The World Would Be A Better Place If More Dick Vitale's Were In It & Derek Jeter is Number One

The World Would Be A Better Place If More Dick Vitale's Were In It

Famed ESPN college basketball sportscaster Dick Vitale has decided to pay the costs of a cemetery plot for a high school student who was inexplicably murdered last week outside of Southeast High in Bradenton, Fla.

According to authorities, Daniel Floyd Williams, 18, approached a vehicle idled in the school’s parking lot with four girls inside of it and asked for one of the females to give him a Lewinsky.

The girls flatly denied Williams’ lewd request for fellatio. Williams momentarily retreated before he walked back, pulled out a gun and fired four shots at the car. Jasmine Thompson, a 17-year-old cheerleader who planned to study criminal law in college, was struck by one of the bullets and she died almost instantly from her wound.

“Here’s a 17-year-old girl, Jasmine Thompson, who really did nothing wrong in her life except for being in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Vitale, 70, told the New York Daily News last week.

Vitale, a resident of nearby Lakewood Ranch who was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame last September, continued.

“A senseless killing. As a dad and somebody who has five grandchildren, to have so close to home something like that happen, it just shakes you.”

Vitale said he is not acting in such a generous manner to gain positive publicity. The legendary New Jersey high school basketball coach, and onetime leader of the Detroit Pistons, stated he was informed that Thompson’s family would have trouble financing the funeral arrangements.

“I don’t need the publicity,” said Vitale. “From what I understand, the costs of the funeral would make it tough on the family. The state will take care of a good portion. I’m simply going to take care of the cemetery plot, about 1500.”

In addition to funding the cemetery plot, “Dickie V” is going to establish a scholarship in the name of Thompson and Dejuan Williams, another adolescent who was recently slain by gun violence.

“What I’m really looking for – it’s two quality young kids who lost their lives, she was dreaming of being a criminal lawyer, the other was dreaming about college – I let the principal know, I’d like to start a scholarship in both kids’ names at the school to continue their legacy,” said Vitale.

“I’ll kick it off with a donation of $1,000 and then I am asking people to make donations, send them to the principal’s office at Bayshore High. I love young kids. I’ve been blessed in my career. If you can’t reach out and help somebody in need….That’s what life’s all about.”

If the world were filled with more people like Richard J. “Dick” Vitale, life would be a more humane and beautiful existence.

Vitale is simply a great man and person, “baby.”

Derek Jeter is Number One

New York Yankees icon Derek Jeter moved past Lou Gehrig on the Bombers all-time hits list on 9-11 with a single to right field in the Bronx.

“It’s still hard to believe,” said Jeter, 35, who has recorded 2,727 career hits since he made his debut with the Yankees in 1995. “Being a Yankee fan, this is something I never imagined. Your dream is always to play for the team, and once you get here, you just want to stay and be consistent. This wasn’t a part of it. This whole experience has been overwhelming.”

Ailing Yankees Owner George Steinbrenner issued a statement congratulating Jeter on the amazing feats he has accomplished since he first donned pinstripes.

“For those who say today’s game can’t produce legendary players, I have two words: Derek Jeter,” Steinbrenner said of the three-time Gold Glove Award winner at shortstop who played a vital role in the Yankees last four championships.

“Game in and game out, he just produces. As historic and significant as becoming the Yankees all-time hits leader is, the accomplishment is all the more impressive because Derek is one of the finest young men playing the game today. That combination of character and athletic ability is something he shares with the previous record-holder, Lou Gehrig. It adds to the pride that the Yankees and our fans feel today. Every Yankees’ era has its giants. It’s thrilling to watch Derek as he becomes one of the greats of his generation, if not all-time."

Jeter, a ten-time All-Star selection and the 1996 American League Rookie of the Year, was picked by the Yankees with the sixth overall selection in the 1992 Major League Baseball Draft.

When “Mr. November” first manned the shortstop position at the old Yankee Stadium, he was a precocious 21-year-old kid who had the “Big Apple” at his feet.

In this day and age of degenerate, disgusting and indulgent athletes, Jeter’s ability to veer away from potential temptations and pitfalls in a city like Gotham is nearly as remarkable as his exploits on the diamond.

Jeter, who in 2000 became the only player to win both the All-Star Game MVP and the World Series MVP Award in the same season, is a remarkable and superior talent who personifies professionalism.

“It was a special moment for me,” said the Yankees team captain who is currently batting .332 and is in the thick of MVP discussions. “It’s a special moment for the organization. To get to share it with my teammates was a lot of fun.”

Jeter, one of the greatest winners in the history of sports, quickly added, “Now we can get back to playing games and trying to win games.”

It’s safe to predict that Jeter will continue to “win games” for a long while and he will undoubtedly do so with the shire class that we’ve come to expect of him.

In layman’s terms, No. 2 is now officially No. 1.