Jeter: Everyone loves A-Rod
Posted by: Sam Borden - Posted in Misc on Feb 04, 2009 
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Greetings from Madison Square Garden, where I’m on hand in my other role (you know, besides pinch-blogger for Pete) to write a column about LeBron James. I’ll be sure to ask him what he thinks of Joe Torre’s book.
Derek Jeter, who is now teammates with LeBron’s buddy CC Sabathia (another brilliant segue!!!), was in Tampa today working out and stopped afterward to talk to reporters. According to the AP, he reiterated that the Yankees are behind Alex Rodriguez and offered his own version of the “no one called him A-Fraud in a mean way, it was only a joke” storyline which has suddenly become so popular.
The Captain also said something I’d imagine most of you could relate to, especially after a long winter of waiting for baseball again: “I’ll tell you what,” Jeter said, “I’m probably as excited about this season as any season in a long time.
Jeter is the ultimate teammate… it’ll be interesting to hear his comments when his contract is up. Wonder if the Yankees will resign him. Tho, probably not as SS. Wonder if he’ll accept a move to another position.
I hope Jeter was working out in center field. We need a CF and we need Jeter to get away from SS. Can I get an amen!?
Let’s not bring up the whole Jeter sign him/ not sign him/ move him to the OF – debate.
It’s 2 years away! He’s a SS until futher notice.
But he doesn’t have Arod’s back….WAAAAAHHHHH!
Sweet magical underpants the season cannot begin soon enough.
GIVE IT UP!!! Jeter’s not moving anywhere, anytime soon! There is no better prospect right now for that position and he’s not anywhere near as bad defensively as some would like to make out that he is. He’s still one of the top SS in the game. No, not the best, but we don’t have anyone available who is better!
Go Yankees!!!
I thought Pete said Torre’s book would be a one day story.
I’m glad Jeter’s excited about the new season. I think the Yankees have the horses AND the desire (hunger, passion, desperation, whatever you want to call it) this time around.
I think once you realize a guy is going to be with your team for the long haul (that would be ARod), you make your peace with his indiosyncracies.
move jeter to cf sign orlando cabrera as ss… any takers?
Wait you guys want to move Jeter, who many blame at having a short range, from SS to CF, where you need to have more range and cover more ground?
Doreen
I got the same feeling from what Jeter said. It made me think that he was excited because of the additions to the team.
I think these guys are going to look a lot younger this year. And I don’t mean our team is younger, I mean the vets will feel younger.
Guys like Damon, Jeter, Posada, and Pettitte will have a renewed youthful energetic spirit this season, IMO.
I am very excited about this season. This is a new chapter in the great Yankee history.
I’m glad Jeter can be a part of two great Yankee teams. Maybe dynasty’s…
Jeter at 1b?
Teixeira?
From what I’ve read about Cabrera he’s not a good clubhouse guy. Sounded like he has a big ego. I think he had that problem in Boston and Chicago.
Oh yeah…
whoops
Cabrera can field, hit and teams he plays for tend to win
Can the new season start already? I can’t wait!
Tonight for LeBron…I say 25 points and horror week for the Knicks continue.
i think with jeter, it’ll come up in the contract talks at the end of his current deal, end of 2010. they’ll ask him to move, he’ll ask for arod money. he’ll get 4/100 and we’ll all be happy
Lorenzo, CF is less quick reaction and more speed. Jeter still has his speed, just his initial burst isn’t what it once was.
Jeter will have to move soon, his zone rating is off the charts bad.
Bigger deal for New York:
This years offseason additions to the Yankees.
OR
L. James and gang to NYK in 2 years.?
I like OC. Seems to make good contact at every at-bat.
But I can’t picture Jeter at any other position.
Listening to the Moose interview now. Good stuff.
(Oh, yeah. Go Nicks!)
Sully
I agree but he does’nt stay anywhere long. This will be his third team since Boston.
repost
Sully
February 4th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
Joltin’ Joe
Most of the time it is the manager winning because he has the horses.
Every once in a while you have a manager who can push the right buttons (Lasorda in 1988… Hershiser didn’t pitch EVERY day!)
And every once in a while you have a manager so inept, so stupid and so unworthy of being a manager that he screws up a team that is loaded with talent.
(Did someone say Don Zimmer and the 1978 Red Sox?)
