The Sunday links
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Jul 22, 2007 
Print This Post
| 
Email This Post
The Yankees did what they had to do and swept the Devil Rays yesterday.
Brian Cashman did what he had to do and landed a new backup catcher. This notebook also has talk of another trade.
The Sunday baseball notes focus on the creative approach Mike Pagliarulo now has to baseball, Derek Jeter falling down on the job and the shame Barry Bonds will bring to baseball.
LOL, I can’t believe a fan suggested a trade of Damon and some prospects for Kazmir and Dukes. I don’t think the fan noticed Crawford, Delmon Young, and BJ Upton in outfield and fact that Damon has a huge contract. As for Jeter, I have noticed that great players in any sport don’t engage or speak about sore subjects. Although, I think Woods would be more outspoken against someone who made damaging remarks about someone he cares about.
Pettite needs to go at least 7 innings and we should win this game against James Shields.
“As an African-American . . . it was Jeter’s duty to stand up for his manager and refute Sheffield’s claims.”
Think about what you wrote here, Pete. Not very enlightened.
Jeter doesn’t owe anybody anything on account of his race. It’s fine that you think he should have spoken up because of his captaincy, team loyalty, etc., but to say he has a duty as an African American to become a racial spokesman is itself an example of being “sadly focused on race.”
Barry Bonds brings no shame to M.L.B. whatsoever. He is not on steroids because no one including you, Peter Abraham, and the rest of the hypocritical flock of baseball writers has proven Bonds has taken steroids. Innocent until proven guilty, and if you wanna run that tired “He’s lying when he said he used the cream but didn’t know what it was.” retort, guess what? He really didn’t know what it was and I highly doubt he would be so stupid as to make a statement that he used illegal steroids if he took them. You ask your trainer if stuff is illegal, he tells you no, you believe him and don’t think anything of it, or you stop taking the stuff, Bonds chose to think nothing of it and take the stuff, his mistake. BTW where’s the piece about the shame admitted cheater Jason Giambi has brought to baseball? Ever see Quiz Show when Charles Va Dorn makes a public statement admitting he got the answers to the questions on the quiz show and that was the reason for his winning? Everyone commended him for his coming clean save one/ the last person, a guy who told him he’s a grown man who shouldn’t be commended for simply telling the truth. Everyone applauded that comment and Charles rushed out of the room in shame. Giambi should be rushed out of the room in shame. So what he admitted to taking steroids? It only took him how many years? He’s still a cheat and his pair of homeruns vs. Pedro Martinez in Game 7 of the 2003 A.L.C.S. will be forever tainted because of his admission. Now I’m glad the Yanks didn’t win the 2003 World Series because if they did, there would’ve had to be an asterisk next to it as follows:
*Won with an admitted steroids cheat who might’ve been one in 2003.
I call you hypocrites because this is what you, the press, have done:
Voted Barry Bonds N.L.M.V.P. 4 years in a row (2001, 2002, 2003 & 2004). You didn’t know he was on steroids then?
Never wrote about how Bonds was on steroids in the year he hit a record 73 homeruns.
Counted Bonds’s homeruns. If he’s such a cheat, why do you writers report his Xth homerun? If he’s a cheat, his homeruns (should) mean nothing.
When scores of you report Bonds has hit his record-breaking 756th career homerun, you will have validated his record. Selig thus M.L.B. by Selig’s attendance at the historic game will have validated his record, too. People who denounce cheaters should ignore cheaters’ stats and cheaters.
Why would Jeter be obligated to defend such stupid and disgraceful remarks about Torre – his silence and that of others who know Joe well indicate to me that there is no need to defend him against something that doesn’t exist. In other words, you can’t prove innocence, only guilt, and the guilty party here is Gary Sheffield!
It’s a shame that Barry Bonds doesn’t know how to cheat like Bobby Thomson and his teammates did. Or that Bud Selig and Don Fehr don’t know how to cover PED use the way the NFL and their media stooges do.
“As an African-American . . . it was Jeter’s duty to stand up for his manager and refute Sheffield’s claims.�
Someone needs to look at how they are viewing the world.
