OK, let's make this perfectly clear: Like most people in America, I dislike the Yankees. I dislike everything about them. Their players, their owner, their fans, their budgeting-busting, buy-every-good-player-in-sight philosophy, their TV network, the way ESPN, the NY Post and others fawn over them and all those damn rings. (Sorry, I reserve the word 'hate' for people like Mahmoud Ahmadinejad or Osama bin Laden.) In short, they bug the crap out of me.

But after last night's 5 for 5 performance, I give in to the fact that Derek Jeter--Mr. November--is perhaps the best all-around shortstop of all time. And I enjoy watching the man play the game regardless that he plays for those Bastards from The Bronx.

No, he doesn't have the fielding skills of Ozzie Smith, his range is just slightly above average. He doesn't have the durability of Cal Ripkin. He doesn't have the power of A-Rod. His speed is above average, good enough for 25-30 steals every year, but nothing spectacular.

No, what Jetes posesses can't be measured in stats: It's his complete and utter desire and determination to win when it matters. It shows up in his ability to hit get the clutch hit and to do the little things that make the difference between a player and a baseball player. Is he more clutch than David Ortiz? Sure, Papi hits big, game-winning homers. But how often will he take the extra base when needed? Or break up a double play? Or move a runner over and lose an AB to the Stat Gods? The comparison is almost ludicrious. And that's not a slight on Papi, he's a stud. But can't can what Jetes does--and that's do it all.

Jetes has done in it year in and year out for over 10 years now. He has the most hits in post-season history, and has reached base safely in something like 99 out of a possible 116 post-season games (Fox cited those stats last night). Yet what people like me will remember is his electric, sacrifice everything-at-all-costs, breakneck, I-wanna-win play. There is simply no substitute for that. And there's not an owner around who wouldn't kill to have a teamful or, hell, just one Derek Jeter on his team. And he's earned, and continues to earn, every bit of his $20 million a year salary.

I'll watch every game he's in, every at-bat and every time he gets on base this post-season because he is that incredible to watch play. And if the Yankess lose at any given point, I'll only feel sorry Jetes.

The rest of the money-grubbing bastards can go soak their sorrows in their Cristal. Especially A-Rod.