Derek Jeter: A Red Sox Fan Gives Reluctant Praise
by Aaron Goldstein (9/14/09)
As a Boston Red Sox fan it is an article of faith to hate the New York Yankees. Red Sox President Larry Lucchino, invoking Ronald Reagan, once referred to the Yankees as the “evil empire.” Having attended Red Sox games at Fenway Park for nearly a decade the chant “Yankees Suck!!!” can be heard even when the Sox are playing the Kansas City Royals.
The one Yankees player Red Sox fans love to hate more than any other is the Yankees captain Derek Jeter. Oh, some Yankees players have been booed more loudly on occasion. Former Red Sox players Johnny Damon and Roger Clemens know the consequences of putting on a Yankees uniform. Alex Rodriguez gets more than his share of scorn especially when it came to light he had tested positive for steroids in 2003 (while a member of the Texas Rangers.) The fact Red Sox slugger David Ortiz also tested positive matters little to the Fenway faithful. Mark Teixeira, who signed an 8-year $180 million contract with the Yankees this off-season and if but for a few million more dollars might have worn a Red Sox uniform, has also been on the receiving end of derisive jeers.
But make no mistake “Jeter Sucks!!!” T-shirts do a brisk business outside Fenway Park notwithstanding all evidence to the contrary. Indeed, it is Jeter’s very success and the relative ease with which he has achieved that success that stirs resentment in Red Sox fans. Consider some of Jeter’s on the field achievements:
- Played in six World Series - four of them winners
- Named World Series MVP in 2000;
- Has won three Gold Gloves for his play at shortstop;
- Has a .317 lifetime batting average;
- Named to the American League All Star Team ten times;
- Won the All-Star Game MVP in 2000;
- Passed Luis Aparicio earlier this season for the most hits by a shortstopAnd on September 11, 2009 (the eighth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks no less) he singled down the right field line (as he often does) off Baltimore Orioles pitcher Chris Tillman for his 2,722nd career hit. At that moment he passed Lou Gehrig to become the Yankees all-time hit leader. When someone passes the Iron Horse it is time to sit up and take notice. Just ask Cal Ripken, Jr.
The fact Jeter has more hits than any other man who has worn a Yankees uniform puts him in the pantheon of Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle and even Babe Ruth. Jeter now has the chance to do something no Yankee has ever done – collect 3,000 hits. At his current pace, Jeter should get his 3,000th hit sometime during the 2011 season. On top of that, Jeter is young enough (he turned 35 in June) and barring any serious injury he has an outside shot at eclipsing Pete Rose’s all-time hit record.
If Derek Jeter were playing for the Orioles and had achieved this he would receive the sort of standing ovation at Fenway that Ripken received at the end of his career. But since Jeter is attaining these achievements while wearing Yankee pinstripes make that scenario about as likely as Hamas recognizing Israel’s right to exist.
Red Sox Nation hates Derek Jeter because everything comes to easily too him whether its diving into the stands or throwing out a runner at home plate on a behind the back flip of the ball, commercial endorsements or beautiful women. Not only do women swoon for him their fathers want him as their future son-in-law including my own. (To my sister’s credit she has better taste in men.) He has never had to suffer for his art.
Simply put Derek Jeter is perfect and the imperfect amongst us resent it to no end. I would be lying if I were to say I hadn’t wished Jeter would test positive for performance enhancing drugs, been arrested for sexual assault or drunk driving, had a gambling problem or even got ejected from a game for arguing ball and strikes. I am sure the editors of The Boston Herald would love put the headline “Derek Cheater” on their cover one of these days.
The closest thing Jeter has had to a blemish was when he ran afoul of the New York Department of Taxation and Finance for not paying three years worth of state taxes in November 2007. For his part, Jeter claimed his principle residence was in Florida and not subject to New York state tax. Whatever the case, the matter was settled quietly a few months later with Jeter’s halo in tact.
Jeter did pout a bit after the Yankees blew a three game to none lead in the 2004 American League Championship Series against the Boston Red Sox. After the Yankees choked, Jeter said the better team didn’t win. Sorry, Derek. The better team always wins and in 2004 the Red Sox were the better team. But when you consider that Jeter had played in six of the eight previous World Series he can perhaps be forgiven for viewing the Fall Classic as an entitlement.
Yet in fairness to Jeter, his play on the field has been exemplary and nearly equally so off the field. So much of the vitriol directed towards Jeter by Red Sox fans is simply irrational. In fact, it is about as rational as the hatred directed towards former President George W. Bush and Sarah Palin by the left-wing intelligentsia.
Although I do so reluctantly, I wish to congratulate Derek Jeter for passing Lou Gehrig to become the Yankees all-time hits leader. It is a significant accomplishment that even Red Sox fans have acknowledge however begrudgingly. He deserves to be enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame on the first ballot he is eligible to appear. But don’t expect me to cheer him the next time I see him come to bat at Fenway.
Aaron Goldstein
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