Derek Jeter is head and shoulders above all those who would describe him in racial terms.
Shame on you.
Some thoughts about the Yanks acquiring Ty Wigginton –
Where would they put him? Yes, he can play 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and DH. But are you going to put him in the line-up in place of A-Rod? Cano, who’s finally starting to show some sense of the strike zone? Andy Phillips, who’s showing he can contribute? And the DH spot is starting to get a little crowded, with Damon, Duncan, and maybe Giambi in a few weeks. Is there any evidence that he can still be an hit if he’s not playing regularly? Can he bunt, or steal a base like Cairo?
I agree, Wigginton has proven to be a good ML player. But does he fit into our recipe here? It would be a shame all the way around to trade someone for him, even ole Sparky Proctor, and find out that he doesn’t fit. I would think that this is one of the issues that Cash is considering in the “glacial” pace of things.
Jeter should have spoken up, NOT because he is African-American.
As much as I admire Jeter as a player, I do not beleive he lives upto his status as team captain. Even without making reference to Sheffield and/or race, he could have said something to the effect that Joe is an honorable man and he treats every one equally and his objectivity is always to do what is best for the team. Is it too much to ask of the captain? I am not surprized with Jeter not responding, given how he shrunk from his responsibility as captain in handling A-Rod situation last year.
A guy like Gordon, who has not been with the team, showed simething that Jeter lacks. And he is the Captian!
The stars are really aligning around Bonds and A-Rod.
It is likely A-Rod will hit is 500 HR and Bonds ties or breaks Aron’s record on the same day.
If that happends, imagine the media frenzy that day. Also, interesting to see who gets the most attention.
I dont want Wigginton. What is everyone’s obsession with improving our bench? We just brought up Duncan, we got Molina, Cairo is as solid as we could ask for. Phillips is coming around. Plus, you think Tampa is going to trade away their most respected player for a reliever that sucked against them in the past couple days? Wiggy is a starting player, not a bench player. He could very well hit 30hr and have about 100rbi this year. And we’re going to sit him?
Keep Phillips. Let him develop himself even more. He’s doing SO well thus far. Let’s ride the wave of our young success. I’ve fallen in love with Melky, Cano, Wang, Phillips, and now Duncan. I wouldn’t trade em for anyone who isn’t HUGE>
Addition: Our real needs are BULLPEN and starting pitching!
Myrtlebeach –
With Hughes and Karsten about 1-2 rehab starts away, the starting rotation will get an upgrade. More consistently good relievers would help wonders. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a move in this area (I wonder about a 2nd look at Dotel, now that his arm is healthier than last year), though with so many teams looking for the same thing, it might get pricy.
All I can say is wow. Peter, you should be ashamed of yourself for your remarks about Derek Jeter. I’m ashamed to have read them. I hope in the future, Derek, or any other Yankee for that matter, doesn’t give you the time of day.
It’s his duty “as an African-American” to defend Joe Torre publicly? Be careful, Peter…one can look at that and wonder if you’re playing the same stupid “race card” as Sheffield is trying to play in order to get page hits.
Not to mention that once again your arrogance can’t hide your ignorance. You often come across as thinking you’re some kind of insider in Yankee land, which you’re not. You have no idea if Derek has said something to Sheffield, if Joe asked Derek not to comment and stir things up, etc. The bottom line is that you’re nothing but a beat writer, and you have no more clue what goes on behind closed doors in that clubhouse than the rest of us. Yet the past few months, you’re becoming more and more like Lupica.
What a disgrace.
Lets go Pettitte!
Adding a catcher? Why do they need that at all. Cashman needs to add some arms for the rotation or the pen. In reply to E-Roc’s comment, trading Damon for Kazmir or whoever on the D-Rays is pretty funny. D-Rays have no need whatsoever for Damon hah.
Beegcellent Baseball
Our roster will be getting very crowded very soon. Giambi and Douggie are coming back. Do we even want them back? We won’t be as flexible. I shutter to think that Torre would put Damon back in the outfield and Melky back to the bench. I’m not big Giambi fan. I never was. Is Giambi a pinch hitter? Or will he be starting at DH? There will be a lot of questions that will need answers next month.
