Derek Jeter 2722

[Totally Bored]

# 1 All time Yankee hits leader.

I'm proud to say that I have seen him hit a Few.

http://gothamist.com/attachments/jen/2008_05_derekjeter.jpg

[Jon Silberman]

When you consider who's played for the Yanks over the past two millennia that's quite an achievement!

[Rev2S]

Jeter is a freakin' beast. He seems like a classy guy as well....congrats to him!!

[Yankee Univox]

:bumpbump

[boldaslove1977]

i have watched him since he hit that home run on opening day in 1996... i admit i got chills watching that hit just now.

i know people outside of ny love to hate him... but he is clearly our generation's ruth, dimaggio, gehrig or mantle... in this day and age... nobody has meant that much to one team for so long...

[Jon Silberman]

I don't know that so many people outside of NY hate Jeter. My friends and I certainly don't.

[slider313]

It's a great day in Yankee history. He works hard and it's paid off. All the NY SCHMET fans that I know hate Jeter.

[boldaslove1977]

haha... i know plenty of people HERE that hate him... they are called mets fans..

[boldaslove1977]

It's a great day in Yankee history. He works hard and it's paid off. I know all the NY SCHMET fans hate Jeter.

haha... you beat me to it...

[Guitar Josh]

I am contractually obligated to hate the Yankees.

[slider313]

I am contractually obligated to hate the Yankees.

Are you in Boston?

[stevieboy]

I agree with Jon. He gets a well deserved pass on the Yankee hatin', for the most part. Except actually during road games, but that's to be expected. (Excluding Red Sox fans of course.)

It's a little surprising to me that with their great history no career Yankee has reached 3000. I imagine Derek will change that before he's through

[Rev2S]

The Mets' fans hate Jeter so much because Jeter alone is better than the Mets team combined. Haha...

[boldaslove1977]

they were just talking about that during the game... i forget what the exact numbers were... but if he gets something like 170 hits a year for so many more years... he will actually pass pete rose... he's ahead of rose's pace at this point in his career.

[Stereo Dynamo]

I think he's a great player, but there's no question he's ridiculously overrated. This is a great accomplishment, and he seems like a great guy, but he's not even in the top 5 Yankees of all time (not that there's anything wrong with that). Shit, he hasn't even been the best player on the Yankees any single season he's played. Again, great player, but hugely overrated.

[boldaslove1977]

I think he's a great player, but there's no question he's ridiculously overrated. This is a great accomplishment, and he seems like a great guy, but he's not even in the top 5 Yankees of all time (not that there's anything wrong with that). Shit, he hasn't even been the best player on the Yankees any single season he's played. Again, great player, but hugely overrated.

mets fan?

[Stereo Dynamo]

Nope. Care to prove me wrong?

[Josh O]

Go Jetes!!! It's funny about the hatred thing because there's guys I work with (Red Sox, Mets and Dodgers fans) who hate Jeter because they can. When asked why, they have no good explanation than "because". I don't know if its because of his image, the fact he doesn't seek out attention, or what but there are definetely some Jeter haters out there for sure.

[AgentWalrus]

650+ more at bats than lou. hell still hit 3400 but people are underestimating for lack of a better word the greatness that was lou. dude averaged like 160 RBIs a season and never hit 50 hr in a season

[boldaslove1977]

everyone is entitled to their opinion... i just disagree... and i'm right... haha...

:hide

i could write books... but i won't bore you. i'll just say he has won 4 rings while being near the top of the league in batting average every year... he's made some ridiculous plays in the field in huge situations (the flip vs. the a's, the dive vs. boston, etc) and now has more hits in a yankee uniform than guys named ruth, mantle, gehrig, dimaggio, berra, maris, mattingly... and on and on. you can say he's overrated... but you can't argue with anything i just said... those are all facts...

[Totally Bored]

I think he's a great player, but there's no question he's ridiculously overrated. .


If you don't watch every Yankee Game than you won't understand why he is so important to the team. Everytime something big happens, Derek is right there in the middle of it.

[Stereo Dynamo]

Gehrig, DiMaggio, Mantle, Ruth, Berra, Mariano ****ing Rivera, Whitey Ford. A-Rod will son pass him, and he hasn't even been a Yankee for more than 5 years. All much better Yankees than Jeter. Without Mo, the Yankees wouldn't have won much in the late 90s, but, he's not the dreamy dreamy pumpkin that Jeter is, so no accolades for him. Jeter has ranked consistently for the past 12 years as one of the worse defensive shortstops in the game, but somehow he's this God of a player. He has been a consistently good player no doubt, and there's a lot to say about that, but if I had to pick the most overrated player in the history of baseball, it would have to be Jeter.

