Derek Jeter to play another position for the Yankees?
by Matt Buggenhagen on Jul 5, 2009 5:03 PM EDT
17 comments
Its long been speculated that at some point in his career, Yankee captin Derek Jeter may have to make the transformation to another position, much the same way Cal Ripken did some time ago.
When and if in fact this will ever happen, who knows, but Jeter doesn't seem to want to think about the idea.
Recently Jeter sat down for a one-on-one interview with the NY Posts Steve Serby to talk about that subject, among others.
It's sort of an interesting interview that covers everything from playing another position, to what it means to be a Yankee, to LeBron James. Jeter has always been a fascinating player, he's one of the most popular players in the game, but still seems to be relatively unknown. Contrary to his teammate Alex Rodriguez, Jeter has managed to steer away from the public eye and maintain his crystal clear image.
On the day Derek Jeter was named the top vote getter for the American League all-star team(4,851,899 votes) I figured we would take a deeper look into the life of Derek Jeter.
Here are a few tidbits of some of the material included.
Q: Can you envision yourself playing another position for the Yankees than shortstop?
A: Can I envision? No.
Q: What if they asked you?
A: You're speaking in all hypotheticals.
Q: I know.
A: I can't answer that question.
Q: Anyway, I was listening to radio, and they were talking about maybe . . .
A: I don't listen to the radio, so . . . wherever you're going with that question, I don't even want to hear it.
Q: But your last day as a Yankee, whenever that will be, you want to be at shortstop.
A: You asked me, "Can I envision myself playing another position?' My answer to that question is no, I can't envision it," so . . .
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Derek Jeter historically is not a good fielder at shortstop, like, at all.
He should have moved for A-Rod when he came.
"I dunno. I never smoked any Astroturf"
-Tug McGraw
Jeter sucks. What a stuck up bitch. Move to LF and shut up.
What you fail to understand in your joyless myopia is that baseball is the key to life-- the Rosetta Stone, if you will. If you just understood baseball better all your other questions your, your... the, uh... the aliens, the conspiracies they would all, in their way be answered by the baseball gods.
6 world series appearances and 4 world series titles, a first ballot HOF, and the captain of the NYY, how again does that suck?
by Matt Buggenhagen on Jul 5, 2009 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Mostly agree
But “guy just wins” does not = best players EVARR
"I dunno. I never smoked any Astroturf"
-Tug McGraw
Jeter is just the guy if you had kids you wish they play the game like him. In the era of pre-madonnas, celebrity athletes, and steroids it’s uplifting to see a player like Jeter. I’m not saying he’s the greatest player to ever play the game, because he’s not, but he’s a great example and spokesman for MLB. He plays with passion, intensity and heart, not to mention he has a “bit” of ability. I know most people love to find a way to bring him down, whether it be statistical based or whatever, but all I know is there are very GM’s who wouldn’t take a Derek Jeter in the blink of an eye. He carries himself like someone who is extremely grateful for the position he is in, and personally I find it refreshing.
by Matt Buggenhagen on Jul 5, 2009 9:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Pre-madonna?
He just basically said he wouldn’t play another position. He really should have moved when A-rod came cause A-rod was the better shortstop both offensively and defensively. One could argue a “true leader” would have switched for the benefit of the team seeing as he is, statistically speaking, a terrible shortstop defensively.
I’m not gonna pretend I like Jeter cause I don’t. He is one of the most overrated players of our time, not to say he isn’t a first ballot hall of famer, but a lot of his myth comes from the position he was in. He always had a team filled with talent that allowed him to play in the big spot, and people always remember the times he came through and forget the times he didn’t (2001 World Series anyone?)
One of the things I always hated about Jeter, and really all players who do it, is the way he refuses to ruffle any feathers. He always tries to say the right thing instead of speaking his mind. To me that’s disingenuous.
"We must win and we must know how to win rather than win because we have statistical people."
One of the things I always hated about Jeter, and really all players who do it, is the way he refuses to ruffle any feathers. He always tries to say the right thing instead of speaking his mind.
But then when John Franco tries to ruffle some feathers, all everybody wants to do is tell him to shut up, he doesn’t know anything, how dare he question David Wrigth blah blah blah…
by Matt Buggenhagen on Jul 6, 2009 7:16 AM EDT up reply actions
Is franco on the team?
Didn’t think so. He’s not a player anymore.
And I’m not talking about throwing people under the bus, but guys like jeter and wright who always try to give the perfect answer. To me it just doesn’t seem natural, everyone has things on their mind they want to complain about now and then and unless it’s truly detrimental to the clubhouse (i.e. creates opposing faction on the same team), say what you want to say.
"We must win and we must know how to win rather than win because we have statistical people."
At the end of the day
It’s all about marketability, the less you say, the more neutral you remain, the more you appeal to advertisers. We can argue all day about it, but in the end like anything it comes down to $.
by Matt Buggenhagen on Jul 6, 2009 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions
At the end of the day
It’s all about marketability, the less you say, the more neutral you remain, the more you appeal to advertisers. We can argue all day about it, but in the end like anything it comes down to $.
by Matt Buggenhagen on Jul 6, 2009 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Derek Jeter and Michael Jordan share a reptilian quality
As great they are/were, there’s millions of people out there that hate their guts and rightfully so. They basque in the attention, the incessant praise and deference paid them, make out filthy rich and give so little back in return. They offer nary a social/political stance, a unique view or an interesting thought or opinion, as they market overpriced sneakers and apparel to the masses. For this gracious act, we’re supposed to look at them as great ambassadors of their respective sports; genuflect to an altar of the platitudes written about them in conversation; and accept them as role models, too. If I want my children to be dumb, selfish and colorless, I’ll point them in the direction of numbers ‘2’ and ‘23’, heroes of the beady-eyed masses.
by All Shook Down on Jul 7, 2009 12:40 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
FYI
It’s “prima donna”. “Pre-Madonna” would be Cynthia Rodriguez.
by Eric Simon on Jul 5, 2009 11:20 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Thank god i wasnt the only one thinking this....
What you fail to understand in your joyless myopia is that baseball is the key to life-- the Rosetta Stone, if you will. If you just understood baseball better all your other questions your, your... the, uh... the aliens, the conspiracies they would all, in their way be answered by the baseball gods.
Jeter thought should look for a different posistion. If he wants to play the game longer, he would be better suited playing at 2nd or an outfield posistion.
Jeter could also take on a utility role such as OF/1B/3B/SS
backup like Miguel Cairo, but one where he nearly played everyday!
"Where's the beef?"
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