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I just wanted to link to this post on MLB.com because I have yet to find an article about New York Hero/Nobel Prize Winner/Poet Lauriate/Baron Von Clutchtenstein Derek Jeter that doesnt contain the words "Yankee Captain."
First off, I think Derek Jeter is THE most overrated player in MLB history. His stat lines are mediocre, his fielding is way below average, and he isnt even the best shortstop on his team. However, his ability to stay with one high market team is only outdone by the calmness of his eyes and his uncanny ability to find missing children that have been abducted in the last five years.
Secondly, being a captain in baseball isnt saying much, so why use it like its part of his first name? There are only two in the whole freaking league, mainly because you dont need them, and the only other one is Jason "My Last Name is Publically Traded" Varitek. Hmm, interesting trend. Big market teams need captains because most of them are filled with free agents from other small market teams, so they promote the one guy who came up through their farm system to be the "captain." His duties? Well, glad you asked! For Jeter, he needs to be on call any time someone needs a clutch person. Need a best man for your wedding party, day of? Jeter is there. Need a doctor to deliver your baby in a taxi on the way to the hospital? Jeter is there. Need someone to make an overly dramatic throw to first base because his range is so small that he cant properly get into position? Jeter is there. Need someone to hit 50 home runs, OPS a billion, and drive in 150, all with a VORP in the stratosphere? Well, thats another "non-clutch" person on the team.
I love fighting with Jeter fans because they are the people that cite his WS wins, gold gloves and all star appearances like they are stats that actually matter to normal people. They may matter to dumbass HOF voters, but not to people that actually use stats that matter when determining a player's worth. Its like using Wins to determine whether or not a pitcher should be in the hall of fame. "Wait, Bert Blyleven has over 4,000Ks but less than 300 wins? He's out."
Listen, I know he is a first ballot HOFer, and his autos are worth a ton, but I think its a travesty. If Jeter played for Pittsburgh, we would be having a conversation about someone with the star power of Omar Vizquel instead of him. I know there are a lot of people who agree with me, but there arent many sportswriters who acknowledge that fact, right FJM? Regardless, Jeter will still get the most votes for the All Star game because the normal fan is dumber than Paris Hilton after a lobotomy, but that doesnt mean you have to agree. I dont - but I do need someone to jump my car using only mind power, can someone call Jeter?