Anyway, great accomplishment tonight for him, and he deserves the applause for that.

[Yankee Univox]

People on opposing teams hate DJ for 1 simple reason...with both bat,and glove,he's killed them so many X over the years! :boxer

[Stereo Dynamo]

If you don't watch every Yankee Game than you won't understand why he is so important to the team. Everytime something big happens, Derek is right there in the middle of it.

I do. I'm a Yankee fan. I'm also a reasonable Yankee fan. I don't say things like "every time something big happens, Derek is right there in the middle of it" because (1) it's not true and (2) it's quite a stupid thing to say.

[boldaslove1977]

Gehrig, DiMaggio, Mantle, Ruth, Berra, Mariano ****ing Rivera, Whitey Ford. A-Rod will son pass him, and he hasn't even been a Yankee for more than 5 years. All much better Yankees than Jeter. Without Mo, the Yankees wouldn't have won much in the late 90s, but, he's not the dreamy dreamy pumpkin that Jeter is, so no accolades for him. Jeter has ranked consistently for the past 12 years as one of the worse defensive shortstops in the game, but somehow he's this God of a player. He has been a consistently good player no doubt, and there's a lot to say about that, but if I had to pick the most overrated player in the history of baseball, it would have to be Jeter.

Anyway, great accomplishment tonight for him, and he deserves the applause for that.

2 points to make...

1. those defensive stats are complete BS... i would take him over almost any other SS in the league... even now... at age 35.

2. i never thought i would see the phrase "dreamy dreamy pumpkin" on this site... not even in a john mayer thread...:banana

[Yankee Univox]

I think he's a great player, but there's no question he's ridiculously overrated. This is a great accomplishment, and he seems like a great guy, but he's not even in the top 5 Yankees of all time (not that there's anything wrong with that). Shit, he hasn't even been the best player on the Yankees any single season he's played. Again, great player, but hugely overrated.
Whachoo talkin' bout Willis? :huh

I'm quite confident Jeter will play another 5 years,with at least 3 of them at or very close to his current level. Who knows how massive the #s will be when he finally hangs it up?! :bow

[stevieboy]

No accolades for Rivera?

That wouldn't be my perception. Absolutely the most highly regarded closer over his career. First ballot hall of famer. If he and Jeter retire the same year, they'll go in together.

Maybe you're too close to the forest to see the trees.

[boldaslove1977]

i had this discussion with my yankee fan friends the other day... mo is just as appreciated and loved in this town... but the fact he pitches one inning at at time a few days a week makes him far less visible... that's all...

as a mets fan said to me... we have no idea what it's like to regularly sweat out the ninth inning in a tight game... we almost forgot what it was like to have to worry about that... because mo is lights out 99.9% of the time...

[Yankee Univox]

Rivera is great,but it's Jeter's night you know?

[Totally Bored]

I do. I'm a Yankee fan. I'm also a reasonable Yankee fan. I don't say things like "every time something big happens, Derek is right there in the middle of it" because (1) it's not true and (2) it's quite a stupid thing to say.




You sir, have No Class and don't deserve to be a Yankee Fan.


May the NYC finest escort you out of the Bronx if you dare decide to visit.

[57special]

My wife isn't even a baseball fan, and she thinks Rivera is a more of a dreamy dreamy pumpkin than Jeter.
Not a Yankee fan, but i have total respect for him. To say that he isn't as good as Rivera, Gehrig, Ruth, Mantle, Berra and Ford isn't much of a criticism. Let's see how A-Rod performs over time sans steroids...

[Mondoslug]

I think he's a great player, but there's no question he's ridiculously overrated. This is a great accomplishment, and he seems like a great guy, but he's not even in the top 5 Yankees of all time (not that there's anything wrong with that). Shit, he hasn't even been the best player on the Yankees any single season he's played. Again, great player, but hugely overrated.
He's as clutch as they come.

[Yankee Univox]

You sir, have No Class and don't deserve to be a Yankee Fan.I really have a tough time believing that a TRUE fan would even say the shit he did! :Spank

[Totally Bored]

I really have a tough time believing that a TRUE fan would even say the shit he did! :Spank


He ain't no True Fan, fagettaboutit.