——————————————————————————————
The ‘78 Yanks and Red Sox were so evenly matched that they were carbon copies. The first half of the year, NYY had every injury possible. at the all-Star break, somehow, they all started getting healthy and the Red Soxwho didn’t have a hangnail in the first half, started getting beat up. uidry was incredible all year, but, the Yanks started to really move when Hunter came back in early August and pitched like CATFISH HUNTER. That’s how NYY caught Boston. Nobody expected Bucky F. Dent. Lemon or nobody else can explain how Bucky F. Dent and Brian Doyle pulled off what they did in the playoffs and series. Doyle played betterthan they could have ever expected from Willie Randolph and who ever expected Jim Spencer to replace Chris Chambliss? The playoffs and WS run was the real miracle of that season.
JoeyA– Lebron and say Chris Bosh go to the knicks? Bigger deal imo because the Knicks will go from the toilet to the throne, IMO.
I don’t know the exact quote is, but Moose admits the quote and said it was a fact. But as a teammate, he should really watch sharing those kind of facts. It’s a team sport, you win as a team and lose as a team. Not sure if Moose understands the concept. He also verbalized frustration with Alex and his error after one of Moose’s famous implosions.
I would ask Verducci why he felt it necessary to describe Alex as cloying and SWF-esque.
m
February 4th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
I would ask Verducci why he felt it necessary to describe Alex as cloying and SWF-esque.
————————————————————
Because Verducci was busy “slathering on the polish”.
So Verducci was the one who slathered polish on Alex? Where was Donahue?
http://www.nydailynews.com/mon.....ailou.html
m
February 4th, 2009 at 6:51 pm
So Verducci was the one who slathered polish on Alex? Where was Donahue?
————————————————————
Verdcci’s a slug. He and Torre started building this book years ago and centered it around the conversation that Torre had with Verducci in the SI article in ’06. I imagine that Rodriguez has refused interviews with him since then. Good for Rodriguez. If a writer tries torching you, screw ‘em. They’ll write what they want anyway. It isn’t the first time Verducci has had a grudge against a player.
Went to barnes & noble on 5th to check out “The Book” but they were out of stock. Ended up buying the Buster olney book. The picture on the cover is just horrible but so far it’s been an intersting read.
Maybe they should try to restructure Jeter’s deal now.
Also, I made a video about Peter Abraham. Tell me I’m not the most exciting film maker you’ve ever seen…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJK-4P3XVQ0
I’m having trouble with the revised history and the second guessing regarding Wang in Game 4 of that Cleveland series by both Torre and Moose.
gmen21
February 4th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
move jeter to cf sign orlando cabrera as ss… any takers?
you heard that from the fat man
Doreen,
After reading the ARod chapter (and only that chapter), I don’t think it’s a coincidence that ARod and Jeter made peace only after Torre left.
Torre just did not like ARod, and in the book makes it so clear what he thinks of the rings guys versus all the ones who came later. I think it’s likely Torre was fueling that sentiment in the clubhouse.
Alex literally could not win with Torre. Torre makes a big deal out of the fact that ARod always had a clubbie get him coffee (despite the fact that one of the beat writers noted that Torre always started his media sessions with one of the clubbies bringing him his tea). Torre tells ARod to get his own coffee sometimes, and then he mocks him for making a point of telling Torre when he did so.
It was literally a lose-lose situation for Alex. Torre just did not like his personality. It wasn’t that he was uncoachable, or disrespectful, or even any more selfish than any other player. Torre admits that ARod did what he was told when Torre told him to get his own coffee. Torre doesn’t point to a single thing that Alex did WRONG that pissed him off – he just didn’t like that Alex wanted to be liked, or the way he talked.
Torre comes across as a very petty man in that chapter.
GreenBeret…
The Yankees caught the 1978 Red Sox and the 1978 Red sox collapsed.
A certain stupid manager made sure the Red Sox dealt Fergie Jenkins, Jim Willoughby and Bernie Carbo at the start of the season.
Do you know what they got for them?
Minor leaguer Jon Poloni and cash.
That’s it!
Because everyone knew Zimmer hated them. Now, with Jenkins winning 17 games, Willoughby still a good reliever and Carbo still a good bat off of the bench, I bet they could have amounted to one more win. More so than Jon Poloni.
Also in a critical game against the Yankees in August he pitched Bobby Sprowl instead of Bill Lee. Why? Because he hated Lee. Sprowl didn’t make it out of the first.
Fisk started to wear down towards the end of the year. He had three catchers on the roster. He wouldn’t give Fisk a breather.
Butch Hobson had an injured shoulder and couldn’t throw across the diamond. He made so many errors his fielding percentage for a while was in the .700s!
Zimmer wouldn’t put in a healthier third baseman until the last few weeks.
It’s safe to say that with Jenkins in the rotation, Carbo on the bench, Lee pitching instead of Sprowl, Fisk taking a breather and a third baseman whose arm wasn’t about to come off, then the 1978 Red Sox might have won 2 more games.