Adding a catcher? Why do they need that at all. Cashman needs to add some arms for the rotation or the pen. In reply to E-Roc’s comment, trading Damon for Kazmir or whoever on the D-Rays is pretty funny. D-Rays have no need whatsoever for Damon hah.
http://www.beegcellent.com
To whomever –
While I don’t necessarily agree with the sentiment that Jeter should out-loud defend Joe Torre from wild charges (Jeter has said that he doesn’t speak up more because he figures that the one time you don’t say something about an issue, people will then think that it must be true because you aren’t denying it), to be hypercritical of Peter because he’s voicing his opinion is wrong, also.
Heck, Bob Gibson, reportedly one of Torre’ closest and oldest friends, has declined to get in the middle of this. Does that mean that Bob Gibson is shirking his duty, also? More likely, I think, is that the people who know better don’t take Sheffield’s rants as anything more than what they are – nonsense that only writers desperate for a story care about.
Adding a catcher? Why do they need that at all. Cashman needs to add some arms for the rotation or the pen. In reply to E-Roc’s comment, trading Damon for Kazmir or whoever on the D-Rays is pretty funny. D-Rays have no need whatsoever for Damon hah.
BeegcellentBaseball
I have the same concern that E-ROC expressed.
Before Giambi went on DL, the team was slumbering.
Since he went on DL, Melky infused energy in the lineup and we recovered lot of ground towards playoff contetion.
Is hisotry going to repeat like in last year playoffs that Joe decides to bench these young guys and the one-dimensional veterans like Giami stink up the joint?
Has Joe learnt any thing from last year’s debacle in the playoffs?
I dont get the big deal about what Peter said. Jeter is the captain of this team, and should have said something to defend the manager he loves so much. You may say it was noble of him not to acknowledge Sheff’s idiocy, but the fact is that in today’s over reported world, silence unfortunately indicates that there is a problem. Furthermore, Peter was right in pointing out the fact that Jeter being a black athlete is vital to this story. Jeter’s was specifically mentioned by Sheff as being “not black” and again, seemed to accede to those claims by not responding. Jeter being black has every bit to do with this story and is a major reason that he should have defended Joe. Look around, the only players who really commented were black. What makes Jeter any better, are Gordon and Strawberry “playing the race card to get publicity” as some of you have accused Peter of? I found their statements to be noble and think that they helped diffuse the situation by showing the complaints were limited to idiotic malcontents likes Sheff and Lofton. Meanwhile, Jeter was silent, sitting this one out when the integrity and image of the man he views as a father were assailed. To rip Peter for pointing out Jeter is black, which would have given his words in this case particularly strong weight, is patently ridiculous.
BBFan – I understand what you’re saying. However, don’t forget that last years debacle was also contributed to by nobody in the lineup hitting, and throwing out there Randy Johnson with a herniated disk in Game 3, and Jaret Wright (enough said) in the elimination Game 4. Detroit countered with Justin Verlander, Kenny Rogers (I still can’t believe what he did) and the likes of Joel Zumaya.
“Some Yankees officials have been puzzled by Torre’s reluctance to use RamÃrez, who had impressive strikeout numbers in the minors and struck out the side in his debut July 3. The thinking is that RamÃrez could have been an answer for the Yankees’ inconsistent bullpen, but Torre never found out.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07.....ref=slogin
Donna:
You have no idea whatsoever who I spoke with before I wrote that. Can we agree on that? And if I don’t know more about the team than you, I wouldn’t have my job.
No one person on the face of the earth had a better perspective on this situation than Derek Jeter. As the team captain, as the longest tenured player on the team and as an African-American, who better to comment on this issue?
Yet he said nothing. The Yankees and Joe Torre have done a lot for Jeter and I think he owed them more than “no comment.” I’m not saying Jeter is a bad guy. I just think he should have stood up and said what he thinks of Torre.
There comes a time when certain charges are so vile they should be refuted. Darryl Strawberry, a former drug addict of questionable character, stood up and defended Joe. Where was the team captain?
As for the racial issues, so it’s fine to ask Derek to comment on Jackie Robinson but not on a situation like this? Sorry, it doesn’t work that way.