[slider313]

Jeter leads by example. He works hard and the team feeds off his ethic. He acts like a gentleman and is quiet by todays standards in an excessive and over exposed media. Especially when compared to say.....Sheffield, who argues every pitch he doesn't think is a strike. The main reason SchMet fans hate Jeter is he's consistant and he's a winner; two things they'll never be.

[TBoneDeluxe]

they were just talking about that during the game... i forget what the exact numbers were... but if he gets something like 170 hits a year for so many more years... he will actually pass pete rose... he's ahead of rose's pace at this point in his career.

It would take a little over 9 seasons at that rate. I doubt he'll be playing at 44.

I HATE the Yankees, but I've never had anything bad to say about Jeter. One of the few Yankees I've ever liked! Though I agree with some of the sentiments here. Definitely not a top 5 all time Yankee. But top ten!

[boldaslove1977]

yeah don't quote me on the numbers... it was something like if he plays into his early 40's... 40... 41.. 42... which is possible if he stays in shape like he has. either way, when he's done he'll have more hits than most people who ever stepped on the field in the history of the game...

[TBoneDeluxe]

Yeah, he'll probably end up in the 3500 range if he stays healthy.

[Analog Delay]

No accolades for Rivera?

That wouldn't be my perception. Absolutely the most highly regarded closer over his career. First ballot hall of famer. If he and Jeter retire the same year, they'll go in together.

Maybe you're too close to the forest to see the trees.

I'm a Yankee fan, a Jeter fan and a Rivera fan. But, the closer is the most overrated position in all of professional sports and no closer should ever make the hall of fame on the first ballot.

Don't get me wrong, if I was a GM and I needed a relief pitcher and Rivera was available, he'd be the guy I'd go after. He rarely blows a save. But saves are the most overrated stat in baseball. That's why there have been so many stiffs over the years to have seasons in which they record 30-40 saves. Mike Williams was a closer for the Pirates for a number of years and he recorded 30-40 saves while having ERAs over 5.00. How hard is it to get three outs while only having to protect a three run lead?

Again, this is no knock on Rivera, he's been an incredible closer for the Yanks. I just feel that a guy who's your most dominant reliever should be used in sticky situations where you're really in a jam regardless of what inning it is, rather than saving him for the ninth inning so he can pad his save total.

[stevieboy]

You're one of those sabermetric guys, I bet!

I think the closer has a lot of effect, and often influence manager decisions on both sides as the ninth approaches in a tight game. And more often not a three run lead, that's a bit arbitrary--as most statiscally based analysis tends to be. After the game, you can talk about overrated and stats, going into the ninth, the closer gets the call.

[Analog Delay]

You're one of those sabermetric guys, I bet!

I think the closer has a lot of effect, and often influence manager decisions on both sides as the ninth approaches in a tight game.

Not really much of a sabermetrics guy, those stats are too complicated for me. I just think if I was a manager and I had a guy on my team who I could really count on to get me out of a jam, I'd use him wherever I needed him the most as opposed to saving him for the ninth inning in hopes that I'll need him to preserve a lead.

[stevieboy]

A lot of managers will bring in the closer in a tie game in the ninth, and also bring them in to finish the eighth.

But they have to have guys they can count on besides the closer. One reason they save the closer for the classic save situation is that they have to manage their appearances over the long run, including the times they warm up in the bullpen--they can't get ready two or three times a night. They can't just bring them in any tight situation in every game. I think in that regard it works out for them over the long haul to limit them to the ninth in save situations.

[Analog Delay]

A lot of managers will bring in the closer in a tie game in the ninth, and also bring them in to finish the eighth.

But they have to have guys they can count on besides the closer. One reason they save the closer for the classic save situation is that they have to manage their appearances over the long run, including the times they warm up in the bullpen--they can't get ready two or three times a night. They can't just bring them in any tight situation in every game. I think in that regard it works out for them over the long haul to limit them to the ninth in save situations.

I pretty much agree with what you're saying. I'd just build and utilize a bullpen with a bit of a different approach.

If I had a one run lead in the ninth, then having that Rivera type guy available is a plus for sure. But the save statistic is flawed as it really isn't that difficult to earn one in many situations.

