What's so wrong about not liking Jeter?

[tigers527]

This subject seems to illicit such a fevered response I thought I would give it its own thread. Some folks act as though you kicked their dog and insulted the virtue of their mother at the mere mention of someone not liking Jeter. No other athlete seems to get such polarizing reactions from fans.

In another thread someone compared Jeter to Barry Larkin, which given their respective sample size seems like a fair comparison as it stands right now. Their numbers of AB, H, HR, RBI, R, are about the same. Barry struck out less and drew more walks, Derek's AVG and OBP is higher and both won 3 gold gloves. Granted, it took Barry 5 more years to compile his career stats, and Jeter should more than surpass Larkin in career numbers. As it stands right now though, I do not see the 2 as that different.

That said, I am not a big fan of Jeter. I do not like having to be told OVER AND OVER again by the media that I must tip my cap to a given player cause he is so great. In fact I usually root against teams/players the media christens as the greatest/best ever. History should be the judge of which teams/players were the best ever. The media at the events should leave such hyperbole to the side and report on the happenings of the event. That said I respect Jeter but I do not like him.

It should also be noted (as I stated in a similar thread) I also do not like Wayne Gretzky, Michael Jordan, and Brett Favre.

[Old Sweater]

Nothing.

What is wrong with liking him?

[NYMets523]

I don't like him either. Most overhyped player of all time.

[Honus Wagner Rules]

I never understood the "I hate Derek Jeter" folks. Is his over hyped? Perhaps. But is that Jeter's fault? It's not like he goes to the media and tells them to hype him up on TV, Internet, radio, and newspapers. Jeter is in the midst of a HoF career, will most like get over 3,000 hits and 2,000 runs. His defense is poor but he's still a great player.

[Seattle1]

He just got an R.B.I. double against my Mariners!

[Mattingly]

Basically, my thinking is that you don't have to be a big fan of Derek Jeter. I'm a fan of him, but not every single thing that he does would I necessarily like.

Is he overhyped? I'm unsure which media outlets you folks listen to. ESPN is often anti-Yankee, and that's one of the biggest out there. Sports Illustrated?

Everyone's got a reason, such as my dislike for Pedro Martinez and David Ortiz.

[Old Sweater]

Basically, my thinking is that you don't have to be a big fan of Derek Jeter. I'm a fan of him, but not every single thing that he does would I necessarily like.

Is he overhyped? I'm unsure which media outlets you folks listen to. ESPN is often anti-Yankee, and that's one of the biggest out there. Sports Illustrated?

Everyone's got a reason, such as my dislike for Pedro Martinez and David Ortiz.

Pedro I can see but why Ortiz Mattingly???

[blacksilverfan12]

He is partially overhyped. A HOF-worthy player? Yes. But, as Mattingly said, many members of the media have particular biases. For example, ESPN hates the Yankees, loves the Red Sox, they love the Lakers and UCLA (going to basketball for a second), the only west coast teams in existence to them (in any sport)

So, is Jeter the best shortstop of all time? No. Is he one of the best? Yes. However, I'd take Wagner, Banks, and maybe even Ripken before Jeter

[NYMets523]

Is he overhyped? I'm unsure which media outlets you folks listen to. ESPN is often anti-Yankee, and that's one of the biggest out there. Sports Illustrated?

For me, it's more individuals than networks in general.

[Mattingly]

Pedro I can see but why Ortiz Mattingly???

He kills us. Nice guy, class act, but he kills us. Manny does also, but I'll have to excuse him because of his goofiness.

Even though it's not his fault, that overhyped HR Derby thing to tell Big Papi where to hit the ball. This is at *YANKEE STADIUM*. In 1999, they had RS legend Ted Williams out there at Fenway. That was very appropriate. Why is a Red Sox player being hyped in the press to be told by some fan where to hit a ball at Yankee Stadium?

No, I don't want A-Rod or any other Yankee in the HR Derby, but couldn't they have done something different?

I like Ortiz in many ways, he controlled Manny in that fight where Pedro and Zim got into it, but ... I just am not too thrilled with him right now. It'll be a passing phase, but right now, I'm not too cool about him. That's it.

[Mattingly]

For me, it's more individuals than networks in general.

Well, you're in the same state as myself. What is there about Jeter that you dislike? Any particular reason, or you "just plain old don't like him?"

Is it anything he's done personally, or is it mostly the media hype?

I think we're going to have to open our personal debate forum here, since we keep running into one another here.

[Mattingly]

He is partially overhyped. A HOF-worthy player? Yes. But, as Mattingly said, many members of the media have particular biases. For example, ESPN hates the Yankees, loves the Red Sox, they love the Lakers and UCLA (going to basketball for a second), the only west coast teams in existence to them (in any sport)

So, is Jeter the best shortstop of all time? No. Is he one of the best? Yes. However, I'd take Wagner, Banks, and maybe even Ripken before Jeter

I think that the problem with the media is that they need someone or something to latch onto to create news. They must've created a poll that asked which would create more media hype? I love the Yankees or I *HATE* (or at least can't stand) the Yankees. Seems like the latter has gotten more votes.

Seems contrary to the strong dislike of Jeter, since he's the name and face of the team. Logic would dictate that he'd thereby receive the most negativity, instead of hype.

He's gotten not so subtle hints that he's not big news anymore, and I think it was either ESPN Mag or SI that on their cover had the Mets' Jose Reyes and the statement that he was the best SS in NYC. If that's not laced thick with a message, I don't know what is.

So the media builds him up to be their posterboy for good playing, being a nice guy, and he's able to attract fans. then they tear him down. I guess I can't blame folks for having strong feelings about him, and I also wouldn't blame anyone if the thoughts weren't semi-neutral. As in you either very much like him or very much dislike him. Are there any "I don't really care either way" on this topic?

I guess that the casual fan needs someone like Jeter to keep them focused on the game, since it's like Pujols is the current face of the Cards. I say not to worry about all the hype, since there are many players and 30 teams, so there are 749 active (and often productive) MLB players not named Derek Jeter.

[tigers527]

It is not entirely true that Jeter is completely innocent in his media saturation, after all he could turn down a national advertising campaign now and again? I know there are MILLIONS of reasons for him to say yes. He does seem to get about as much commercial face time as Mr. Eldrick Woods, ok maybe not that much but still.

Off the top of my head in the last 5 years Jeter has been in the following National advertising campaigns

1. A couple different American Express commercials, most notably the meeting with George about parties.

2. A sweating Gatoraide commercial where Jeter presumably hits a walk off HR against Todd Jones while classical music is playing.

3. One of the MLB licensed video games had the shift from real world to video game where the inner dialogue of Jeter breaks down the pitch he will see (not sure who the pitcher was).

4. Mens cologne with Avon.

5. XM satellite radio where a Jeter and Ortiz bobble head tell you to get the MLB package.

6. That commercial where the baseball field follows Jeter around through the city of NY. I am not even sure what they are advertising, beer?

That is all I can recall off the top of my head. Thinking about it I can only come up with one other player that has had more than ONE national ad campaign in the last five years. Ortiz, has the above mentioned XM commercial, that Direct TV commercial where he and the Chronicles of Narnia lion tell the dude to buy Direct TV, and a subway commercial with Jared.

Not counting MLB run commercials.

Yeah, I know I watch too much TV.

[OleMissCub]

ESPN is often anti-Yankee

What??

I'd crap a brick if BBTN spent more than 30 seconds on a team other than the Red Sox or Yankees.

[blacksilverfan12]

I'd crap a brick if BBTN spent more than 30 seconds on a team other than the Red Sox or Yankees.

True, but they love the Red Sox