Derek Jeter is overrated

[[ Re: OFFENSE ]] Pro admits that Jeter is an above average offensive player, and does not contend the fact that he is consistent. As I've said thus far, nobody - including the media - pretends that Derek Jeter is among the leagues elite offensive players. Instead, he's praised for his consistency. His above average numbers are routine. You know what to expect from him and he delivers. He doesn't promise to be a power hitter, slugger or big HR hitter. Instead he has proven to be the perfect lead-off batter: good eye, patient, good OBP, valuable base runner, etc. This is exactly what the media and fans have come to expect of Jeter and love him for. In order to justify the notion that he's overrated, Pro has the burden of proving that Jeter does not meet sensationalized expectations. [[ Re: THE CLUTCH ]] Bill James wonders how a not-so-great hitter suddenly becomes a better hitter when the game's on the line. Indeed he brings up a good question of whether or not being in a tough situation will suddenly make someone better than they really are. However, on the contrary I believe that the concept of clutch is more about what players can not work well under pressure as opposed to who suddenly "becomes better." I don't think anyone can become "better than they are" in a clutch situation, but rather a player who is good in the clutch is one who does not perform below their average when the game is on the line. Indeed psychology is huge factor in sports; to deny its influence is ignorant. Why do you think the crowd screams louder when their opposing team is shooting a free throw, kicking a FG, etc? The point is to distract the player or rattle their nerves. A good "clutch player" is one who does not let the burden of a big situation distract them or effect them negatively. Some players seem to demonstrate "playing better" in clutch situations but I disagree with that assessment. I would not be so foolish to assert that a player will somehow have magical powers to be better in a tough spot. Instead, I think a player who is patient and focused can learn how to not let pressure impact them in a bad way and perform to the best of their psychological ability (and let the laws of nature do the rest). Concentration is a learned skill that tends to come with experience. That's why players who have never been in the post-season, for instance, sometimes seem less comfortable than veterans. Derek Jeter is praised and called "Captain Clutch" because while A-Rod is the better hitter, he has struggled in the post-season for instance ("when it counted") whereas Jeter's experience and familiarity with being a Yankee in that situation before helped him or at least did not psychologically affect him like the situation affected A-Rod. [[ Re: DEFENSE ]] Pro says that Derek Jeter tries too hard to make an easy play look spectacular. I think this contradicts Pro's assessment about him having short range. If he contends that Jeter has short range (which I admit he does), then in order to make those "big plays" or difficult plays that require range he's going to have to work extra hard... and maybe dive into a stand or two. Jeter has to jump and dive more than others because he's not as agile. Still, he works hard on his fitness and agility and whatever he lacks in physique he makes up for in mental toughness and willingness to go the extra mile to make those big plays - even if they require some grandeur gesture. Who cares if he makes himself look good in the process? The bottom line is that he gets the job done. Pro says, "Lets not forget though, that he took three full strides after catching the ball and before he went into the stands. If it wasn't for the bloody face, it wouldn't be as remembered." Clearly Pro has either never played baseball or knows nothing whatsoever about the laws of physics if he can't understand how one's velocity and rate of speed plus impact determines the way and place one falls. The fact that Jeter would be willing to get bloody just to make a play shows a lot of guts... especially because if he had missed, he wouldn't be the hero with the bloody nose but rather just the bloody doofus. Regarding Pro's numbers about Jeter costing his team 100 runs or 10 wins, I would like to see proof of this. Prove that Jeter's performance alone has cost his team ANY games or wins. I would like details and stats about botched plays; particularly ones regarding runs. Until we see any proof then all we have is Pro's word. Pro's word against the word of fans who are hard on their players (New Yorkers are an INFAMOUSLY tough crowd) and yet who still consider Jeter one of the consistent greats. Former teammate Darryl Strawberry said, "I told him early on to avoid the pitfalls that plagued me. New York is a place that can swallow you up if you're not able to handle the pressure of success-and of failure. He handles it with class and dignity." [[ Re: THE TEAM ]] Pro begins by saying that Jeter being a Yankee has nothing to do with the team's success, because winning is a team accomplishment. Notice how this is directly contradictory to Pro's previous statement that Jeter alone cost his team several losses. Hmm. I spy a huge flaw in logic. I agree, however, that Jeter alone is not responsible for the success of the Yankees. We do have several important factors to consider though. For one, Jeter is an infamously good leader and teammate; he presents an allure for other players to want to join him and the Yankees because of his experience and reputation. For another thing, Jeter has consistently demonstrated poise and success in the Post Season. Again, if Pro wants to compare A-Rod to DJ and suggest that the Yankees would have won more games with A-Rod at SS, then he's going to have to provide some kind of stats or proof -- otherwise it's just speculation with no backing. We could sit here all day and come up with "what if" scenarios but that doesn't make any of it true. Not to mention that A-Rod has a better arm than Jeter meaning I think they made the right decision with keeping Jeter at SS. I think A-Rod adjusted better than Jeter could have. In a Jeter vs. A-Rod debate, A-Rod's abilities prevail and that's why he's the highest paid player on The Yankees. However Derek's Jeter reputation and success do not revolve SOLELY around his performance on the baseball field. He has charisma, charm and class. His attitude and work ethic are respectable and attractive. A-Rod has said about his captain, "Derek makes this team go. What happens out there begins with him." Former manager Joe Torre said, "This kid, right now, the tougher the situation, the more fire he gets in his eyes. You don't teach that." Yankees owner George Steinbrenner boasts, "The name Derek Jeter is made for stardom. He's got an infectious smile, and he's so handsome and well-behaved. He's just a fine young man who does everything right... Some guys come along who just measure up." [[ Re: CONCUSION ]] Derek Jeter is a superstar for all of the reasons and quotes I've mentioned above. He plays in one of the harshest cities in the world (in terms of pressure and criticism) yet he measures up year after year. For New Yorkers, it's not just about numbers but the way you play the game in general but also the impact you have on the people around you. So far Derek Jeter has done nothing but bring his team up. Everybody who ever has the privilege of playing with him has nothing but good things to say about his ability, talent and character. The fact that he's done so well and helped lead his team to so many momentous wins, as well as always performs consistently among the best in the league and especially in tough situations only helps his reputation. His reputation is deserved and the media does not exaggerate or overrate his abilities; rather they celebrate the ones he has. Quotes: http://www.baseballist.com...