Thursday, January 29, 2009

What Should Jeter Do?

With Jeter coming out yesterday and saying nothing - as usual - about the Torre book several blogs have been questioning Jeter's leadership. Mike Silva at NY Baseball Digest asks if Jeter is a good captain, and Lisa Swan over on the Subway Squawkers blog says it's "Time for Jeter to stand up for his teammates." Jeter has always been a great leader on the field, but off the field he leaves a lot to be desired.

I, like Lisa, think this is a time where he needs to step up and defend his teammates. Brian Cashman said the other day that "the best way to try to deal with it is, I guess, rally around each other the best you can." That will only happen if Jeter says something.

What do you guys think Jeter should do?

15 Comments:

Anonymous said...

Jeter needs to stand up for his teamates...he is a great captain but this is an instance where he needs to do this...he will lose all respect from the team as well as the fans...plus where is torre now...he is a dodger not a yankee and not for nothing there were many occations over his last few years where he made aweful decisions and was out coached..just my opinion

M-Rod said...

If Prince Jeter condemns the book that will be the final nail in the coffin for Mr T.

Anonymous said...

You know Jeter has always stuck to his guns when it comes to public opinion and I don't see that changing here either. I mean really who is he supposed to defend? The only current Yankee really being attacked is A-Rod and Jeter has been down this road before. He isn't going to "get behind" A-Rod publicly no matter what people say. I don't think he should. By A-Rod's own admission he is more or less his own worst enemy. Everyone else that was attacked is no longer a Yankee.

Why should/would Jeter defend Kevin Brown, Carl Pavano, Gary Sheffield, Jason Giambi and so on. How does that help the Yankees now? Players are professionals and these players are some of the most expensive players in the game. It comes with the territory. This whole should reflect badly on Torre and not Jeter.

Greg Cohen said...

Brad, why don't you think Jeter should support A-Rod?

Anonymous said...

What ever happened to waiting until we read it, and making sure we view the quotes "in context"?

Jeter is fine with his comment yesterday. This is a complete non issue, atleast until after people start reading the book.

Greg Cohen said...

We've seen a lot more of the book in the past few days. With players like Damon and Pettitte defending A-Rod, the least Jeter can do is the same.

Anonymous said...

During the 2007 training camp Eli Manning turned a few heads by responding to Tiki Barber's criticisms. The Giants rallied around him and ultimately won the Super Bowl. Granted there were alot of complicating factors, Shockey going down, Coughlin changing, the first Patriots game, Spagnuolo's defense, Col. Gadston... but one could argue that was a factor that contributed to the tone of the season and the "us against the world" mentality that worked so well.

Jeter never does anything like that. This is where I miss David Cone, he was the vocal leader the team needed. Teixeira is kind of like that too, but as the new guy on the block he's not going to open his mouth, and shouldn't. This is Jeter's job.

Never thought I'd live to see the day that I'd say that Eli Manning is a better leader than Derek Jeter. Then again I never thought the Giants would win the Super Bowl last year either.

Anonymous said...

First and foremost to set the record straight Jeter has 4 rings and Eli has 1. Secondly we haven't read the book in it's intended context so we really don't know enough to draw conclusions.

Greg why should Jeter defend A-Rod? He refused to do so in 2006 and A-Rod had a monster year in '07. If Jeter supports A-Rod here it just feeds into the same thing that Torre was talking about. It's A-Rod all the time, it's A-Rod needing other people to offer him accolades and to make apologies for his shortcomings.

I love A-Rods game you have to respect that but given all the baggage that comes with him I tend to see Torre's side in all this. I do believe in the long run that A-Rod is a bad fit for this team, talent aside. From what I have read so far I agree with most of what Torre is saying. The makeup of the team has been questionable since 2002 and it has shown when it counts. No fire, no drive.....that's not Jeter so why should he support it.

I like Andy but Andy is an apologist and always has been. He stood by Clemens for a long time but when you read what Cone had to say about MacNamee it was obvious that Andy and everyone else knew what was going on. I wish Jeter was more of a vocal leader and maybe the only knock on his resume is him being captain. Having said that though this is an issue that he doesn't need to take a stand on.

Unknown said...

Jeter should stay put and not say anything. The integrity of the clubhouse was violated, and Jeter should neither validate or confirm it, or he is just adding to the problem and pitting one group or another against him.

Anonymous said...

Greg- what happened to "speak your mind"? You were suggesting it was "ok" on some level for Torre to say some of these things, then why isn't ok for Jeter to simply not comment on any of it?

Jeter has always been one to avoid controversy and just play the game. If the rest of the team simply went out there, played the game as hard as they could, and that's it, the Yankees would be a lot better off. You can't make a person into something they aren't. Jeter doesn't talk, that's who he is. It's our fault as Yankee fans, and perhaps the Yankees fault for making him captain, that we expect something from him that he just doesn't do. He doesn't vocalize. He just plays. I'm not going to knock him for not being more vocal, it's who he is, it's who he's always been, and he'll never throw a teammate under the bus like some other managers and players have done.

Greg Cohen said...

Regarding the book, its turning out to be a lot worse than I initially thought.

As for Jeter I just think it's about time he stands up for Alex. I think it would help unite the clubhouse.

Anonymous said...

But Jeter was vocal, when he defended Giambi amidst the steroid scandal.

Jeter's leadership has been suspect ever since 2004, ever since he didn't do what was in the best interest of the team and move to 2nd Base so A-Rod could play short. That would have been leadership. That would have been sacrifice for the betterment of the team. And oh by the way, Jeter's Gold Gloves are a crock of sh**.

It's not like he has to make a long-winded speech, but a brief statement standing up for your teammate against the former coach who has thrown your entire clubhouse under the bus. If Jeter would do anything that represented off-the-field, or in the clubhouse leadership, it would be a welcome change.

Since A-Rod's arrival, Jeter has willingly given up the role as team spokesmen. A-Rod is the one who always addresses the media in post game comments. If Jeter does speak its very brief, or following a good game on his part. Once in a while he addresses the media if the team is slumping, but its rare.

That's what was great about Cone. He talked to the media no matter what. And he took the pressure off of everyone else. Jeter lives in a protected bubble in this town, and he's more than happy to stay there, that is not leadership.

Derek Jeter, and the "Old Guard" are just as responsible for the clubhouse turmoil, and the "imperfect" makeup of the post 2000 team as any of the new guys. The team was never going to maitain the same attitude as the late 90's team, it just doesn't happen that often. But winning players and manager adjust, and do what is necessary to win. If that means coddling an insecure, prima donna like A-Rod than do it, if your serious about winning.

This entire book, and the commentary that has followed, is just about making excuses for the lack of a World Series title the past 8 years, rather than individuals accepting responsibility. That's what's lacking on this team, accountability. And that includes the untouchables, Jeter, Posada, Rivera. Just because you win 4 rings, doesn't exempt you from having sub par post season performances.

Okay, I'm done.

Anonymous said...

TUCK FORRE!!

Anonymous said...

screw this book

Greg Cohen said...

I should be clear about something; I'm still not personally upset by the book. However I understand why people are, and I know the Yankees are. That's why I think Jeter should say something. It could unify the team.