Derek Jeter Will Not Be the First Unanimous HoFer

We have been so close, but yet we are still so far away. That is clear from the voting of the 2016 MLB Hall of Fame class. This week we saw Ken Griffey Jr. receive the most votes on a HOF ballot, yet he still fell three votes short of the first ever unanimous election. When it was revealed he fell short, the questions quickly poured in if anyone will ever reach that 100 percent vote.

As Yankees fans we immediately think of two of our most beloved, Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter. Yesterday, the YES Network released a piece asking if Jeter would become the first to reach this historic mark. Upon reading the article and scanning my Twitter timeline, I went back and forth with a couple of my followers on why seeing anyone reach 100 percent is very unlikely. In this post, I want to focus on Jeter and why I believe he will not reach that unanimous vote, nor really come all that close for that matter.

Jeter's Place in History

Jeter wins his 5th World Series

There is no question in my mind, or any other baseball fan's, that Jeter had one of the best careers you could have- regardless of position. He is the Yankees all-time hits, doubles and steals leader. When you lead the NEW YORK YANKEES in three offensive categories, you are special. You've had a career for the history books, and that is exactly what Jeter has done. But that is not all the Yankees' captain accomplished. When you look at his post-season numbers, that is where he really impresses- ranking first in games played (158), at bats (650), plate appearances (734), runs (111), hits (200), total bases (302), doubles (32), triples (5) and not to mention he is third in home runs (20) and fourth in RBI (61)-- oh yea, and has FIVE World Series wins. Jeter was always reliable in the biggest moments which eventually earned him the nickname of 'Mr. November.' Whether it was at bat, or in the field, Jeter complied a jaw-dropping highlight film while playing in the highest leverage games. The spotlight never phased Captain Clutch, and that is why he is considered one of the best ever.

Jeter vs History's Best

While us Yankee fans have Jeter on a pedestal, his place in history as one of the best players is questionable. When you think back on the lore of the nation's pastime names like Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Nolan Ryan and others take their place before Jeter's name comes off the tongue. Even when you name a Mount Rushmore for the Yankees franchise some people have four or five names above Jeter. The New York Post ran a vote for fans to create the Yankees Mt. Rushmore and Jeter was in the second group of four. If you cannot be an unquestioned top four player for your franchise (granted the Yankees franchise is littered with some of the greatest ball players of all-time), how can you be considered to be the first unanimous selection to the Hall of Fame?

Jeter trademarked his jump throw in the hole

Jeter vs HOF Shortstops

At the conclusion of his career Jeter finished with these all-time ranks for shortstops:

Batting Average: Sixth (.310) On Base Percentage: Seventh (.377) Slugging: Eleventh (.440) On Base Plus Slugging: Fifth (.817) Hits: First (3465) Runs: First (1923) Home Runs: Third (260) RBI: Sixth (1311)

When singling him out against the top three vote getters for Hall of Fame shortstops: Cal Ripken (98.53%), Honus Wagner (95.13%) and Ozzie Smith (91.47%), he has the numbers to back up his place in history. However, when looking at the votes those no-brainer HoFers received, it really puts Jeter's vote total in question. When playing, Ripken, Wagner and Smith were all considered to be the best at their position- I'm not sure you can ever say that about Jeter.

Jeter vs Contemporaries

Piggybacking off the idea that Jeter was never considered the best at his position is one to seriously consider when thinking of his chances at obtaining the 100 percent vote. When he entered the league, he was coming in with established vets like Ripken and Barry Larkin already claiming the title of the best shortstops in the game. As his career progressed, he couldn't keep up statistically or athletically with Alex Rodriguez or Nomar Garciaparra. In his later years young guns like Hanley Ramirez and Troy Tulowitzki grabbed onto the title. Now, while all this was going on, there was one constant at a position that was taxing both mentally and physically and the one standing throughout it all was none other than 'numba two'.

Jeter vs the Voters

Here lies the biggest challenge with Jeter, or any other future HOFer, in reaching the illustrious perfect ballot. We saw it this year with Griffey, and we will certain see it again when voters climb up on their high horses and decide to leave off a guaranteed nominee off of their ballots. They all have their (questionable at times) reasons, but for one reason or another, someone is bound to leave a guy off. A common reason we've heard from voters is that a player like Jeter is going to get in, so they use their vote for someone who might be on the cusp of getting enough votes. This reasoning gets my blood boiling more than anything. It becomes a numbers game and not a pure vote. Each writer is given 10 players to vote for. There is no reason not to have a Griffey, Ruth, Ryan, Jeter as one of those 10 no matter who else's name is there. Unfortunately, the process is what it is and for no better reason than a writer's ego will be the reason Jeter won't become the first unanimous election.

Jeter gave Yankees fans everything he had

As a fan that grew up watching Jeter's whole career it is one I will always cherish and pass along to my kids and grandkids. His professionalism, passion for the game, and iconic status in New York all added to the lure of Derek Jeter. I remember his first home run in Cleveland, his last against Toronto. I vividly can see his home run vs the Orioles in the playoffs (what up Jeffrey Maier!) and can replay his home run in the 2000 World Series against the Mets frame by frame. I have tried to emulate The Flip in Oakland and (while not the smartest decision) the Dive vs Boston and of course every chance I get in men's softball (I play shortstop because of Jeter) I do his jump throw in the hole. The highlights punctuate a tremendous career that will undoubtably end up in Cooperstown. Unfortunately, it won't be the coveted unanimous vote.