Sorry, folks, if you don’t like what I wrote. But I’m going to write what I believe whether it’s popular or not. My job is not to write only what’s popular.
Joe:
The Jeter item was the second item in a Sunday notebook. Not exactlty “:desperate” for a story.
IMO Jeter should have spoken out, the fact he hasn’t (yet) could indicate Jeter had spoken to Torre and perhaps Torre wanted the whole thing to blow over- so he may have asked Jeter to refrain.
Interesting too that Bob Gibson hasn’t spoken out either. Again it might be a request from Joe or baseball insiders know that Sheffield is an idiot that routinely speaks before he thinks. So why stoop to his level?
Co
And I love how peple want to ignore racial issues, and say things like “Derek Jeter is above racial terms.” That is so naive. In an ideal world, this would be true, and Derek would not have to be a “racial spokesman.” But the reality of the situation is, people in publicly visible positions are automatically viewed in racial terms, wether they like it or not. In this case, Jeter’s name was mentioned specifically, highlighting the fact that this is a racial issue and he is involved. We do not live in a utopia, and the world we live in remains racially charged. People ae judged on their race all the time, and Jeter’s voice would have held more weight in this case because of his black heritage. I am jewish, and i expect people like Mayor Bloomberg and Joe Lieberman, to be “spokesmen” for the Jewish people, because the public views them as Jews and judges them with that categorization in mind. It may not be ideal, but I am not so naive as to think that we have acheived a raceless society. MLK was not above race, Bloomberg is not above race, Barry Bonds is not above race, what exactly makes Derek Jeter so special that he is above race?
Just wondering for any personal injury attorneys out there to comment on.
Does Sheffield’s comments grounds enough for filing a lawsuit by Torre?
That is a great way for Sheffield to shut the hell up and back up his words. He has accused a man in public, very disparaging remarks that can effect his livelihood.
Any basis here?
Jeter’s one flaw is his inability to put his ass in the hot seat when it comes to his stance on controversial issues off the field. He’s the Captain, his duty is to do what is best for the team on AND off the field. I’m not saying he’s not doing his job, but there’s always something more you can do.
As for the Wigginton trade, yes, our weakness IS our bullpen. The problem is, our bullpen is clogged up with a bunch of underperforming pitchers (Farnz, Bruney, Proctor). Wigginton is a huge upgrade over Cairo and a safety net in case we lose A-Rod. More importantly, it ships out Proctor while his value is still high and opens up a spot to bring in someone who will do a better job. Possibly a Chris Britton.
Im not a lawyer but i am soon to be a law student and took some pre law classes. From my recollection, Torre may have a case for slander, but it would be tough to prove, in that Sheff can claim it was just an opinion, not a “statement of fact” (one of the requirements in a defamation suit). Opinions are defended by the 1st amendment.
Its part of a troubling pattern with the Jeter captaincy.
Last year, when EVERYBODY turned on Arod, Jeter was silent. He wasn’t silent in defending Jason Giambi or Chuck Knoblauch but, was silent on Arod. That was a bad move because it wasn’t in the best interests of the entire team. The way Arod was treated by the fans last year was disgusting. I find it ironic now that they are chanting, “MVP” at his AB’s. Next, they will be begging him to stay. More irony. Someone should ask Jeter where “his” team would be without Arod. For Jeter’s sake, he should hope he doesn’t have to find out to that next year.
That was a baseball issue. The Sheffield issue was deeper. He questioned a man’s racial views with nearly 50 years in the game. A man, no matter what some of you may think of him as a strategist, has been nothing but class for the Yankees and baseball. Oh, by the way, he has 4 rings.
Jeter CANT say nothing. I don’t care how much it may make him uncomfortable to not give stock answers, you can’t say NOTHING when somebody calls the man you say you are close to a racist.
If he just wants to be part of the team but, not the leader of the team, fine, make Jorge the captain. Then, nobody will question Jeter about anything but, “what pitch did you hit for the game winning hit”. When you are captain of the New York Yankees, you have additional responsibilities. That goes with the gig.
