Top 7th inning, Mets up 11-5, one out, nobody on, and Fernando Tatis grounds out to "third baseman" Alex Rodriguez. Here follows the play-by-play from Keith Hernandez, Ron Darling, and Gary Cohen:
Keith Hernandez: You know, A-Rod's a nice-fielding third baseman.
Gary Cohen: Yeah.
KH: You gotta remember, he was a shortstop all those years--
GC: A Gold Glove shortstop.
KH: Yes he was. He came over to the yanks, moved to third and he...he can pick it over there. It's a nice play. A long hop, he backs up for the long hop. Strong arm.
GC: I remember he made that great diving stop on Tatis's ball back in the 2nd. Couldn't get a good throw away, but he's got a lot of range there at third base.
Ron Darling: And when he first went there, he agreed to play third base. It was tough for him right at the beginning, 'cause that ball comes with a lot of spin sometimes at third base.
[At this point, Brian Schneider grounds out to second. As the SNY team wraps up the inning, here's the key exchange, and yet another reason why Gary Cohen is the best play-by-play guy in the business.]
GC: And of course, the thing that the yankees never talk about is the fact that A-Rod is still twice the shortstop that Jeter is. But you're not allowed to say that here.
RD: [laughs, agreeingly]
--cut to commercial--
And yes, "agreeingly" is an adverb. Totally.
If the yanks don't ever win another World Series, it will be because Derek Jeter, Mr. Super Captain Clutchy-Clutchness was too much of a selfish douchebag to move to third. I really hope Jeter and A-Rod don't break up over this.
*fingers crossed*
3 comments:
Let's take as a given that A-Rod is a better shortstop than Jeter.
That issue aside, are you suggesting that Jeter is a below average shortstop, or just not as good as A-Rod?
Second, doesn't the combination of Jeter being at worst an average to above average shortstop along with a way above average offensive player -- from batting avg. to on base percentage, to RBI, to runs, to steals, to average with RISP -- make him an in credibly valuable player?
Third, do you agree that he should have won the MVP award two years ago instead of Justin Morneau? Or if not, do you argue with his second place finish?
I am definitely suggesting that Jeter is a below average shortstop, and he's only getting worse now as he gets older. People still seem to think he's good because one time he caught a ball and jumped into the stands; and another time, Jeremy Giambi forgot to slide, so Jeter's relay throw (for which he was waaaay out of position) was awesome.
The fact is, the guy can't go to his left to save his life, an example of which was his failure to get Luis Castillo at first on that slow grounder up the middle with the bases loaded, which led to the Mets' first run. (I have suggested that he is the Derek Zoolander of shortstops: pretty face, maybe, but can't go left.)
He's an awesome hitter, especially for a shortstop, and that certainly makes him very valuable. And yes, I would've given him the MVP in 2006. Justin Morneau had a very nice season, but there were at least two players on his friggin' team (Mauer, Santana) who had better years than he did.
Jeter's a great player, mostly for his hitting, and I have no problem with him going in the HoF first-ballot. But it has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with his fielding. In fact, if there's any reason to keep him off the first ballot, it would be that he was too egotistical to move to third for someone way better.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooooooo
He called you Arsenio!!
Oooooooooooooo
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