Ever since 1996, Derek Jeter has been the face of the New York Yankees and every Yankee fan will tell you that he is one of the greatest players to ever put on a Yankee uniform. Then you have non Yankee fans, what I mean by non Yankee fans is people who hate the Yankees and who can't appreciate what the Yankees have done, who believe that Jeter is overrated and not even that good. But that is just stupid, because if you would have asked any GM in 1996 that they could have a shortstop for 15 years who averaged a .300 batting average, 180-200 hits a season and played above average defense, I'm sure they would have taken it, without taking a breath. But that's just me. But the question that I am bringing up is does Derek Jeter belong in the conversation of greatest players ever?
Now if you look at the statistics, Jeter is best producing shortstop of all time, but anyone who has read my blog before knows that numbers don't explain everything. But in Jeter's case the numbers only help, because Jeter is everything that a young and up incoming baseball player should strive to be. I believe that Jeter deserves to be in the conversations that you hear regular baseball fans discuss, who is the best baseball player ever? Ruth, Aaron, Mays.
If you look at Jeter's stats year in and year out throughout his career, you don't see one year that is different then the other. Jeter's whole career is based on consistency, and not consistently bad numbers but consistently great numbers for a shortstop. Consistency is why Jeter should be in the G.O.A.T (Greatest Of All Time) conversation. He is going to finish his career with over 3,000 hits and if he chooses to play till he is 40 years old he statistically has a shot to pass Pete Rose's all time career hits record. And if he does break Rose's record, its not because Jeter got 250 hits in one year, its because he on average gets 207 hits in a season. Jeter has only lead the league in hits once in his career, once. Just to show to relevance of that stat: Pete Rose lead the league 7 times in hits and also got 230 hits in one season.
Also one thing that people always say about players is that did they win championships in their career? I will let you answer that question yourself. Jeter has been the best overall player in baseball since 1996, and what makes players the G.O.A.T is consistently being the best player during their respected time periods and also Jeter has done this all by being clean. No connections to steroids, nothing, he goes out everyday and plays the game right. I have never heard anybody say anything bad about Jeter, never and I don't plan too. But the next time someone asks me who the G.O.A.T is my answer will be Derek Jeter and I can't wait to see his or her responses.
Hate the yankees but I have to agree with you. Jeter's an unbelievable player and a good person. He's real, hardworking and a true team player. I wouldn't go so far as to say he is the greatest player of all time, but of this era? Arguably, Yes.
ReplyDeleteExcellent - Excellent article, Derek Jeter is someone I want up with 2 outs in the 9th with the bases loaded. Jeter is what being a Yankee is all about. He represents NYC well!!! #27
ReplyDeleteAnother good blog Pete. Jeter is great because it goes beyond the numbers, he's smart on and off the field. He is a leader on the field every day, every play. He makes everyone around him better with the way he runs out every play, and is thinking on every fielding play. He is also a leader off the field, in the way he handles interviews, he never gives glib answers and never looks like a bum when he makes an appearance or does an interview. I think his leadership has helped younger guys when they get to the Yankees, they watch him and know what to do and what not to do. Win or lose he is always a class act. Keep writing and keep ROCKIN :)
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