Jeter is a great player. Not question about that. However, as a captain, I haven’t been impressed.
This is the second time in two years, as captain of this team, he needed to be the voice of reason. He chose to decline both times.
Its disappointing and there is no reason why those who may disagree with this stance should become so indignant about it. Dissenting views aren’t the end of the world.
Am I the only one who is averse to the Proctor-Wiggington trade? I can’t think why the Yankees would want to cede a bullpen arm, no matter how erratic unless they plan to acquire an adequate substitute or to promote Chamberlain to fill the role.
Mo, I read your post with interest. In response, I would only offer the conventional wisdom of race scholars and activists who often observe that lionized black athletes like Michael Jordan and OJ Simpson– thus the irony of him playing the race card in his trial– and perhaps, Jeter, don’t suffer the conventional indignities most Afro-Americans have to suffer. (Racial profiles, Driving-While-Black arrests, back-handed compliments about how “articulate” they are, etc.)
Their celebrity status shields them from racial animus and immunizes them discrimination. Thus, OJ’s comment, “I’m not black; I’m OJ”
It’s certainly a contemporary phenomenon. Obviously, Jackie Robinson’s athletic prowess didn’t protect him from race-hatred.
There might be something to it. I’m not black so I have no way of knowing but because black leaders attest to it, I give it some credence.
I do not find what Peter wrote is out of the ordinary.
Let us recognize the reality that Jeter is not living up to his status as Captain. He never did, he never will. He should have spoken up to defend Joe and the Team (accusation was also that Yankees as a team practice racism). He can not have it both ways and the Jackie Robinson example is a good one. Though not related to race, his handliing of A-Rod situation speaks volumes of his personality – you draw your conclusions. Now, do not jump and say he has no obligation to defend A-Rod. Then why did he defend the alleged steroid user Giami. When you look deep in to these examples, Jeter comes across like a phony.
Given the nature of the accusations, a non-African-American rebutting the accusations will not carry much weight. Jeter was in a perfect position as the Captain to speak up and he did not and there is nothing wrong in calling that.
I think Jeter hasn’t said anything because he either spoke with Torre and Torre wanted it to blow-over or just didn’t want to comment on the issue at all. IMO, I think Torre told him not to say anything. Otherwise, Jeter would have responded and gave Sheffield the cold shoulder. This is different from A-Rod or Giambi drama. I would think Sheffield’s comments about Torre would have touched a nerve with Jeter. Either way, just let it go. Pete has his opinion and everyone have their opinions. I can respect that.
As for Ty Wigginton, I like the trade. But the caveat with that is Douggie and Giambi coming back. I think Douggie is useless if we get Ty. I don’t think Giambi’s comeback will have any baring on Ty.
Torre would have a difficult case to make to sue Sheffield for slander because Torre’s a public figure and the First Amendment confines slander/libel suits against public figures to a very narrow set of circumstances defense.
To overcome the limitiation, Torre would have to prove that Sheffield made the comments with “actual malice”– “the KNOWLEDGE that they were false”.
Wholly independent of this inquiry, Sheffield also could defend himself by saying he was only offering his own subjective opinion. This alone might shield him from a lawsuit. (That is, hyperbole or statements no reasonable person would believe: ie., everything that comes out of Sheffield’s mouth)
In sum, Torre would less of a chance of the sustaining a case against Sheff than, if you read Filip Bondy today, the Yankees have of making the playoffs.
A couple of posters brought up Bob Gibson’s name and said that he is a close friend of Joe and he did not say any thing.
It is not fair to Gibson. He was not in that club house when the alleged things took place and any thing he would say about that will not carry any weight. Strawberry and Gordon were there and they spoke up. Except our beloved Captain.
This is my last note on the subject.
Let us move on to better things.
How about winning today in a romp!!!!
Schill- thank you for the comments.
BTW, I doubt Torre would stoop to the level of Sheffield, so I would be shocked if he did bring a lawsuit.
I agree with SJ, you can question Torre as a manager, in fact I do quite often, I’ve wanted him dismissed since 2004.
There is no indication however that Torre is nothing but class as a man however, and Sheffield crossed the line by throwing out his opinion on a guy who has earned none of his accusations.
