Day 28: I Can Change

As a child, Derek Jeter grew up watching and admiring Dave Winfield. The Hall of Famer Winfield was a legendary athlete who not only performed at a high level in many sports (Winfield won a Big-Ten Basketball Championship as a member of the Minnesota Golden Gophers in 1972), but also performed where it counts most, off the field. Winfield was one of the first athletes to form his own charitable foundation, The Winfield Foundation.

Following in Winfield's footsteps, Jeter has created his own charitable organization named, Turn 2 Foundation. The Turn 2 Foundation was started in 1996. The goal of the mission is:

To create and support signature programs and activities that motivate young people to turn away from drugs and alcohol and "TURN 2" healthy lifestyles. Through these ventures, the Foundation strives to create outlets that promote and reward academic excellence, leadership development and positive behavior. Turn 2's goal is to see the children of these programs grow safely and successfully into adulthood and become the leaders of tomorrow.

Recently, Jeter held a celebrity golf tournament in Tampa, Florida. From an article on the mlb.com web site, Jeter is interviewed by ex-big leaguer, Harold Reynolds who was a terrific shortstop himself.

Artists like John Legend provided the entertainment for Derek Jeter's Turn 2 Foundation event. (MLB.com)

"And my dad is a drug-and-alcohol-abuse counselor, and this is something that I think hits every family, regardless of your race (or) how much money your family makes -- it's an issue that everyone has to deal with. And we thought it was fitting to start the foundation after my first year, and here we are 12 years later."

Jeter's charity weekend included a launch party on a big yacht with music from John Legend, a silent auction and the golf tournament. Oscar winner Freeman showed up along with some baseball stars and even Jeter's former bench coach and buddy for life, the irrepressible Don Zimmer.

In fact, when asked by Reynolds how he gets all these big names to continue to turn up at Turn 2 events, Jeter smiled. "It's been fairly easy, with the exception of Zimmer," Jeter quipped. "Everyone else, I just call them and they come. (With) Zim, you gotta send cars, you gotta pay him a little appearance fee and things like that."

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From DerekJeter.com... On Saturday night, guests were treated to a soundtrack courtesy of Jeter family friend DJ Premier and, of course, a short set by Legend, whom Jeter was very proud to have in attendance.

"It's kind of amazing all the support we've gotten throughout the years, and now we have arguably one of the most talented musicians in the world out here to help out the foundation and give his time for a few days," Jeter said.

Legend said he wouldn't have missed such a special and important event.

"I'm happy to participate," he said. "I think Derek's doing a great thing working with the kids in the city, giving them something constructive to do, and I'm proud to be a part of this."

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Today's Baseball Song of the Day is from the artist who performed at Jeter's celebrity charity event, John Legend. After appearing on countless other artists works (Lauryn Hill, Kanye West, Jay-Z et all), Legend released his first album "Get Lifted" in 2004. Growing up in family surrounded by music and performing in his local church, Legend's music is a mix of gospel, Philly hip-hop, and old school soul.

Today's BSOD is in honor of Jeter's foundation, and the idea that it's never too late to be able to change and make your life better. The song is titled, "I Can Change." Tying into the idea of the baseball term of "turning two" to get the double play, joining in with Legend to complete the second half of the song is Snoop Dogg.

BSOD 28: I Can Change
Artist: John Legend
Album: Get Lifted
Released: September 2004



I Can Change Lyrics

Snoop talking
Hey yo nephew check this out man
Now I know you got that bad chick right there
You aint even tripping off of her
But she doing all of that for you
She got this, she got that
She’s off the hizzle
I mean when you find one like that
You got to make that change man
Cuz they don’t come too often
And when they do come
You gotta be smart enough to know when to change
Like Sam Cooke say change gon’ come nephew
And you better believe that

As I look back on all that I've done to you
My biggest regrets
The things that I never could do
I see the light now baby it's shining through
Gotta give up the game
Yeah I got some changin’ to do

I won’t get high if you want it
Get that straight
9 to 5 if you want it
Keep my ass home at night if you want it
Whatever you need me to do

When you talk I’ma listen
Give you all that attention you missing
Girl I swear I’ma handle my business
Just like a real man should do

I can change
I can change (you know I can change baby)
I can change
For you (you know I can stop baby)
I can change (you know I change baby)
I can change
I can change
For you (you know I can stop baby)

I’ll give up all the places I used to go
Stay out the club
Stay home because I’m with you
I’ll give up all those girls that I used to know
They don’t compare
Baby I swear it’s the truth (you know it’s the truth baby)

So I’m through with the women
Yeah that’s right
I give up on the pimpin’
Girl I’m gonna repent from my sinnin’
If that’s what you want me to do

I’ll get right if you want it
Go to church
Get baptized if you want it
Girl you opened my eyes and I’m gonna
Be much better for you

Baby believe me
Baby believe me

I can change (you know I can change baby)
I can change (know I can change baby)
I can change
For you
I can change
I can change
I can change
For you

Snoop’s Rap
Take me to the river
And baptize my soul
I’m so outta control
Needing someone to hold
Man it’s cold
I aint been clubbin’, drinkin’, or smokin’
I’m focused
Bowin’ down every night prayin’ and hopin’

I’m trying to figure out a way
But I just don’t know how to say
But I’m rearrangin’
Hopefully I’m changin’
And you can see that
Baby cuz it’s hard for me
Kinda sorta odd for me
But aint nothing to it
If you need me to do it
I guess…

I can change
I can change
I can change
For you (I’ll give up on the pimpin’ for you)
I can change
I can change
I can change
For you (sing it again y’all)

I can change
I can change
I can change
For you
I can change
I can change
I can change
For you

You know I can stop baby

Gotta believe me (you gotta belive me baby)
Gotta believe me (mmm yeah)
I telling the truth

You know I can stop baby

Gotta believe me (believe me)
Gotta believe me (believe me yeah)
I’m telling the truth

Get baptized if you want it
This time I mean it

Gotta believe me (this time I mean it)
Gotta believe me
I'm telling the truth

Related Links:
www.derekjeter.com
www.johnlegend.com