Derek Jeter is overrated

Basically this debate comes down to whether or not Derek Jeter is overrated, i.e. rated too highly, overestimated, or given unwarranted praised. I negate on all accounts. For one thing, Derek Jeter isn't "rated" as in baseball numbers (stats) speak for themselves and rate a player's performance to a set standard - not a player's performance against each other. Derek Jeter was never and probably will never be rated the #1 baseball player - either in present day or history - or even the #1 SS in the league, etc. So, Derek Jeter was never rated too highly. People don't expect things of Jeter in terms of acquiring a substantial new skill. We know DJ is a good lead off hitter who you can expect a decent woba, obp, ba from, etc. However, he's not one to homer or get a great slugging percentage. The point is that people know what to expect from Jeter, and what he does - he does well. He also does it with style, class and a general presence that apparently resonates with his team, his coaches, his opponents, the media, the fans, and NY fans in particular. Let's be honest. Derek Jeter is far from being among THE best, and I never argued that he was anywhere near it. What I did say is that Derek Jeter is above average in terms of offensive performance. We can sit here all day and argue about what 'consistency' means but let's keep it real: We know what consistency means. We know that Derek Jeter is consistently above average in terms of offensive numbers. Period. His numbers may fluctuate a few points here and there, but the point is that you can count on him to be above average. You can count on him to do his job. Now, I'll admit that Derek Jeter's defensive performance has had its ups and downs - mostly downs. But in order to prove that his defense is overrated, Pro would have had to prove that somewhere along the line Jeter's defense was hailed where praise was not warranted. The ONLY example Pro gave was him winning the Golden Gloves. According to Pro, Jeter won because he made a play in which he got a bloodied nose and the media played it up (when the play wasn't really all that difficult). For what it's worth, I happen to think that it was an excellent play. Regardless, even if it took more effort from Jeter than necessary, the point was that he was willing to take a beating to make the play successfully. More importantly, this play was only made during ONE season - so how can that account for the 2 other G. Gloves? Pro agreed that many times the GG is given not to the best defensive player, but the defensive player who STOOD OUT the most in a particular season. Pro himself said this. So, if we can agree that while Derek Jeter was not the best defensive player - and nobody said he was - the fact is that his play (the one with the bloody nose, and apparently a few others) was THE MOST MEMORABLE PLAY for whatever reason. In fact, I'm sure the bloody nose helped its notorority. However, if the GG is about most famous plays, than Jeter deserved the award, eh? This is logical. Alright so let's talk about the clutch. Again, we can sit here all day and talk about crunching numbers and in the end Pro is probably right about the statistics. However, we can agree that clutch situations exist, and we can agree that psychology plays a part in sports. If we agree that comfort with things comes with experience, then we can agree that Derek Jeter - given the success of the teams he's been on - has been in a lot of clutch situations and games just considering the number of times he's been fortunate enough to play in big games (like say a World Series, which many players don't even get to experinnce let alone win FIVE TIMES and lose some too). The point is, we should be able to agree that Jeter would probably be more comfortable in a tough situation than say a rookie, therefore he is statistically less likely to choke. In other words, the chances of success may be the same for every player but their chances of failure are different depending on a number of variable conditions. So let's see what this debate really comes down to. Is Derek Jeter overrated? I say no. Derek Jeter is not paid the highest salary on the Yankees because he's earned it with his skill (like A-Rod and Sabathia who are better players and earn more). I'd argue that players like Cano and maybe even Brett Gardner are better than DJ right now. However, like it or not, Derek Jeter is not paid (AND PRAISED) so high for his playing but rather for the other things he brings to the team. Pro can say that there is no "tangible evidence" of this IT factor but the fact is that we all know he has it. If he didn't, then he wouldn't have the whole city of New York (Yankee fans anyway) eating out of the palm of his hand. And the thing is - who's to say he doesn't deserve it? Apparently the Yankees and New Yorkers in general love him for what he is and what he allegedly brings to their team. As far as I'm concerned, Pro hasn't proven exactly how and why DJ is overrated. He says that the Yankees would have been just as successful without Jeter, but how can that be so? Without a 'friend' in Jeter or at least one who stood by him in the press, who's to say A-Rod would have adjusted in NY? Some don't think he even fully has. Who's to say young players like Texiera would have even been so interested in the Yankees if not for the fame and prestige of playing in the WS? The thing is, YOU EARN SOMETHING for having been in so many championships. People think "I wanna be where Derek Jeter is." That's why winning is something athletes value and strive for. Consider LeBron James; his ONLY GOAL right now in terms of contract above money and all else is the prestige and ultimate fame (and mhm money will come too) that comes after winning. Jeter has won so many with the Yankees, albeit many by chance of him having the good fortune to stay on the team for so long. However, the title of 'leader' is something he's taken on and apparently earned. He always takes responsibility and steps up. He always performs above average in terms of offense. Sometimes he's among the most offensive elite; for instance he's the 4th best offensive SS in the leage right now. He's apparently doing SOMETHING RIGHT because the Yankees have stayed with him. If he wasn't so valuable, why didn't they give his SS spot to A-Rod? If he wasn't so valuable, why haven't they traded him for a better player by now? The fact is that he brings SOMETHING to that team - whether it's energy, media attention, confidence, some performance or even just money alone. Remember that money is what *literally* drives the sport and keeps it functioning. The Yankees are as successful as they are largely in part due to their fortunate financial circumstance to offer lucrative contracts to the best players. Derek Jeter most definitely contributes in that area regarding his popularity. So yes. Derek's resume alone and respect from everyone around him which I've proven through quotes and citations explains that he has that IT quality that just makes him a star baseball player. Again, nobody says and has ever said he was THE BEST baseball player - just a great player and A STAR. Is he worthy of being a star? I say yes. I say if it were easy, other players would be like him. But he stands out. He's "number 2 in our programs, number 1 in our hearts." We know Jeter is not a bad defensive players in terms of costing us the game, and we know he's as good if not one of the best clutch performers on the Yanks offensively (and consistently). He's worth every penny for what he brings to New York - even if it's just that warm fuzzy feeling inside. Apparently it's worth something to people. And really, that's what baseball (and all sports) are all about. At the end of the day, it really doesn't matter if you can hit a ball very far. Jeter somehow manages to impress everybody. Kudos to him.