You know Pete, I really disagree with what you said about Jeter. It’s no one’s place to be telling him what he should and shouldn’t do; he’s a free man, not a child. Furthermore I’m not sure how you consider him AA when he’s mulatto — you could just as easily consider him white. Why do you consider him AA, is it because his skin is tan? Isn’t that racist?
Perhaps the best way to get past the race issue IS to treat it as a non-issue, which is what my younger generation friends seem to be doing.
BBFan – I agree with you completely. We have spent too much time on this. Let’s move on.
As for Jeter, well, my feeling about him have always been contradictory, if not ambivalent.
I admire the guy’s work ethic, his steely constitution, his aplomb, his grace under pressure– I even envy it. (If I was as cool and as immune to stress and anxiety, I’d be a much better lawyer and heck of lot more prolific writer.)
From his 60 Minutes interview with Ed Bradley a couple of year ago, it’s clear Jeter endured a tremendous amount of racial abuse because of his parent’s racial heritage. On the one hand, it steeled and fortified him and probably, in the end, made him the superlative baseball he currently is.
On the other, I suspect, it exacted a price too. Jeter’s hardly the most magnanimous guy in the world (thus the grudge he bear A-ROD). And Jeter often comports himself with stunning aloofness and even condescension. Witness how he treats Kim Jones in clubhouse interviews following games. Jones’ comments, I concede, are often trivial and sophomoric but Jeter doesn’t need to patronize her the way he does. Jeter clearly bespeaks something of DiMaggio’s classic Olympian remoteness, but that’s who he is. Like all of us, his character has its strengths and its infirmities.
Last year, I wanted him to defend A-Rod the way he did Giambi and Knoblaugh, but he disappointed me. I’d have admired him more if he had defended Torre but Torre can defend himself, and I can understand Jeter’s wariness to embroil himself in a race controversy with someone as reckless as Sheffield.
Still, in the end, I judge Jeter, first and foremost, by his performance on the field. I’ll never love him the way I love Bernie, as a consequence, but as long as Jeter produces and influences players in the clubhouse, I deem him worthy of the captains’ mantle.
Exactly, SJ. Well spoken.
My beleif is that A-Rod will re-up with the Yankess and he will outlast Jeter as a Yankee.
On another note, Jeter has to be thankful to A-Rod for his current contract. If you recall, at that time there was a verbal agreement for $117 mil for 8 years (or 7 years) and Big Stein did not sign it pending Gonzalez 140 mil contract with Detroit. Gonzalez contract fizzled out and then A-Rod signed his histroic contract. Because of that Jeter was able to renotiate and get current contract. Folks, before you jump at me, I am not sayaing Jeter does not deserve it. He got more money because of A-Rod’s contract.
He’s not outlasting Jeter as a Yankee. Maybe outlasting Jeter as a shortstop… we all know Jeter isn’t going to finish his career as a shortstop. But Jeter will never play for another team. Management would never allow it to happen.
Re: Jeter and Joe and Racism
1. If there is a freedom of speech so precious that it was worth fighting and dying for in several wars, there must also be a freedom from speech just as jealously guarded. When someone keeps their mouth shut, sometimes it is an act worthy of great respect.
2. Suggesting that Torre has done a lot for Jeter and that Jeter owed him something specific, e.g., rebuttal of Sheffield’s remarks is unfair, mixing their professional and the personal obligations. Professionally, Jeter owes Joe Torre 100% on the field and in the clubhouse. On the personal level, only those two men can evaluate their discharge of their obligations to one another.
3. Absent an explanation from Jeter as to his silence, the doctrine of “fair comment” governs. Given Jeter’s and Torre’s “public figure” status, journalists can ask fair questions and make fair statements about things fairly raised on the public record, like Sheffield’s comments and the reaction – or lack thereof.