Zimmer is a moron.
What would have been the most loved Red Sox team of all time (Yaz! Rice! Fisk! Lynn! Evans! Remy! Tiant! Lee! Burleson! Scott! Eck! Campbell! Hobson!) sat home in October.
It wasn’t out of a choke job like Grady.
it was out his bullheadedness and wanting to save face.
If he did that as a Yankee or Met manager, he would have been tarred and feathered.
After 2004 I have no ill will towards anyone who flopped during the “Curse.”
Zimmer is the exception.
When I see Zimmer’s face… I see the Lord of the Flies
i agree w/ jeter im so excited for this year compared to the last few.
Wait a second, we got Teixeira? Maybe I wasn’t paying close enough attention, but I thought the Red Sox had signed him after John Henry flew the brain trust down to Texas to charm Tex to Boston. Did something happen?
“He (Chase Wright) was designated for assignment on January 27, when LHP Andy Pettitte was re-signed and added to the 40-man roster.”
I dont know if anyone mentioned this in the previous post but this trade seems pretty strange. How did the yanks DFA Wright not even two weeks ago and then, get him back and trade him for someone else? Couldnt the brewers have gotten wright without giving up any value in return? I dont quite understand that but it appears as if the trade was a good deal.
Sully.
My goodness you have come out of the blocks in a sprint.
This is a great blog with very, very, astute baseball fans.
Just a few suggestions…
1)Do not make your post about the Red Sox. If it is relevant to the current discussion then have it.
2)Check your emotions at the door.
3) Do not make your post about the Red Sox.
4) Discuss any baseball topic and CB, SJ44, M, Wave, Randy, Fredo(he has been missing of late) Pat, Green Beret, Joe-LI, Al BK, Rob NY, Doreen,Nick SF(take a peek at his picks against the line and it may make you some dough) and of course Rebecca.. and so on will be more than pleased to engage in great conversation. Sorry for forgetting others.
5) Do not make your posts about the Red Sox
6) Lastly, Take a page out of Woody Allen’s book. Self deprication far exceeds self promotion.
Again, just suggestions, not advice. Advice is expected to be taken and suggestions are from experience…
Respectfully -dennis
Nick,
Did you see John Henry’s fiance? She’s a beaut. He would’ve been better off flying her to Rome, than flying Theo down to Dallas.
Wow, I knew Zimmer was a bad manager, but I never knew how bad. Can’t say I feel bad for the Sox though.
http://tinyurl.com/cfhhv8
dennis, thanks, but when you wrote this, you omitted key info:
“Nick SF(take a peek at his picks against the line *and go the other way* and it may make you some dough)”
Corrected!
Mussina gave a great interview. Glad I took the time to listen. I actually agreed with the way he put the Joba “situation.” He needs to be more economical and if he is, he will be a great starter; what makes people rabid to see him in the bullpen is he DOES have the make-up to be a good closer. I can see that and appreciate it.
I want him to succeed as a starter, however.
Part of me feels bad for A-Rod
He’s a great player. My God before his career is done he may pass Bonds in homers, Rickey in runs scored and have 3,000 hits. He might be the best player of all tme
I once compared him with Wilt Chamberlain.
Wilt will always be in the conversation for greatest basketball player of all time and put up amazing numbers… and yet isn’t beloved by any of the fan bases he played for.
In Philadelphia the basketball Gods are Dr J, Barkley and Moses Malone. I bet even Iverson is worshipped more
The Warriors never even retired his number and San Francisco fans used to boo him like crazy.
And he had great years for the Lakers, but when it comes to being loved by the fans, Wilt is far behind Magic, Kareem, Kobe, Shaq and Worthy.
A-Rod is booed in Seattle
A-Rod is booed in Texas
And he’s had his share of boos in New York and when he opted out of his deal during the ’07 Series a lot of people were saying “Good Riddance.”
He might be the best player we’ll ever see. And does anyone love the guy?
(By the way, I lived in San Francisco from 2005-2008… those people love love LOVE Barry Bonds.)
Thanks Dennis for taking care of that for us.
And Sully, are you refering to Piggy’s head on a stick? If so… yeah I kind of see it.
Jeters range improved from 07 to 08. Why would he want to switch possitions after improving?
Clare =
I agree with you 100%. You are right on target about Jeter and ARod not having a chance at peace until post-Torre.
If you read more, you will see some inconsistencies in how Torre felt about ARod being “selfish” or a prima donna, and Roger Clemens. The only difference, really, is that Torre liked the good ole boy.