[schmit]

Michael Kay...the Yankees TV announcer...told a story last night after DJ broke the record. He said that the scout for the, I believe, Texas Rangers told the team to pick Jeter in the draft out of high school....he'd bet his career on the pick....The Rangers went with someone else and the scout quit his job the next day and never scouted for any team ever again.....he just knew

I hope the media doesn't do what they normally do......when someone is on the top of the heap, they do everything they can to knock them off......Derek doesn't deserve that......this guy is a class act......

[Luke]

Derek seems to be a great person and he is an above average baseball player that has been blessed with being healthy most of his career. While I am sure he works very hard to accomplish his achievements, I doubt even he considers himself on level with Lou. Lou was DYING his last two seasons. And lest not forget Lou was the FIRST person to have their number retired, for a reason.

Obviously # 2 will be retired, leaving # 6 as the only single digit left (they won't retire it under Torre IMO).

[Blanket Jackson]

I'm a Mets fan, which means that it's a good day whenever the Yankees loose regardless of what happens across Jamaica Bay. Just the same, gotta say I am really happy for the guy - to have gotten more hits than all of those luminaries is amazing. Pretty illustrious company. And a guy that loves the game too, no 'roids or drama. Makes me proud to be a New Yorker.

[Luke]

I thought it was the Houston Astros.

But the story doesn't make sense. As a scout you are paid to ADVISE, the GM has the final say along with ownership. And that guy is still in baseball in a different capacity.

Michael Kay...the Yankees TV announcer...told a story last night after DJ broke the record. He said that the scout for the, I believe, Texas Rangers told the team to pick Jeter in the draft out of high school....he'd bet his career on the pick....The Rangers went with someone else and the scout quit his job the next day and never scouted for any team ever again.....he just knew

I hope the media doesn't do what they normally do......when someone is on the top of the heap, they do everything they can to knock them off......Derek doesn't deserve that......this guy is a class act......

[twinrider1]

4256.
There, now that we've settled that. :-)

I'm happy for Jeter, but I guess I just don't see why it's a big deal. Career hits isn't a strongpoint for the Yankees organization. Slow news day.

I saw him play minor league ball for the Columbus Clippers, and it was obvious even to me that he was special.

[schmit]

I thought it was the Houston Astros.

But the story doesn't make sense. As a scout you are paid to ADVISE, the GM has the final say along with ownership. And that guy is still in baseball in a different capacity.



you're right it was the Astros......I knew it was a team from Texas.....I was dozing when he told the story.....I found this about the scout



Newhouser was taken by the aura that emanated from the teenager, and strongly lobbied the Astros to draft Jeter. There were initially concerns that Jeter -- who had been promised a scholarship at the University of Michigan -- would hold out for a signing bonus of $1 million or more, a large sum at that time. "No one is worth $1 million," Newhouser told his supervisor. "But if one kid is worth that, it's this kid."

Newhouser got to know Jeter's family and wrote the young shortstop a letter, advising him to swing a bat as much as he could, to toughen his hands. Al Kaline bought a tee and a ball and swung at it all winter, Newhouser wrote. Look where it got him, the Hall of Fame.

Shortly before the draft, O'Brien talked to Newhouser and explained that the Astros would pass on Jeter and take Phil Nevin, a good offensive prospect from Cal State Fullerton; Nevin had agreed to a $700,000 signing bonus. "It's an organizational decision," O'Brien told Newhouser. Four other players were drafted before Jeter: Cleveland picked pitcher Paul Shuey, Montreal took pitcher B.J. Wallace, Baltimore selected outfielder Jeffrey Hammonds, and Cincinnati took outfielder Chad Mottola fifth. The Yankees picked Jeter sixth. Newhouser was devastated. If he couldn't convince the Astros to take Jeter, he figured, then he could never convince them of anything. The former player who had happily driven hours and sat through cold weather to see baseball quit his job and left the game he loved for good.

[coldfingaz]

Gehrig, DiMaggio, Mantle, Ruth, Berra, Mariano ****ing Rivera, Whitey Ford. A-Rod will son pass him, and he hasn't even been a Yankee for more than 5 years. All much better Yankees than Jeter. Without Mo, the Yankees wouldn't have won much in the late 90s, but, he's not the dreamy dreamy pumpkin that Jeter is, so no accolades for him.

