Derek Jeter’s “selfishness” is a fable

By Patrick Green | Sep 24, 2014

Look, I get it; I really do. You’re sick and tired of hearing about Derek Jeter, the frivolous gifts he’s receiving, and the “malicious” commercials endorsing him. There’s no rhyme or reason for Joe Girardi keeping the Captain in the two-hole all year, because he’s been…. well, bad. So bad, in fact, he’s produced an abysmal 0.0 fWAR and a 73 wRC+ in 616 plate appearances this season.

There’s a legitimate gripe to be had with all of this; however, some are taking their quarrels a bit too far. Some, like SportsNet NY’s Loud Mouths Host Chris Carlin who called “Derek Jeter a clown,” are turning this into a personal vendetta against number two, and, frankly, it’s ludicrous.

I mean, it wouldn’t be if Jeter had actually done something somewhat wrong, but he hasn’t. That is, unless, you constitute embracing the people who have graciously given him gifts and not asking to be moved down in the lineup as imprudent. Oh, wait. I forgot to mention the worst of them all: Derek Jeter’s starred in a couple of commercials. Wow, what a jerk!

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That last paragraph was satire, by the way; an attempt to undermine the fallacious thinking of those who are criticizing Jeter’s integrity and actions. Did it work? No? I guess I’ll continue, then.

You can’t fault the Gold Glove shortstop for playing in a big-market, which some of you clearly do. And, no, I’m not denying the fact that if Jeter wasn’t on the Yankees he wouldn’t be given such a big sendoff. Because he wouldn’t. He’d probably be given a Paul Konerko-esque sendoff, and I’m sure the masses would’ve preferred that. But that’s not the veracity of the situation.

Jeter didn’t choose to be drafted by the Yankees, and subsequently impact as many lives as he did in a positive manner. Yet, here we are.

We’ve gotten to the point where, after twenty seasons of tremendous play as the face of the Yankees, people are savoring the final moments of his illustrious career. I’d also like to point out that Jeter wasn’t the ‘face of the Yankees’ for his play alone, but also for the way he exemplified leadership and humility on a daily basis. He never let the pressures of the big, bad New York media get to him, and remained cool, approaching every obstacle with unfathomable aplomb.

For nineteen years Jeter was seemingly flawless; never showing a thread of narcissism. I still wouldn’t classify his actions this year as narcissistic, because he’s a human-being who, like the fans, is trying to relish his last year playing competitive baseball; a game he’s been a part of his whole life.

What is also ridiculous about this entire thing, are people saying stuff like “this isn’t who Derek Jeter is,” as if they know, in actuality, who Jeter really is. You don’t, I don’t, none of us do besides the ones close to him. All we see is the guy we want to see, and expect him to adhere to our ridiculous standards that no sane man can feasibly abide by.

Jeter is, from all indications, a terrific person, teammate, and leader, but I’m not claiming to know the guy. I know him from what the media tells me to know about him.

Was it really so selfish of Jeter to prepare the fans for his final season? Was it really so selfish of Jeter for taking his last year in stride? Of course not. But some still are clung to the illogical conclusion that Derek Jeter has turned this season into an ego-driven circus. Is there any chance this article changes anyone’s mind? Probably not. But I’ve said my peace.

Goodbye, Captain.

Sincerely, a Red Sox fan.