Kelen > Recent Status Updates

Derek talks about thinking before you act. He was thinking about going to the club but he didn't go. The club that he was trying to go to had a shooting and he was glad that he didn't go.

Derek talks about Don Mattingly. He thinks that Don is a hard worker and he inspires him. Don has taught him a lot in his first couple of years in the league.

Derek talks about his foundation, Turn 2. He gathered 1,000 kids to his baseball clinic. He teaches them to stay away from drugs and alcohol while also teaching them about hitting and fielding.

Derek talks about being a leader. He says that there are different types of leaders. There are leaders who lead by example or leaders who make you feel relax and have fun.

Derek talks about how he got a letter from a special boy that looks up to him. He says that that gives him motivation to play hard every game. He also talks about how the Yankees manager, Joe Torre, is a very understanding man because he has played baseball before and he knows that mistakes happen.

Derek talks about how he started his own foundation. His foundation is called Turn 2. He helps students learn to not do drugs or alcohol.

Derek talks about how he wasn't very good at hitting home runs. His career high was 10 homers. In 1998, he hit 19 home runs, which is the most home runs ever by a shortstop in Yankees history.

Derek talks about how he works on his swing. He hits baseballs off a tee and he also hits soft underhand pitches. This helps his body stay balanced while he swings.

Derek talks about how he always wants to get some work in. He asked his parents to buy him an indoor hitting machine and he used it every day. He didn't like signing autographs to fans who he sees every day.

Derek talks about his relationship with his Boss, George Steinbrenner. He gives him a champagne shower every time they win the World Series. People tell him that he doesn't work hard but that seemed impossible for him.

Derek talks about how his sister, Sharlee, did a speech about him. He also talks about how in 1994, he moved to Tampa so that he can work out at the facility everyday. He always wanted to improve his game.

Derek talks about how his sister was always in the conversation with her brother. They were always being compared to each other. Interviewers would ask her about Derek instead of her.

Derek talks about how he had a best friend named Shanti who he always wanted to be around because he had goals. Unfortunately, he died in a car accident. He couldn't go to the funeral so he wrote him a letter for his sister to say at the funeral.

Derek talks about how he always challenges himself to be better. If he's not playing good defense, he would go to the field and practice until he got tired. He always wanted to work on his game.

Derek talks about how he dated Mariah Carey. They only dated for six months. He didn't like how the media were always in their business.

Derek talks about how he loves his job. If you don't love your job, your not going to enjoy it. Find a job that you love and that will help you work hard at what you do.

Derek talks about having a good supporting cast. Surround yourself with people who have goals. If you both bring each other up, that will motivate you to work hard for your dreams.

Derek talks about how he got the starting shortstop spot on the team. A lot of people were doubting him at that position. His favorite teammate of all time is Rock.

Derek talks about how he talks to fans before his at-bat. He automatically locks in when he's in the batters box. His parents split up to support him and his sister.

Derek talks about how Michael Jordan had to go through failures so that he can succeed. You have to believe in yourself and that you will succeed. Derek is very good at pressure situations when the game is on the line.

Derek talks about how he made a game winning shot versus their rivals. They drew up the play for him to make a three-pointer. He met Michael Jordan in 1994 when he played baseball for the Chicago White Sox.

Derek talks about how he lived life being apart of teams that were just black or just white. He had friends in school that were all types of race. He would hang out with three of his teammates that were white, black, and puerto rican.

Derek talks about how he had to go through racism. His dad was black and his mom was white. People in school would call him Oreo or black--and-white.

Derek talks about how his parents met in 1970 when they were in the army on a blind double date. They fell in love and got married a couple years later. Derek talks about how his grandpa is a hard worker and that he is dedicated to his job.

Derek talks about how he lived behind the school and he would just hop the fence to play on the baseball field. Him and his family would play baseball all day. His parents made a Wall of Fame by putting certificates and awards on the wall in the family room.

Derek talks about how he went to spend the night at his friend Andy's house and they got in trouble. His parents took the car away from him. His girlfriend, Marisa, had more curfew than him and that was embarrassing.

Derek talks about some of his parents' rules. If he went to a party and they were doing drugs or drinking, he had to call them immediately so that they can go pick him up. Derek shows a couple of photos from his childhood and from his high school days.

Derek talks about how his parents made contracts for him and his sister. The contract was a list of rules that they had to do throughout the school year. Derek and his parents had to sign it.

Derek talks about how his father didn't have a father growing up. He didn't have a role model to look up to. He has the caring qualities of his mother but he still has a strict side.

Derek is talking about finding role models. Anybody can be role model. If you see something that they do and you start doing it, that makes them a role model.