4. This was a moving target. Sheffield first crossed over and then jumped back from the “Joe is a Racist” line, daring someone to rise to the bait. If Jeter had taken on Sheff, Sheff only had to say, “Read my words. I never said Joe was a racist, in fact I told ESPN the opposite. I just said that he treated several people differently and they all happened to be people of color. Derek and I are friends. I don’t understand him attacking me in public without speaking to me privately first to clarify what I said.” Obviously, one of the dilemmas for Jeter could be that you cannot really defend someone against charges of racism when those charges have not been formally made and stood by. Thus, Jeter’s failure to be a character witness in the court of racial discrimination may be due as much to the fact that the charge was never actually filed as anything else.
Peter, it’s funny…I compared you to Lupica, but you’re actually a lot like Michael Kay — getting very touchy when someone dares to contradict you or say something even the slightest bit negative about you or what you say/write in your futile effort to proclaim, “LOOK AT ME! IMPARTIAL NEW YORK MEDIA PERSON IS IN THE HOUSE!”
I’m curious, Peter. Sheffield mouthed off a few months about Latinos in baseball. Where was your outrage at Albert Pujols not speaking up to defend Latinos? When Sheffield shot off his mouth about how he was the real leader of the team, where was your outrage that Bernie or Posada or Mo didn’t defend him? Where’ your outrage been at every other stupid thing Sheff has said over the years?
There’s a large, vocal contingent of “Yankee fans” that didn’t even know where New York was until 2004. Though it’s obvious you dislike A-Rod, you’ve obviously begun to cater to that crowd of “fans” this year, as have most baseball writers. And you seem to think that the way to do that is to disparage Derek Jeter. The guy has been nothing but a role model for the game, and I think that it’s really sad that he’s getting this kind of treatment from the media in order to further their own agenda.
Frankly, if I were Derek Jeter, I’d gather up Joe Torre, Gary Sheffield and A-Rod, grab a copy of the Q&A he was nice enough to do for you, and show you exactly where you can put it.
Pete:
You know I’m a big fan of yours but you’re way off base with regards to Jeter’s lack of comment on the Sheffield accusations.
I know it would have been entertaining fodder for the sports pages to have a back and forth between Jeter and Sheffield and others, but I give the Captain credit for refraining comment. The Yankees need to focus on baseball, not on the comments from a disgruntled ex member of the team.
That’s a show of maturity and restraint on Jeter’s part.
I agree that as a black man AND a friend to Joe Torre, Jetes should have spoken up. The problem is, we don’t know whether or not Torre asked Jeter not to get involved or whether Jeter concluded it made more sense to follow Torre’s lead and keep his thoughts to himself. Like many, he and Torre may believe it’s best not to feed trolls. In the rap world, Jay-Z has chosen the same route if only because every other two-bit rap artist sees attacking him as a route to creting a beef that will stir up record sales. And on that note, wasn’t this interview tied to a book?
p.s. When interviewed and asked specifically if he thought Torre was a racist, he point blank said no. Which, of course, completely flies in the face of his statement that Torre treats black players differently, but oh well.
Re: Bob Gibson speaking up re Torre, Murray Chass published comments by Gibson within the past week in his NY Times column. It sounded like Chass placed a phone call to Gibson who’s normally reluctant to speak to the press. Gibson said he wouldn’t have been Torre’s friend for 25 years if he thought he were a racist. I believe Gibson also said he doesn’t know Sheffield. I don’t know if you consider this a “public response” but it was a response printed in a national newspaper.
Duncan showed something there.
He does seem to have plate discipline.
If he can maintain that he will be successful in the Majors. He will strikeout a lot with his long swing but he will have good OBP and will pop some out of the park.
I thnk that the sports world, the baseball world and anybody with common sense KNOWS that Sheffield’s claims were ridiculous – so why even justify them with a response. I’m on Jeter’s side here.
And about the “God Bless America”… what percentage of fans go to as many home games as you, the beat writer? 1%? 2%? For some fans like myself who make a handful of games per season, the line by Sheppard and the song are perfectly fine tributes. If you are forced to stand and hear any song 81 times in a 6-month span, of course you’d be agitated a little – so I won’t be too hard on you.
Love the site, keep up the hard work.
I wish more people would take to heart murphydog’s comments above (12:40). I think he hit the nail on the head.
Peter -
Apparently you have a different idea of the role of the Yankee Captain than either your bloggers or Derek Jeter does.