“Bigger deal for New York:
This years offseason additions to the Yankees.
OR
L. James and gang to NYK in 2 years.?”
Definitely Bron coming to the NYK. The Yankees are always a contender Lebron coming to the Knicks along with Bosh or Stoudemire will be the talk of the town.
Great Harvey Araton column on Torre’s making excuse, er, book tour:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02.....ref=sports
Ripken was reluctant to move, so why is anyone surprised Jeter is. He’ll move after a couple years too late.
Ernie Banks was already at 1B by the time I started following baseball. Anyone know, or read accounts of, how he handled it?
I feel Jeter would be more open to the move if A-Rod were not around, or if A-Rod stays at third. Maybe he feeled he’d be ceding control of the team? Just IMHO!
John Henry’s fiancee Linda Pizzuti? Is this her?
Linda Pizzuti, 30
Residence: The North End
Occupation: Real estate developer
*Love your twinkle toes.* Thanks. They’re actually Chinese Laundry.
*You’re into sparkly shoes?* Yes. I love eveningwear, and I’m on my way to the Madonna concert so I felt I needed to sparkle.
*Wow, Madonna. Are you a big fan?* I’m a huge fan.
*Old school or new school?* Old school and recent years…not the stuff in the middle.
*What do you think about her recent divorce announcement?* I think she has lived many lives and has started over and reinvented herself so many times. She’ll be fine.
*Any thoughts on her style?* She has a rockin’ body.
http://www.boston.com/lifestyl.....8_spy?pg=2
Dennis,
You hit the nail on the head on all your points especially 1,3,5. Your always welcome to join the Evil Empire whenever your ready. I have an application that has your name on it.
“I feel Jeter would be more open to the move if A-Rod were not around, or if A-Rod stays at third.”
Im not sure if you meant Arod would take over at short. But thats not happening. He is too big for that position now. Its either 3rd or DH for Alex now that Tex is signed. Cant play the outfield unless Wang was pitching and there werent any fly balls hit to him. Jeter has no worries of Arod.
You know… if I really HATED someone, and never wanted to give him any personal support… but I was in a political situation where I represented my group… and I knew everyone was waiting for me to say something… well, here’s what I would say.
“Like I’ve said before, we all support (name). He’s our teammate”
The word ‘I’ is conspicuously absent here. Has Jeter every said ‘”I” support ARod’?. Or ‘”I” know ARod is an important part of our team’? Or “You watch. “I” say ARod wins MVP this year’.
I’m sorry. His statement is as bland, impersonal and politically correct as it could be.
——————————————————–
Bronx Jeers – “Let’s not bring up the whole Jeter sign him/ not sign him/ move him to the OF – debate.”
Let me ask you a question. What will Jeter be batting in 2 years? We he be able to eek out a .750 OPS? At at 36, with well used legs, and NEVER having played OF at any time in his proefessional career… what are the odds that he can even be average on D in the OF? Soriano was a lot younger and more athletic when he moved to the OF, and had a lot of trouble his first year or 2.
So…. you want a below average defender, who gets bad jumps on balls, with maybe a .750 OPS, playing in our outfield???
I don’t know if Jetes will be a liability (ala Ghost of Bernie) in 2 years, but whatever he is, he will be less a liability at SS then at 1B or OF.
Jeter needs a 1 year contract in 2010, and then retire after the year with 3,000+ hits, and then have plenty of time to spread his seed nationwide. That is, if he wants a Yankee uniform to be the last one he wears.
Sos.
Thanks. My wife and I are already spoken for as we are season ticket holders as well…
However ,we have a Golden Retriver that may may be swayed to go the other way with some fancy treats and a Yankee tennis ball. I will have a candid conversation with her this evening during her walk. Wish me luck.
Kind Regards -dennis
Thanks S.O.S. that is what I meant, didn’t think of that. Never mind!
S.o.S.: when you mentioned Wang, that reminded me of something I’d been thinking about: might we sometimes see an outfield of Damon, Swisher, and Nady once in a while when Wang is on the mound?
Another rule:
Don’t take it personally when we laugh at Papelbon or Youkilis.
We have such well behaved, articulate Sox fans here. I wonder if SOSH has as well behaved Yankee fans.
Tarheelyank,
I wonder if they have such well-behaved Sox fans? haha
Good point m. Of course we have GB to keep them in line.
Who would have thought that some of the most thought provoking posts on this blog would be from Sox fans.
Plus, we have been at each others throats since the Torre book crud hit last week.
Dennis,
Solution. Sell all other games that Sox play accept for Yankee ones. Use the profit to buy you and your wife 2 good seats in the Yankee stadium(tickets a tad expensive). Have your dog lead you to the stadium. Your dog sounds like he was born a Yankee and NOSE best.
