from the New York Daily News

February 10, 1998

By Ian O'Connor

Derek Jeter was heading for the Garden door Sunday night, signing more autographs than Kobe Bryant, when yet another basketball fan approached to talk baseball. It was only one more hand to shake, one more face to forget, until the man opened his mouth and froze Jeter like a two-foot curve.

Derek, I'm Peyton Manning. You're having some career.

The shortstop quickly lateraled the compliment, and the two began speaking the exclusive language of the young and gifted. Behind them, out of the conversation, a third athlete was saying that Jeter was a lucky soul. Not because Jeter had made the acquaintance of a star quarterback, but because he was about to make the acquaintance of a star receiver.

"Joe Montana," Alex Rodriguez said, "just found his Jerry Rice."

On a night to watch basketball players and meet football players, Jeter was wondering about baseball players. He was sitting next to his friend and enemy, the great Rodriguez of Seattle, at the NBA All-Star Game, asking him for a scouting report on a second baseman Rodriguez had worked with during a couple exhibition games in Japan.

Rodriguez wouldn't allow professional jealousy to color his opinion. He told Jeter precisely what he wanted to hear.

"Chuck Knoblauch is such a good player I'm not even sure New York knows what it has," Rodriguez said. "Chuck and Derek are both Gold Glove-type guys on defense and great offensive players. I think this probably gives the Yankees the best shortstop-second base combination in the whole league."

On his way out of the Garden, Jeter wasn't prepared to confirm all that. He didn't need to declare Knoblauch a gift from the heavens, then have Luis Sojo and Mariano Duncan leave him months' worth of venomous voice mails.

But fact are facts. Jeter finally has found a dance partner to call his own. Whatever untapped talent sleeps inside the whiz kid at short, Knoblauch has the goods to rouse it.

"I've been a little bit spoiled because all the second basemen I've played with have helped me," Jeter said. "Mariano hit .340, Sojo and Rey Sanchez had good years.

"But Chuck can hit, steal bases, turn a double play - everything you could want in a second baseman. As a shortstop, whenever you can work with a guy like that every day, it's exciting. I'm looking forward to it. We all think we have a shot at winning another championship."

In the Bronx yesterday, the Yankees presented more flesh and blood behind the conviction. Knoblauch threw on a jersey, talked of the "chills" he felt wearing a Yankee uniform, and maintained he was a disgruntled employee in Minnesota only because the team wasn't winning.

A wine-and-roses news conference is no way to judge whether Knoblauch is indeed a hard guy to like. After a few minutes in the lights, however, this much was clear: Jerry Seinfeld he is not.

Nobody will care as long as Knoblauch and Jeter give a good show. Both won the World Series in their first seasons. Both won Rookie of the Year. Both are in their 20s.

But if Knoblauch-Jeter is a safe bet to succeed, Knoblauch-Jeter is an inch shy of a lock.

"Derek and Chuck have some things to work out," Willie Randolph said. "Derek has his style, which is a long motion on the throw. Chuck is more short and to the point. Most guys like to play with guys who have the same style.

"They're both very talented and very hard workers. But as far as them clicking, that can't be taken for granted."

Ability and know-how often render a clash of styles inconsequential. But Randolph knows from experience it isn't always that simple.

In his old age, he loved working with Dick Schofield. In his youth, he enjoyed a prosperous marriage with Bucky Dent. In between, he had no clue how to handle Roy Smalley.

Jeter and Knoblauch have all spring to sort it out.

"(Jeter) has a world of talent," Knoblauch said. "Having him work next to me will be something special."

New York already knows Jeter is a special talent. Knoblauch will be starting from scratch, his four All-Star seasons buried in a faraway land.

The son of a minor-league pitcher, Knoblauch is known for his quick feet and stubborn chin. He crowds the plate, dares pitchers to do something about it, and comes away with a .304 career average. He stole 62 bases last year. In the field, Knoblauch's speed and arm afford him the luxury of playing deep.

"People talk about (his personality), but Chuck just found it difficult to go from winning a championship to not winning," Rodriguez said. "You can't blame him for that.

"I'm a big Knoblauch fan and I think Derek will become one, too. The best thing is they can play together a long time. It's invaluable for Derek to have a counterpart like that."

Soon enough, Jeter will find out. Every kid needs a friend. Every shortstop needs a partner.

Every Montana needs a Rice.