Interesting that a Sports Illustrated survey of 495 MLB players showed that Derek Jeter was voted most overrated.
In a Sports Illustrated survey of 495 Major League Baseball players in its June 23rd issue, Jeter was voted the most overrated player in the game, grabbing 10 percent of the vote. Teammate Alex Rodriguez and Red Sox outfielder J.D. Drew were tied for third in the poll, each with a seven percent share.
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Ironically, when SI asked MLB players, “Whom would you pick to build a team around?” in a separate survey last week, A-Rod ranked first and Jeter second.
I won't weigh in here. You tell me. Is Jeter overrated? What makes him overrated? Or is he just "rated", neither over- or under-?
Let's hear ya. Make the case.
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Any poll -- voted on by major leaguers or nor -- that votes A-Rod as the third most overrated player in the game, has to be suspect.
No, Jeter isn't overrated, and this comes from a Red Sox fan. Well, let me qualify that: he's ansolutely not the most overrated player. He's always been a terrific hitter, this year's visit to suckville aside.
Yes, his defense stinks, and he can barely move side to side, but that's only part of it.
Just going by the top 3, I'd have to guess that the poll was taken among the fans at today's rolling rally for the Celtics.
When I got back into baseball, I took an immediate dislike to Jeter (and ARod, Nomar, etc.) because of all the hype. (I didn't realize that it was an attempt at marketing players like they do in the NBA and NFL.) So I was critical of every little mistake he made...
Then I started watching him every day and I realized that this is the kind of player that we'll be talking about 40 years from now. If anything, his legend will loom larger.
The thing is this: there are lots of great hitters, great fielders and so on. There are always '5 tool' guys. There aren't always guys who are really good AND really, really smart. Jeter is.
Watch him during a game...he is constantly analyzing EVERYTHING that is going on on that field. He knows that the more information he has, the better the chance he will be able to advance a base, catch a ball, get a baserunner, score a run or whatever. He, if he so chooses the TV route after he retires, will eventually be one of the best baseball analysts ever.
It's a pity that his body is starting to get in the way of his intentions, but you can still tell that he knows the best percentage play in nearly any situation.
So, no, I don't think he's overrated...I think he is completely misunderstood.
I agree Os. He's not the best hitter. Not the best fielder. A damn good baserunner.
But he is the most prepared player I have watched.
I'm late to the conversation but wanted to add some input. I wouldn't say Jeter is overrated as much as overmarketed. He's not a good defender and shouldn't win Gold Gloves. He's not a five-tool player. Won't hit for much power. But the guy knows baseball. He reminds me of Tim Duncan in basketball, in that he does the little fundamental things that tend to go unnoticed, like positioning himself as a pitch is coming in. Any Little Leaguer should model his game around Jeter's.
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