MISSING JETER

The New York Yankees’ players (other than pitchers and catchers, who came in last week) report on Wednesday to the team’s spring training home in Tampa.

There will be a hubbub around Alex Rodriguez and questions about the pitching. The one unquestionable fact is that the Yankees will miss Derek Jeter, their longtime captain.

Jeter retired after last season, ending a 20-year career in the major leagues (all with the Yankees) and 22 in the Yankees’ organization. As he makes his home in Tampa, he’ll no doubt stop by Legends Field and set off a frenzy among fans and reporters.

But when the Yankees open the regular season at home on April 6 against the Toronto Blue Jays, do not look for the shortstop who formerly wore No. 2 and still had his plate appearances announced by a recording of the late, venerable Bob Sheppard. Jeter will not be there.

“I need to get away,” Jeter said in a recent interview with Sirius XM radio. “I’ve been playing this game professionally for parts of 23 seasons, so I need to get away from it.”

Jeter was the Yankees’ captain for the last 12 years and the last link (among players) to their championship teams that won the World Series four times in five years from 1996-2001. He was a quiet leader on a team of standouts, and now they are all gone – Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, Andy Pettitte, and The Captain.

For the Yankees, finding out who fits where on the field will be important. Finding out who fits in the locker room and can lead it will be equally so.

Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman .