It is playoff time and soon all teams – from young hustlers from Colorado to the Bronx Bombers are going to start competing for the championships. It is my favorite part of the year for I get to watch my beloved New York Yankees play for another few weeks. It is also the time of the year when Derek Jeter, the face of the New York Yankees takes on a whole new aura. Diving into stands, making unbelievable plays and coming up with hits when there are none.

About two years ago, I wrote a post DJ as a good role model for start-up guys. The comments to that post weren’t all that kind, but I have not changed my opinion. Earlier this week, I read an excellent profile of Jeter in the New York Magazine, which essentially said what I really wanted to say two years ago:

He has become the hero of the Bronx because he effortlessly exudes the qualities we wish we had ourselves: He is always confident, always composed, always in control. Baseball is an unpredictable game; failure is a constant. But Jeter doesn’t allow himself to absorb it, or even really acknowledge it. He just keeps cruising along, as if playing shortstop for the most scrutinized, glorified sports franchise in the world every day for the past fourteen years is the most natural thing on earth.

As a start-up founder, one lives with threat of failure. As a leader, one needs to stay confident confident, composed and in control. You just have to assume the hits are going to come, and the win is only around the corner.

Photo of Derek Jeter by Chris Ptacek via Flickr

* Lola’s Theme by The Shapeshifters
* Little Fluffy Clouds by The Orb
* Wish you were here by Bliss
* La Raza (con Juan Sativo) by Dj Bitman.
* Hip Hip, Chin Chin by Clus des Belugas (From album, Night over Rio)
* Signs by Badmarsh & Shri Feat UK Apache.
* Take 2 Blue by Bitter:Sweet
* Lazy Lover by Barzilian Girls
* Pa’ Bailar (Siempre Qioero Mas) by Bajofondo & Julieta Venegas
* The Big Score (Dropped mix) by Fort Knox FIve
* Lunatico by Gotan Project
* Keep Your Hird by Hird
* Jardin d’hiver by Karen Ann
* Koop Island Blues by Koop

Thanks Greg!

Being not from around here (San Francisco), they got lost a little and that gave me an opportunity to walk around the mall. I had nothing in particular I needed except I had a few minutes to kill. For some odd reason I ended up in the Dockers’ company store. I say odd because I don’t wear Dockers’ pants – chinos or otherwise. My formal trousers are either Canali or custom made. And since I don’t need more than three pairs – gray, black and blue – I am okay splurging on these.

For everyday pants, I often order stuff from J. Crew, which has been consistently making great chinos. Sometimes when I am feeling adventurous I would buy casual pants from Brooks Brothers, but for me J.Crew is best value for money. What more they hem the pants to my exact specifications for free, which allows the pants to be a better fit.

Anyway, back to Dockers, a brand owned by Levi Strauss – I walked around the store and found a great pair of chinos that are just outstanding. I am not sure how they are going to stand the rigors of time, but the K-1 straight fit pants I tried out were perhaps the best fitting pants I have ever slipped on this year.

“Based on a vintage military pant from our archives, we included an authentic button fly and combat-ready cotton twill,” is how the company describes these pants that can set you back by about $68-a-pair. It is the unbelievable soft three-ply cotton twill that got me, and I was also taken in by the hook-and-eye front closure and the button fly. The only thing that doesn’t meet my standards – the deep front pockets, which look odd after you slip a blackberry and a bill fold.

Nevertheless, there is something timeless about these pants, reflecting a bygone era. Being a bit of a nostalgia-buff, I like these contemporary-spins on older fashions.

Beyond the K-1, it seems Dockers has updated the look of its entire line-up of pants, many of them priced right for today’s down economy, like $38 for a basic white shirt. I think it might be worth a visit, next time you are shopping for a pair of chinos.

I am celebrating the New York Yankees victory over Red Sox this past weekend by wearing these cuff-links made out of old New York subway tokens. I am sure I have more lying around in my storage box in New York.