Derek Jeter will Finish Career with Yankees

Scooter — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 16:12:12 +0000

It would be hard to imagine Derek Jeter finishing his career with a team other than the Yankees. Jeter is the Yankees and the captain of the most storied franchise in sports history. The Steinbrenner’s need to reach deep in their pockets and in their hearts and offer Jeter an extension that would have Jeter in pinstripes for the rest of his baseball career.

The team captain has five World Series rings, count them – 96, 98,99,2000 and 2009. He has led his team both on and off the field. He is what every kid wants to be like and for good reason, he’s a leader.

Jeter is in his final contract year and I hope that the Yankees seal the deal before the season starts. Yankee favorite Mariano Rivera is also in his final contract year. Mariano Rivera is the best closer in the game and has been for more than a decade.

Yankee fans will one day see another player at shortstop, but that’s life in baseball. The next New York Yankees shortstop will have some big shoes to fill.

As a starter, Jeter has played in more than 150 games in 11 out of 14 seasons. He has a life time batting average of .317 with 2747 hits, 438 doubles, 58 triples, 224 home runs, 1068 RBI, 305 Steals and 885 walks.

Jeter has played in 138 postseason games. He has a .313 batting average, 175 hits, 27 doubles, 20 home runs, 55 RBI, 16 steals and 61 walks.

Awards:

Awards (year/award)

1996 AL Rookie of the Year
2000 ML AS MVP
2000 AL Babe Ruth Award
2000 ML WS MVP
2006 AL Hank Aaron Award
2009 AL Hank Aaron Award
2009 ML Roberto Clemente Award

Gold Gloves

2004 AL (SS)
2005 AL (SS)
2006 AL (SS)
2009 AL (SS)

Silver Sluggers

2006 AL (SS)
2007 AL (SS)
2008 AL (SS)
2009 AL (SS)

My favorite Jeter moment was when he ran across the diamond and flipped the ball back handed to Posada to tag out Jeremy Giambi at home plate in the 01 AL Division Series. The Yankees won the AL Division Series (3-2) over Oakland Athletics and won the World Series by beating the New York Mets in 5 games.

Not a bad resume and one that will place Jeter in the Hall of Fame!

Papelbon or Rivera Who is Better?

Scooter — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 21:45:25 +0000

Jonathan Papelbon will be paid $9.35 million for one year and will surpass Mariano Rivera’s salary of $7.25 million on his current contract. If you compare their 2009 statistics and salary, Mariano is by far the better closer and he also helped the Yankees win the World Series.

Papelbon had a 1.85 ERA with 38 saves in 41 opportunities and a 1-1 record last year, but was awful in the playoffs. In the final game of a three game series against the Los Angeles Angels, Papelbon gave up three runs in the ninth inning.

Mariano Rivera 2009 Stats

Saves: 44
ERA: 1.76

Post Season
Saves: 5
ERA: 0.74

Papelbon 2009 Stats

Saves: 38
ERA: 1.85

Post Season
Saves: 0
ERA: 13.50

You can’t argue with the numbers. Let’s face it, Theo paid too much!

MLB Tribune » Mariano Rivera

Derek Jeter will Finish Career with Yankees

Papelbon or Rivera Who is Better?