Some say to never idolize professional athletes.
They say the actual person is not who you will meet.
I am going to tell you about a player I have met
who has taught me so much in life that I will not forget.

He started as someone I would always cheer for
when he crossed home plate and allowed our team to score.
There was so much I liked about him, I’ll tell everything I can.
First I needed a way to prove to him I was his biggest fan.

As I was sitting home one day with nothing else to do,
I got out all my paints to work on something new.
Out of it I made, a sign that said his name
and held it in front of him right before a game.

Jack saw me from the field then he turned and smiled,
walked over and looked at me as if he was proud.
I took a pen out and he signed me an autograph,
I stood there in shock; all that came out was a laugh.

He told me no one ever made him a sign before.
Instantly I thought I would have to make him more.
I came up with many ideas, a bunch of little rhymes
within the next three years, I met him twenty times.

We began to talk about everything, the right from the wrong.
I know everything about him, even his favorite song.
He has told me never to do drugs and not to ever smoke
and not to feel nervous in a softball game and choke.

When I told him I'd like to broadcast, he didn't tell me it was wrong.
Instead, on his weekly talk show, I was invited to come along.
I got to learn a lot that day about my future and my career.
He helped me to realize there really is nothing for me to fear.

When it comes to fans, most players don't even bother,
Jack is there for them, and still has time to be a father.
He's a devoted husband every day to his wife,
the kind of guy anyone would want for their whole life.

He is well known for how well he plays defense,
always on his toes, builds up some suspense.
And when he commits an error, he'll be the first to say,
"I hesitated on that ball; it should've been a double play."

He loves to dive and slide in any way or form.
He hates to leave the game with a clean uniform.
It shows he has given it all that he has got,
whether he's covered in dirt or just a little spot.

In the dugout he'll sit and ask the coaches questions.
If he's not hitting right, he'll ask for their suggestions.
He strives to find out ways he can become better.
He won't sit back and wait; he's more of a go-getter.

He's not the type who plays in order to get paid,
but rather the type whose impact will never fade.
Jack doesn't play for the fame or for the glory;
he plays to send a message, and to tell his story.

I hate to think where I'd be if I never yelled "Hey Jack!"
All of my favorite memories would be taken back.
And when I watch him every day as he plays shortstop,
I think of how hard it was for him to come out on top.

I wish I could just tell him how he makes me feel.
He picks me up when I'm down and sometimes helps me heal.
Everything he's taught me, I hope I won't forget.
I'd never take back the memory from the first day that we met.

He's the kind of person that will make you feel good inside,
teaches you if something goes wrong, not to run and hide.
Whatever you want to know, he'll answer every question,
he'll leave you with good advice, and leave a good impression.

The team received a new player, a veteran to the game,
for eight years he wore the number twelve right under his name.
The last two years Jack wore the number twelve also,
but willingly he was able to let the number go.

He finally decided to change to the number two,
he felt deep down inside it was the right thing for him to do.
Some fans were disappointed, some were even hurt,
but he didn't change his image, just the number on his shirt.

Once before he asked me why I chose him as the best,
by reading this he'd see he is better than the rest.
I go to all of his games and love to watch him hit.
He is my favorite player, I know he'll never quit.