By Zach Finkelstein
So, you want to be a New York Yankee? Well, it isn't so easy. But if you're truly determined, I've included the job description below. If you have any questions, simply follow Mark Teixeira's lead.
The Yankees first baseman has the job down to a science.
1. Behave yourself, 24/7/365: In the age of Facebook, Twitter and a culture that craves its news five minutes before it occurs, a New York Yankee is equal parts athlete and celebrity.
MT: Teixeira was known for his professional, clean-cut image well before he donned pinstripes. As a first baseman, he is involved in more plays than anyone on the diamond, excluding the catcher. As a result, his face is shown on television hundreds, if not thousands, of times each season. Tex plays hard and, as a result, often finishes a game covered in dirt. The field of play is the only place, however, that you'll find dirt on Teixeira, a loving husband and father of three who adheres to the Derek Jeter school of living.
2. Accept criticism: When starting a new job, people tend to take some time adjusting to life at a new desk, in a new city, with new co-workers. Understanding this, bosses will often go easy on a newbie out of the gate. There is no grace period, however, for a New York Yankee. Just ask Jason Giambi.
MT: Teixeira has always deftly managed adversity. Sure, he's received his fair share of Bronx cheer, but who hasn't? He has always taken the high road on the road, as well. Even after his Yankees debut in the unfriendly confines of Fenway Park, the All-Star first baseman had only nice things to say about Red Sox Nation, which was, let's say, less than hospitable.
"These people are great people," he told reporters. "They just want the Red Sox to beat the Yankees. I would hope they don't want any physical harm for me and my family. They just want me to go 0-for-4 with four strikeouts."
Asked what he'd say to Sox fans if afforded the chance, Tex, once again, answered tactfully.
"I would say thanks for coming out," he said. "Thanks for supporting the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry. I am much more concerned with going to ballparks and not seeing anybody there. I hope this economy turns around. I hope there's thousands of people at every single game. You want to boo me, great, just show up and support your team, support baseball and hopefully they'll be nice to me after the game and when all is said and done."
3. Justify your salary: Don't be fooled by your offseason honeymoon phase. Although everything may appear peachy keen at the introductory news conference, you will be playing 81 regular-season contests before 40,000-something fans who'll have no problem expressing their collective discontent. So if you're raking in $22.5 million on an annual basis, you'll be expected to go 4-for-4every night. No, 5-for-4. With Gold Glove caliber defense!
MT: Teixeira averaged 37 homers and 110 RBIs in his first three years in the Bronx, leading the league in both categories in 2009. In 2010, he scored an AL-best 108 runs while also joining Lou Gehrig and Don Mattingly as the only first basemen in team history to post multiple 30HR/100RBI/100R campaigns. And not to knock the Iron Horse or Donnie Baseball, but not even they accomplished the feat within their first two seasons with the team. And this past year, Tex -- the only big leaguer with at least 30 homers and 100 RBIs over each of the past eight seasons -- joined Alex Rodriguez, Roger Maris and Babe Ruth as the only Bombers to blast as many long balls during their first three campaigns with the club. Not bad for a guy with a .99649 career fielding percentage at first base and four Gold Gloves.
4. Share your feelings: This one has to be hard, as people despise talking after a difficult day at work. But if you're a struggling Yankee, be prepared to meet the press 10 minutes after that final out.
MT: People often say it's best to judge a man's character during times of struggle, not success. And after going hitless in Boston over an early April weekend, Teixeira, once again, proved to be a candid, even-keeled individual.
"If I did [let one bad weekend bother me,] I wouldn't be standing here," Teixeira told reporters. "If I did, I would have retired years and years ago. The first nine games you're going to have some funky stats. You're going to have guys that you say this guy is going to be the next MVP and he's sent down a month later. You're going to have guys that are hitting .050 and then he wins the MVP. It's such a small, small portion of the season."
There's no denying that Teixeira has had his rough patches at the plate. But every year, his production numbers always turn out great. A model of consistency, Tex in 2011 joined Eddie Mathews, Albert Pujols and Darryl Strawberry on a short list of players who have recorded at least 25 home runs in each of their first nine seasons.
5. Be benevolent: Sure, you don't have to visit sick kids in the hospital, nor must you donate to a good cause. But if you choose not to, chances are you'll be branded as a horrible human being.
MT: Teixeira has been one of the game's most benevolent stars since his rookie season. And in 2011, he donated $1 million to Harlem RBI, an academic and baseball/softball program that focuses youth on gaining college acceptance.
Teixeira has been recognized this offseason for his league-leading kindness off the field of play, taking home the March of Dimes' Sportsman of the Year award in November 2011 before being honored at Tuesday night's Thurman Munson Awards Dinner -- which benefits the AHRC-New York City Foundation's mission to help children and adults cope with intellectual and developmental disabilities -- for his on-field excellence and positive contributions to the community.
So in summary, it's tough to be a Yankee. The job, however, has come easy to Mark Teixeira, an All-Star in both the games of baseball and life.
Follow Zach on Twitter
