David Wright was a model player for the New York Mets franchise. He never did anything to embarrass the team, on the field or off, and his performance would have been put him in the Hall of Fame if not for the spinal stenosis curbing his production and forcing him to painfully walk away prematurely from the game. And his numbers are still better than some of those in the Hall.
Derek Jeter was for the Yankees organization as Wright was for the Mets. Jeter went about his business, quietly, professionally, and he was a winner. He, too, never did anything to embarrass the team on or off the field. Jeter may have suffered from some injuries here or there, but he was lucky enough to stick around long enough to reach 3,000 hits and other important milestones like a few championships here and there…just a few.
Jeter and Wright kind of overlapped during their time in New York. They were two different kinds of players and neither was "better" than the other. But they were comparable in the fact that they were the teams' captains and represented the those teams well. Was Jeter the best shortstop in baseball? No he was not. There were better fielding shortstops and better hitting shortstops. But there wasn't someone else who was the entire package during his playing career.
For fans to say that Francisco Lindor is better than Jeter is not only premature, it's not a logical comparison. They are two completely different types of players. One is not better than the other, they are just different, and Lindor is playing in a different era of baseball. The philosophies are different and the rules are different. And, honestly, what does that have to do with hating Jeter?
So why target Jeter? Because he was on a national television broadcast and wasn’t exactly good? I happen to love Jeter but I don’t think he is very good at the mic. He is not very natural and seems a bit uncomfortable like he is forcing everything to come out of his mouth – there’s not easy flow. Just because someone is a good, or even great, player doesn’t mean they will transition to being good in the broadcast booth.
Jeter never said of Mets fans:
“I’d retire first. It's the most hectic, nerve-wracking city. Imagine having to take the 7 Train to the ballpark looking like you're riding through Beirut next to some kid with purple hair, next to some queer with AIDS, right next to some dude who just got out of jail for the fourth time, right next to some 20-year-old mom with four kids. It's depressing... The biggest thing I don't like about New York are the foreigners. You can walk an entire block in Times Square and not hear anybody speaking English. Asians and Koreans and Vietnamese and Indians and Russians and Spanish people and everything up there. How the hell did they get in this country.”…like John Rocker did.
Jeter never blindsided a Mets shortstop, Ruben Tejada, a dirty shot, and breaking his leg…like Chase Utley did.
Jeter never plowed into a Mets shortstop – a Mets fan favorite, Bud Harrelson – unnecessarily and then started a brawl…like Pete Rose did.
Mets fans have always been knowledgeable and gracious. They have always given respect and reverence to opponents and honoring them when deserved. Before becoming a Met in his final years, Willie Mays ALWAYS received a standing ovation. Opponents who performed well on the field were always applauded. Mets fans have always been smart baseball people who appreciated talent and abilities, and cheered for those whose efforts were sportsmanlike and with heart.
My question is…when…and more importantly why…did Derek Jeter lose the respect of Mets fans?
