DEREK JETER NOT WASHED UP, WHO NEW…
Jeter's not done yet...
I’ve been quietly waiting for all the sports writers and ESPN analysts to issue their apologies and admit they were wrong about his decline, both in the field and at the plate, but the so called experts appear to be a little slow on the uptake. As of August 25th he was hitting .353, with a .405 on base percentage, and a .468 slugging percentage since coming off the DL on July 4th. Jeter used his time on the DL to work with instructor Gary Denbo down in Tampa. As Jeter’s first pro manager back in 1993, Denbo has nearly 20 years of experience working with Jeter, and he knows the 12-time All-Star’s swing as well, if not better, than anyone in the Yankees organization. Before going on the disabled list, Jeter was hitting .260, with a .324 on-base percentage and a .324 slugging percentage. He had only 12 extra-base hits and 23 RBIs through 62 games. Denbo and Jeter worked on staying back on the ball as a potential solution to his struggles. “You do a lot of tee work, break things down. It’s more of a feel thing,” Jeter said. “Most guys struggle, regardless of who it is, because you’re not staying back. It sounds easy: ‘Why don’t you just stay back?’ It’s not that easy. You try, but you don’t.” Derek was hitting .260, with a .324 on base and slugging percentage. With his current hot streak he has raised his average to .296. Not bad for a guy everyone had washed up.
Jeter has also been as steady as ever in the field. He has only 8 errors in 345 chances. We saw what the Yankees options were when he was on the DL and you see why Derek is still a top shortstop. Last year he was even better as he only made 6 errors all year. SIX!!! That is incredible, 6 errors in 553 chances!!! I’ll take that every time. Again we had to hear about this mythical range factor. I don’t need some made up number to tell me who is playing a good shortstop and who isn’t. Those numbers are for those that don’t have the baseball acumen to assess talent!!!
So to the Bob Ryan’s of the world, and all the other sports writers I will patiently wait for your articles to admit you were wrong, but I won’t hold my breath. This is a heck of a way for the greatest shortstop since Honus Wagner to be treated, and if you don’t believe me look up the stats or search my site for prior articles on him. He was even attacked by his hometown media. He is the example we should hold up on how to carry yourself both on and off the field, and the media can’t wait to tear him down. It will be a long time before we see another player like him come along, so we should appreciate his talents as he nears the end of his career, and not be so quick to write him off, hasn’t he at least earned that!!! But what do I know…
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