:rotflmao:rotflmao:rotflmao
The fact that you even brought A-Rod into this tells me you don't value class, dedication, performing in the cluth or even fair play as much as you do raw statistics. Bringing Rivera into it is even more senseless because nobody in their right mind can dispute he's among the very best (if not the best) closer ever to play the game. So, exactly how does he have ANYTHING to do with Jeter? Mo gets plenty of respect, and he always will. Jeter will never be viewed as the best SS to ever play the game, but he's definitely one of the best Yankees ever. He's garnered as much respect as anyone (including Ripken) in the modern game because he flat out deserves it based on the way he plays the game. Class, clutch and a winner on the biggest stage since his rookie year.


Jeter has ranked consistently for the past 12 years as one of the worse defensive shortstops in the game, but somehow he's this God of a player.

This is entirely inaccurate. Are you still hung up on last year? Jeter has never been the best defender, but he's solid & he's made as many truly clutch defensive plays as any infielder in the game today.


He has been a consistently good player no doubt, and there's a lot to say about that, but if I had to pick the most overrated player in the history of baseball, it would have to be Jeter.

Totally your opinion, which you are entitled to, but I don't understand why you've tried to pass off your view as fact.

[Totally Bored]

Jeter has ranked consistently for the past 12 years as one of the worse defensive shortstops in the game, but somehow he's this God of a player. He has been a consistently good player no doubt, and there's a lot to say about that, but if I had to pick the most overrated player in the history of baseball, it would have to be Jeter.


O yes he sucks at SS for the past 12 years.

Golden Gloves 2004, 2005 amd 2006. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:AL_SS_Gold_Glove_Award)



Derek Jeter is a great player. You can try to to dis-credit him all you want but the Facts may get in the way.

Derek Jeter (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derek_Jeter)





.

[Mondoslug]

Derek Jeter is a great player. You can try to to dis-credit him all you want but the Facts may get in the way

I get why anti Yanks hate 'em...he's goody two shoes guy. It's like hating Brady. I hate the Pats & him... but he's great.

[Polynitro]

Im a Mets fan so I should hate the Jeter but hes awesome. Whats interesting about his hits is they are almost dead even at home and on the road, something like 1360/1362.

[Stereo Dynamo]

I rest my case. In every single one of my posts, I stated how he has been a consistently good player, but just overrated. Every response to that is, well, I'm not a true Yankees' fan, I have no idea what I'm talking about, Jeter's "as clutch as they come" (gulp, that one's a classic!), I'm wrong when presenting defensive stats, I'm discrediting him, etc... This is too funny....

And to the guy who presented the gold gloves as "evidence" of Jeter being a good defensive shortstop, let me just state this: Rafael Palmeiro won a gold glove in a year spent as the DH. That should be enough to dismiss this, but I know it won't be for you cuz we're talking about Jeter, the dreamy dreamy pumpkin! He has class! He is clutch! And he is a winner!

In the words of the immortal Michael Kay: Past the diving Jeter!

Edit: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/jon_weisman/02/03/defense.metrics/index.html Love the quote in the middle, as it pretty much nails down this thread.

[mge80]

the dreamy dreamy pumpkin! He has class! He is clutch! And he is a winner!


None of which can be used to describe yourself, which...in the end...is the true root of your "opinion".

Thanks for playing. We have some nice parting gifts for you.:beer

[coldfingaz]

I rest my case. In every single one of my posts, I stated how he has been a consistently good player, but just overrated. Every response to that is, well, I'm not a true Yankees' fan, I have no idea what I'm talking about, Jeter's "as clutch as they come" (gulp, that one's a classic!), I'm wrong when presenting defensive stats, I'm discrediting him, etc... This is too funny....

And to the guy who presented the gold gloves as "evidence" of Jeter being a good defensive shortstop, let me just state this: Rafael Palmeiro won a gold glove in a year spent as the DH. That should be enough to dismiss this, but I know it won't be for you cuz we're talking about Jeter, the dreamy dreamy pumpkin! He has class! He is clutch! And he is a winner!

In the words of the immortal Michael Kay: Past the diving Jeter!

Edit: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/jon_weisman/02/03/defense.metrics/index.html Love the quote in the middle, as it pretty much nails down this thread.



You've done a terrible job explaining why you think he's overrated. Who rates him so high? Who claims he's a better ballplayer than Gehrig, Rivera, etc.? I've never heard Jeter even mentioned in the same sentence as the likes of Ted Williams or Willie Mays, have you? I can't recall anyone saying he was anywhere close to being the best defensive shortstop even of his generation, but your claims that he was "one of the worst in the game" for the past 12 years is comical.

