Last week in The Boston Globe, Shane Jensen discusses the findings regarding Derek Jeter’s defense in an article titled: “Numbers tell a glove story”. Jensen happens to be a huge Red Sox fan and received his PhD from Harvard. Maybe Jensen and George Mitchell should have dinner together. Anyway, it is relatively known and the article agrees with the fact that defense is really difficult to quantify. The article really doesn’t scream Jensen’s bias, but his statistical analyses have to be explored further.
I am not disputing the fact that Jeter’s defensive has taken a dive in the past few years, but I am disputing the fact that he is in fact the worst shortstop in all of Major League Baseball. By watching Jeter, like most Yankee fans, from year to year, we can safely admit that Jeter (now 33) has lost a step in recent years. But I will not say this is because of lack of effort and not knowing what to do in every situation. Jeter is and will always be the smartest player on the field at all times. Since 1996, I can remember Jeter screwing up twice (mentally)…did you read that…TWICE! He clearly knows what to do with the ball and where to be in every situation. I think this analysis leaves out what pitcher is throwing, how hard he throws, types of pitches he throws, and how hard and soft the ball gets hit. It is commonly known that fielders adjust to what which batter is at the plate (and on deck), to what pitch is being thrown to the batter, and what the count is when the ball is put in play. For the most part Jeter is able to get to most balls hit his way, but he will always be in position and make every effort to catch or knock the ball down in the infield (another overlooked stat).
FYI-I believe Arod might be too big to play shortstop now. Also, Arod was a better shortstop in the majors when they both were playing shortstop.
Jeter has the intangibles and the intellect that every manager covets in all players. I don’t know where I would rank Jeter, nowadays, but he wouldn’t rank dead last if I had anything to say about it. You just don’t become Captain of the most recognizable sports franchise in history for nothing. In my opinion, what Jeter brings to the table day in and day out make him irreplaceable in the field, and I don’t care what the unreliable statistics say.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at 10:07 pm
[...] baseball people have refuted the fact that Jeter is a great defensive player. But as previously stated , Jeter clearly is not immensely hurting his team. He might have to move to another position in a [...]