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Derek Jeter Tells Critics to Shove It

Derek Jeter, the man whom everyone thought was in the midst of drastic decline, has proven that age does not matter! The 37 year old captain (soon to be 38) appears to have aged in reverse this off-season. Not only have we, the fans, seen this, but another Yankee has seen it as well. Alex Rodriguez was quoted the other day saying:

It’s like 1999 again. Three hits every day. You even see it in batting practice. The ball is just jumping off his bat.

The reason why Rodriguez is referring to 1999 is because in Derek Jeter’s 17 full seasons with the Yankees, 1999 was by far his best season from an offensive standpoint. He hit a career high in quite a few categories, including:

Batting Avg. .349
Home Runs 24
Hits 219
Runs 134
RBIs 102

When comparing Derek Jeter’s start of 2012 to the start of 1999, the numbers are eerily similar through the first 17 games of the season. Jeter is currently leading MLB in total hits, and multi-hit games. As we have seen this year, Jeter looks confident, comfortable, and strong at the plate. We haven’t seen THIS Derek Jeter since 2009 when he put up another MVP-like season. Below is a comparison of Jeter’s stats through the first 17 games in 1999 vs. 2012.

Stat 1999 2012
Hits 27 32
Batting Avg. .415 .416
On-Base % .525 .439
Slugging % .862 .649
RBI 14 13
Runs 20 14

While listening to an interview with Derek recently, he credits all of his recent success at the plate to his injury last year. It allowed him to go down to Tampa and fine tune his mechanics which were tampered with early in the 2011 season.I am not trying to jump the gun here, but statistically speaking, if Jeter can keep up this type of production for a few more years, Yankee fans can soon be preparing to witness hit #4,000.

Here’s are some fun stats to ponder over… since Jeter returned from the DL last season, he is hitting .349 in 86 games, with 8 HRs, 59 runs, and 54 RBIs. Not too shabby for a guy supposedly in his decline.

I am interested to hear your thoughts on The Captain’s comeback. Do you think he has what it takes to make a serious run at 4,000 hits? Please leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

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  1. Well, he is ahead of Rose’s pace and seems to be in great shape. I’ve been saying this for awhile, DJ is driven and I really believe he has his sights set on Rose.

  2. I agree with you 100% Kevin! Before the start of the 2010 season, I predicted that he would break Pete Rose’s record, and then he had that dismal season and I thought that age had gotten to him.  Then he got injured in 2011 and came back on fire.  The guy has been good his whole career, but he right now he looks like the kid who broke onto the scene in ’96!

  3. I think Jeter has an outside shot at 4000 hits but he would have a better chance if he was not the everyday shortstop.  The position takes its toll on any one who plays there.  Jeter has a great attitude.

  4. Derek Jeter is the class of the Yankees.  If anyone can get to 4,000 hits he can.  He is the leader on the team and it’s nice to see that he has come back this year to form.  Maybe some of the other high priced hitters will start to crank it up.

  5. Jumping the gun…seems to be the rule among sportswriters/casters.

    One brief period of unJeter-like performance and the Derek bashers were all over asking for his head on a platter. Now, still in April, and the Derek “fans” are all over again, gushing. I would not be surprised if gushers and bashers are the very same trigger-happy writers.

    Good grief!

  6. That’s a very fair assessment. Sadly though, it’s like that everywhere! If the Yankees have 2-3 sub-par seasons where they don’t make the playoffs, I think you will see a big decline in attendance because people only want to pay when the team is doing good. Personally, I have been a Jeter supporter from the get-go, though I honestly did not think he would find his form and really did believe he would continue to decline.

  7. All that comparison did was show how feeble the 2012 vs. 1999 comparison is. “Eerily similar” isn’t 75% the SLG and 85% the OBP.

  8. If he plays 2014 (team option) it seems almost a given he’ll make the top 5, right around 3600 hits. Even better would be if he decides to keep playing (we might have to move him to LF/DH) for another 4 years and take a real run at the hits record. It would nice if one of the two best known offensive records wwasn’t held by a total jerk. Bonds and Rose both belong on the all-time all-jerk team. The other thing is that if Jeter goes over 3540 hits as a SS, it will be very hard to argue aainst him being the best shortstop of all time.

  9. I will be a 76 year old Yankee fan May 4, 2012 living in Thailand.  I’ve been following the Yankees since 1943 and saw my first game in 1945.  Jeter is by far the best Yankee short stop of all time. He may even be the best shortstop of all time in the Majors if he continues playing like he is playing this year.  No one can predict health.  Jeter has always been prepared and comes to spring training in good shape.  He is a wonderful role model for baseball.  This year he seems more relaxed then any year since he came up to the majors.  Notice the smile on his face and talking with practically every player on the opposing team that he comes in contact with.  Good luck to him.  Derek, stay healthy and continue being Derek.  All the best.  Bernard Sandow

  10. Jeter was never IN decline – he’s been around for a long time and there are lulls of course – he’s having a good year thus far and since his return from injury been on one of those ‘highs’ – he will have another lull and the critics will come out again – if you are a “baseball” fan Yankees or not you have to appreciate the style class effort and attitude he has always brought to the game and his play should never be questioned – he’s all thats good in a game most of us love and there is NO team that would not want him – thats what a GREAT player is

  11. I think he has what it takes, barring ionjury, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t get 4000 hits.
    I think he ranks up therre with Gehrig, Dimaggio, Mantle and Mattingly.  Go Jete!!!

  12. Absolutely, but NYY pitchers have to head-hunt everytime DJ gets drilled on his hands or from his knees down…especially BoSox

  13.  Jeter is of course a great player. I doubt if he will get anywhere near 4,000 hits but I hope he does. To compare Jeter with the great DiMaggio and Gehrig is a little bit much. They were far better hitters with power both were great RBI hitters. Gehrig’s career was cut short as was DiMaggio’s due to war time service and injury during his prime time. If not their statistics would be off the charts. Can you imagine what Ted Williams statistics would be if not for five years taken away by military service.

  14. In a sport infested with greed and selfless play there has been for over 17 years one constant. Derek Jeter has been the model sport figure that parents hope there kids will grow up to be. Class and humility define not only the man but the sport legend. 

    No one can ever question Pete Rose’s drive and determination, but if there ever was anyone more deserving of Pete Rose’s hit record it would be Derek Jeter. His selfless play has defined his entire career! 

    To all those critics out there that have for years criticized Derek Jeter for his lack of talent and for being a washed up old man,  no one has done more for the sport, in fact all of sports, than Derek Jeter. His impact will be felt long after his retirement and days on this earth. 

    Among a long string of Yankee legends, Derek Jeter is one if not its brightest star. He is the total package personified, but most importantly he is a Yankee Legend. 

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