The Jeter Meter

For the past week, the New York sports radio shows were taken captive by anti-Derek Jeter calls. I am amazed at how people have turned on the Yankee captain so quickly. But I guess it shouldn't surprise me.

Maybe I am a true fan of Jeter. Maybe I'm just a loyal sports fan - I know, I'm the last of the species. Unfortunately, sports, like life, is very much a what- have-you-done-for-me-lately kind of world. It's sad, but nothing, and no one, is going to change it.

Yes, heading into today's game against Texas, Derek Jeter was hitting a very light .256. I know he had an un-Jeter-like .270 batting average last season. But it's Derek Jeter. The Yankee captain. The man in the middle for 5 World Series championships. It's been more than 15 years of pure greatness. And as soon as we get any hint of decline, we want the guy dropped in the lineup, moved away from his position, or much worse, off the team in place of a younger, new superstar shortstop. It's absolutely mind-boggling to think of.

And it's not just the fans. It's baseball writers, radio talk show hosts, and commentators. It's disgraceful.

For the past 17 years, he has been nothing but class. And for that, and everything else Jeter has done for us, or given us, we pay him back with this.

All the great moments - the "Flip Play" in the 2001 ALDS, the walk-off home run in the 2001 World Series, the patented back-hand play from the hole and jump throw, the over-the-shoulder catches, and of course, the dive into the stands against the Red Sox in extra innings to save the game.

All that, and now this. "He can't play anymore." "He needs to drop himself in the lineup." "The Yankees need to think about the future and sign a shortstop next year." These are just some of the things said by so-called "Yankee and Jeter fans" who have called into radio shows this week.

Derek Jeter, always the professional, doesn't say much about it, at least with his mouth. On Sunday, Jeter answered all the critics with a 4-for-6 performance, including 3 RBI and his first 2 homers of the year. Two patented Jeter swings, driving the ball to right-center field, quieted the Texas crowd today, and all of the phone lines tomorrow. He appears like he's back to being the Jeter of old, instead of just looking like an old shortstop.

But to me, it's like he never left.