Welcome.
Well, let’s see, now. Toronto just picked up pitcher Brian Burress from Baltimore and designated catcher Curtis Thigpen for assignment. Thigpen isn’t a bad pickup if he gets to free agency in 10 days.
Old Yanks Fan,
“So…. you want a below average defender, who gets bad jumps on balls, with maybe a .750 OPS, playing in our outfield???”
Where did I say I wanted him in the OF?
“he’ll (Jeter) get 4/100 and we’ll all be happy…”
——————————————————
Are you fugging NUTS????????
Manny, who will post an OPS 150-200 points higher then Jeter can’t get 4/$100.
In 2010, as a SS, Jeter’s fair market value, IF the economy has rebounded, will be $10m/yr at MOST.
Please list all the SS’s in MLB that make $10m or better.
Or, if you like, list the terrible defensive OFers with a .750 OPS who make $10m.
If you love Jeter that much, ADOPT HIM and YOU support him.
You wants the Yankees to win after 2010?
What… watching Bernie bio-degrade in front of our eyes for 2 years wasn’t painful enough? Your want FOUR years of Jeter for more money the SS, Tex and ARod???????????
Gotta go, but GB7, if Po can’t go, Indians are going to tandem Shoppach and V-mart into the catcher’s role. Worth keeping an eye on.
Nick in ‘Frisco ;
That is in fact John Henry’s fiancee . . .
http://www.boston.com/lifestyl.....s_engaged/
It was either her or Teixeira.
Tarheelyank
February 4th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
Good point m. Of course we have GB to keep them in line.
————————————————————
Hey, leave me out of the enforcer role. In case you hadn’t heard, I just won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Tom,
I dont know what was worse.
a. Going through the weeks of Pettitte being under paid or not arguement.
b. Torre back stabbing the whole orginization for a quick buck arguement.
Cant wait till pitchers and catchers report next week.
Nick,
I think that is a very good idea. It would be the perfect opportunity to use all 3 out there. Stealth reads this blog. Maybe he will relay it to Joe and in turn Joe ends up putting an sf on the side of his cap to give you props.
Baseball news from Tampa.
Gardner + Bunting = A good thing
http://www.nydailynews.com/blo.....g-fli.html
“watching Bernie bio-degrade in front of our eyes for 2 years wasn’t painful enough?”
Cant argue with that. I was counting the games till he was finally done. Couldnt throw,run,hit in the end. Painful to say the least. Sort of like Giambi last year.
S.o.S.: I don’t need props; Yankee victories are the best reward.
I would accept game tickets, of course. I could probably get to New York for less than good seats would cost.
Sam,
Are you slacking? It’s been about 33 minutes since you last posted.
Also, Can we talk about the picture of Pete. It’s kind of creepy having him staring at us while he’s on vacation. Can we have a pinch hit picture (just temp. of course). Maybe you shmoozing clients, like visiting Lace and stiletto.
Speaking of tickets for Yankee games Nick. I bought a quality previously owned vehicle a couple weeks back and the guy that sold me the car is a season ticket holder for Halos games. He said he is too busy to go watch the games and to give him a call when Yankees come to town. He would hook me up. Its been costing me 180 bucks a ticket near foul poles ground level. I think the stars are lined up this year. Not only am i going to finally watch a game without having to take a second on my home. But I think i will finally leave anaheim a winner. Whats it cost in Oakland for those types of tickets?
Put me in the Gardner group.
This guy can give us something nobody else on our staff can give us.
If anybody questions the importance of a Gardner type player, watch Mets games. I’m pretty sure every time Reyes got on base, they scored.
A lot of Mets games were 1-0 Mets after the 1st because of Reyes.
IF gardner can find his way at the plate, he is going to be a great addition.
Tarheelyank,
Look at the bright side. The Silletto girls are staring at you as well. I honestly forgot Pete had a picture up there. Doesnt take much to distract me.
Hmmm, I don’t know exactly, I’ve been back east during the Yanks’ sole visits to Oakland the past couple years. Usually I sit higher up, in the middle section.
I’m so excited for baseball, even though its 20 degrees up here!
*sniff*
Dennis forgot me. *sniffs again*
And we go way back – since posting on Mark F’s Daily News blog too.
Al from BK
February 4th, 2009 at 8:45 pm
I’m so excited for baseball, even though its 20 degrees up here!
Don’t be sad Al, 5Am, 12 miles east of tampa. 31 degrees. Cant brag about my comfort this morn
It’s 63 degrees in Pasadena California today