Is Jeter overrated because you don't like that he's so popular among fans, players and the NY media? Or are you still disgusted about that last Gold Glove he won 3 years ago?

There must be some text book psychological term (penis envy?) for folks that conveniently try to tear down others as they hit major milestones like this, especially when they bring such nonsense as good looks into their criticisms.

[Stereo Dynamo]

You've done a terrible job explaining why you think he's overrated. Who rates him so high? Who claims he's a better ballplayer than Gehrig, Rivera, etc.? I've never heard Jeter even mentioned in the same sentence as the likes of Ted Williams or Willie Mays, have you.

You obviously have reading comprehension problems. But, since you asked, you can start at post #5 in this very thread. If you don't think Derek Jeter is overrated by the sports media and, especially, in NYC, then there's nothing much I can do for you.

I can't recall anyone saying he was anywhere close to being the best defensive shortstop even of his generation, but your claims that he was "one of the worst in the game" for the past 12 years is comical.

It may be comical to you, but it doesn't stop being a fact. You don't have to believe me. Heck, I never ask anybody to believe me. You can check for yourself. Go ahead, go to baseball prospectus and check for defense data for shortstops for the past 12 years. Do it, and you will see Jeter consistently in the bottom. Stop being ignorant, and do it. This is a fact, whether you like it or not.

Is Jeter overrated because you don't like that he's so popular among fans, players and the NY media? Or are you still disgusted about that last Gold Glove he won 3 years ago?

It's very simple. He's overrated because he is. He is nowhere near the player people say he is. He hasn't even been the best player in his team since he was brought up from the minors. There's no doubt he's been, and still is, a very good player, probably worthy of the Hall of Fame, but he is simply not the player people claim he is. It's very simple: had Jeter been the shortstop all these years for the Kansas City Royals, we wouldn't be having these discussions.

And by the way, baseball players should be disgusted he won the Gold Glove 3 years ago. It was a slap in the face to all the better defensive players that year who deserved it over him. Then again, any knowledgeable baseball fan knows that Gold Gloves are a joke, so I'm not surprised you brought it up in your defense of Jeter's defense.

There must be some text book psychological term (penis envy?) for folks that conveniently try to tear down others as they hit major milestones like this, especially when they bring such nonsense as good looks into their criticisms.

Again, you obviously have reading comprehension problems.

[Trandy]

You obviously have reading comprehension problems. But, since you asked, you can start at post #5 in this very thread. If you don't think Derek Jeter is overrated by the sports media and, especially, in NYC, then there's nothing much I can do for you.



It may be comical to you, but it doesn't stop being a fact. You don't have to believe me. Heck, I never ask anybody to believe me. You can check for yourself. Go ahead, go to baseball prospectus and check for defense data for shortstops for the past 12 years. Do it, and you will see Jeter consistently in the bottom. Stop being ignorant, and do it. This is a fact, whether you like it or not.



It's very simple. He's overrated because he is. He is nowhere near the player people say he is. He hasn't even been the best player in his team since he was brought up from the minors. There's no doubt he's been, and still is, a very good player, probably worthy of the Hall of Fame, but he is simply not the player people claim he is. It's very simple: had Jeter been the shortstop all these years for the Kansas City Royals, we wouldn't be having these discussions.

And by the way, baseball players should be disgusted he won the Gold Glove 3 years ago. It was a slap in the face to all the better defensive players that year who deserved it over him. Then again, any knowledgeable baseball fan knows that Gold Gloves are a joke, so I'm not surprised you brought it up in your defense of Jeter's defense.



Again, you obviously have reading comprehension problems.

The Hall of Fame is not for good, or very good. It is for those who are deemed to be the very best players. Jeter will be a first ballot Hall of Famer...there is no doubt about that.

You have no way of knowing what Jeter might have done if he had played for Kansas City. It is merely conjecture on your part.

Rafael Palmiero won a Gold glove the year that he was only a DH? Please state the year.

Your assertion is that Jeter is overrated. My question to you is:

"Compared to whom"?

Make sure and list the number of World Series rings these "better" shortstops have.

[coldfingaz]

You obviously have reading comprehension problems.

Pot kettle black.

It now seems pretty clear that you're just sick of the NYC's media obsession with Jeter, which is fine, but why not just say that's why you feel he's overrated instead of acting like somebody said he was a better HR hitter than Frank Robinson or a better fielder than Brooks Robinson?

