"The Captain": The Journey of Derek Jeter by Ian O'Connor

Jeff Glor interviews Ian O'Connor about his latest book, "The Captain."

Jeff Glor: What inspired you to write the book?

Ian O'Connor: As I say in the Introduction to The Captain, the answer is found in my son's closet, a mini-warehouse of youth baseball jerseys graced by the frayed No. 2. With Derek Jeter nearing the end of his iconic career, not to mention a milestone (3,000 hits) no New York Yankee has reached, I thought it was the right time to do a head-to-toe examination of his mass appeal. He is the DiMaggio of his time, a beloved but distant figure. My goal was to humanize Jeter. I wanted to paint a public portrait of a private man (warts included) while celebrating his dignified approach and explaining why his No. 2 is No. 1 in the closets of kids everywhere.

JG: What surprised you the most during the writing process?

IO: As a newspaper and Internet columnist I had covered Jeter's entire career, so I had a fairly good handle on him. I knew his opponents respected him and appreciated the way he carried himself, but I was struck by the depth and unanimity of that sentiment. Professional athletes are known to whisper harsh critiques about their most successful peers, sometimes with more than a hint of glee. Jeter? As I wrote in the book, his detractors were really admirers who were willing (when nudged) to address his human flaws (and likely felt about it afterward).

JG: What would you be doing if you weren't a writer?

IO: I suppose it is too late in the game for me to replace Jeter someday as shortstop of the Yankees. That was my backyard dream as a kid, anyway - to play for the Yankees or Dallas Cowboys, take your pick. But in the real world, I believe I would be teaching American history at a high school or college, with a focus on the wars that shaped the nation. I love history, and I've always been fascinated by the hows and whys of war and inspired by the courage and sacrifice of those who serve. And in the end, what's more rewarding than helping young people grow?

JG: What else are you reading right now?

IO: Paul Solotaroff, a terrific writer for Men's Journal and Rolling Stone, has a book out called The Body Shop, and it is a raw and riveting memoir on his steroid use as a young man. I'm also halfway through Bill Carter's The War For Late Night, about the mano a mano between Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien at NBC. Great, entertaining stuff.

JG: What's next for you?

IO: I will continue writing columns for ESPNNewYork.com, and hosting a weekly radio show on 1050 ESPN in New York. The Captain is my third non-fiction sports book, so after I catch my breath I'd like to expand my boundaries and try my hand at fiction.

For more on "The Captain," visit the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt website.