” he said.

Maier is batting .410, but he is a team player and would rather talk about his teammates, like fellow senior T.J. Lauerman, than that fateful October night.

“The 17 guys on the team along with the coaches, we’re a family,” Maier says of the 14-2 Golden Knights. “It’s not the ‘Jeffrey Maier Show.’ ”

Athletic director Tom Kaechele said, “I admire everything about Jeffrey because it hasn’t been easy. He’s learned that he doesn’t want the spotlight on himself. He wants to have a normal team setting, and he doesn’t want anyone to think he’s getting special treatment, which I really admire.”

SkooterPhil#10 · 05-07-02, 05:44 AM

Nice article. Jeter didn't hit much better than 410 in his senior year of HS. Maybe Maier could make it to the minors.

BTW, this could probably be in Just Conversation instead of History...

MoscowBomber · 05-07-02, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SkooterPhil#10
BTW, this could probably be in Just Conversation instead of History...

Realizing that I am probably being overly touchy, the topic is "Yankees History and TRADITION" and, to quote the article, it was Maier's catch "took place in Game 1 of the 1996 American League Championship Series, a game and series the Yankees went on to win. The victory ignited the Yankees’ run of four World Championships in five years."

While he might not be as clutch as Rivera or Jeter, "Jeffrey Maier" will always have a place in both Yankee History and Tradition.

Nettles · 05-08-02, 01:55 PM

I am surprised that he is still so well-known.

Maybe he has a future in baseball. If not, maybe show-biz.

(Or maybe they are the same thing.)

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05-07-02, 04:48 AM	#1
MoscowBomber Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Washington, DC	Update: Jeffrey Maier It's always nice to see good things happen to good people. Think there could ever be a Yankees' team led Maier and Almonte? http://www.nypost.com/sports/yankees/15721.htm THE KID CATCHES ON By KEVIN KERNAN -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- May 7, 2002 -- Of course, Jeffrey Maier would become a centerfielder. Remember young Jeffrey? When he was 12, he made one of the most famous catches in baseball history at Yankee Stadium, reaching over the right-field fence to snag Derek Jeter’s game-tying, eighth-inning home run away from Baltimore outfielder Tony Tarasco. It took place in Game 1 of the 1996 American League Championship Series, a game and series the Yankees went on to win. The victory ignited the Yankees’ run of four World Championships in five years. Maier grabbed his 15 minutes of fame. Then he went on with his life and with baseball. His grandfather Dave, who has since passed away, gave young Jeffrey this worldly bit of advice after his “Angel in the Outfield” moment: “No single event should shape who you are.” Maier recalled those words yesterday as he said: “Ever since a couple of days after that game, I’ve just wanted to make a name for myself in other ways. In my mind, that was just the base of the mountain.” Maier, 17, has matured into a wonderful high-school player and student at Northern Valley Regional HS in beautiful Old Tappan, N.J., and will go on to play at Wesleyan University in Connecticut next year, where he plans to major in economics. And yes, if Maier found himself in the same position at Yankee Stadium this October, he would once again go after Jeter’s fly ball. Not because of the notoriety, but simply because ballplayers catch baseballs. “You go for it,” he said. “There’s no feeling like when your heart starts pumping and you see the ball in the air.” Maier never held onto that ball; he lost it in the scrum. “A 12-year-old doesn’t stand much of a chance against six 30-year-olds,” he said. But nearly a year later, he did get his glove signed by his hero Jeter. Maier was so overwhelmed, he couldn’t talk. What would he say to Tarasco, who is struggling along at Triple-A Norfolk in the Mets organization? “I do feel bad in a sense because the game is supposed to be played on the field,” Maier said. “I would probably say, ‘You’re a great ballplayer. Just play your game and don’t worry about it.’ We’d probably end up getting along. If I were 21, maybe we’d go out and get a drink together because I’m sure we share the same passion for baseball.” Maier never brings up The Play. Sometimes it comes up in conversation. He quickly tells his story and moves on. Sometimes he’s heckled at road games, like last week when some kids behind the centerfield fence were giving him a hard time. The opposing coach had those unruly fans removed, but Maier didn’t mind. In fact, he wishes they had stayed because he ended up blasting a two-run homer in a 12-5 win. “You get called all kind of horrible names, but you don’t let it bother you,” he said. Maier is batting .410, but he is a team player and would rather talk about his teammates, like fellow senior T.J. Lauerman, than that fateful October night. “The 17 guys on the team along with the coaches, we’re a family,” Maier says of the 14-2 Golden Knights. “It’s not the ‘Jeffrey Maier Show.’ ” Athletic director Tom Kaechele said, “I admire everything about Jeffrey because it hasn’t been easy. He’s learned that he doesn’t want the spotlight on himself. He wants to have a normal team setting, and he doesn’t want anyone to think he’s getting special treatment, which I really admire.”

05-07-02, 05:44 AM	#2
SkooterPhil#10 Released Outright Join Date: Jun 2001	Nice article. Jeter didn't hit much better than 410 in his senior year of HS. Maybe Maier could make it to the minors. BTW, this could probably be in Just Conversation instead of History...

05-08-02, 01:55 PM	#4
Nettles NYYF MVP Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Rockland County, New York	I am surprised that he is still so well-known. Maybe he has a future in baseball. If not, maybe show-biz. (Or maybe they are the same thing.)


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