Your repeated characterization of Jeter being a bottom of the barrel SS in the entire league for the past 12 seasons might be better explained if you posted a link to the Baseball Prospectus site that so clearly displays this "fact". But, I bet you would have done that already if it was really that simple.

To clarify just a couple of several misstatements you made about my post, I never said Jeter was a top defensive player and I also never said his Golden Glove awards were proof of that. But...:bong

Perhaps you'll find these lifetime SS fielding percentages to be somewhat interesting. While this doesn't paint a full picture, at least it's more than what you offered while explaining why he so obviously sucks in the field.

Hanley Ramirez: .968
Miguel Tejada: .972
Jose Reyes: .974
Derek Jeter: .975
Jimmy Rollins: .982
Omar Vizquel: .986

Maybe Jeter's fielding doesn't stink quite as bad as you think? Naaaaaah, that's probably just me being ignorant again.

Aside from Bon Jovi, I kinda like dreamy little pumpkins. Part of what makes this one so special is that he never had to be the best player on his team to make his team great. The Yankees were largely devoid of offensive "super stars" in the midst of their last dynasty, and any historian would agree Jeter was a core part of that nucleus.

Go compare A-Rod's (clearly, the better offensive player) postseason stats vs. Jeter's sometime just for grins.

[dangerine49]

Gehrig, DiMaggio, Mantle, Ruth, Berra, Mariano ****ing Rivera, Whitey Ford. A-Rod will son pass him, and he hasn't even been a Yankee for more than 5 years. All much better Yankees than Jeter. Without Mo, the Yankees wouldn't have won much in the late 90s, but, he's not the dreamy dreamy pumpkin that Jeter is, so no accolades for him. Jeter has ranked consistently for the past 12 years as one of the worse defensive shortstops in the game, but somehow he's this God of a player. He has been a consistently good player no doubt, and there's a lot to say about that, but if I had to pick the most overrated player in the history of baseball, it would have to be Jeter.

Anyway, great accomplishment tonight for him, and he deserves the applause for that.

I've heard this "Jeter is overrated" bullshit for quite a while now, and it's utter nonsense and many times just sour grapes. He's been a major factor for the success of the Yankees since 1996, but comparing him to Ruth, Gehrig, Mantle, Berra, Rivera, Dimaggio, Rivera and Ford is ridiculous. He's not a pitcher or a catcher or a power hitter. He's still been getting a buzz this year as an MVP candidate because of his great year. What he is is a solid fielder with a strong arm, a great hitter, a smart baserunner, but his most important feature doesn't show up on a stat chart. That's his drive, intelligence and will to win. That's why he's CAPTAIN of the Yankees and that is not given out lightly.

If he retired today, his numbers would qualify him for the HOF. When he retires, the only question will be whether he's inducted in the first year of eligibilty or not. The Gehrig hit thing is an internal Yankee achievement, but when you consider who else has played for them, it's still pretty impressive. In August he passed Luis Aparichio for the most hits as a shortstop for all of baseball. He has a career .316 average and his .975 fielding average is up there with the best of them. For comparison, HOF Robin Yount's BA was .285 and fielding avg. was .972.

Plus when it counts, Jeter is CLUTCH in the post season. So on my team, I can't think of another shortstop that I would want.

[Betos]

Jeter is overrated for one simple reason: the jealousy of those who consider him overrated!

He's clearly been the HEART of the Yankees team for over a decade - a team which was one MULTIPLE World Series' during that time, one of which included Mr. Jeter as World Series MVP.

Now he's the ALL TIME hit leader for the Yankees - let me say it again - ALL TIME HIT LEADER FOR THE NY YANKEES!!!


Overrated? No. Living legend is more like it.


~Betos

[derekd]

As a decidedly NON YANKEE fan, I have watched Jeter single handedly dismantle my Royals time after time. All the comparisons of him with Yankee greats, and him not measuring up are laughable. Frankly, I think he is better than most of them.

He is one of the best players to play the game. Time will tell if he outlasts some of his peers, and has to be moved over to 2nd or 3rd because of erosion of skills, but the guy is just a complete player. His numbers don't lie. Who knows if his name is on "the list", along with A-Rod's? Sox fans are gonna gripe because he is a Yankee. Short of that, I just don't see the argument.

[wolf9309]

As a red sox fan, I hate when we play him (case in point the first pitch of the game homer last time they played...), but unlike certain other yankees, I don't hate him, or even dislike him.