2007-06-05 03:44:20 · 14 answers · asked by Kelly P 4 in Sports ➔ Baseball
Tough call, but I'd have to give it to Jeter, even though I'm not a Yankees fan.
Ortiz has more value at the plate, especially given his power numbers, but Jeter is obviously not a slouch when it comes to hitting. Jeter gets the nod, though, because of the fact that his fielding adds enough value to his worth that it pushes him past Ortiz. If you look at measures like Win Shares, Ortiz will have the better hitting numbers but is obviously not given points for defense because he never plays the field.
Two things in the previous answers did catch my attention, though:
1) Jeter as "clutch" - His "close and late" numbers are well below his career average. He's not a bad hitter in the "clutch," but hardly deserving of this reputation he seems to have as a clutch performer.
2) Jeter as a great fielder - He's been better these past few years, but it's laughable to think of him as a great shortstop. He has possibly the worst range going to his right as any SS in baseball. It's just his good fortune that he made some great plays on the big stage that overshadow his average fielding.
2007-06-05 04:14:52 · answer #1 · answered by Craig S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow. In a way, this is kinda tough, but i wont be biased since i'm a red sox fan. David ortiz can hit for power and come through in the clutch, and he can even run too at certain situations! Derek Jeter is probably the most clutch player in the game today. Not only can he consistently deliver great hits, but he can make some great defensive plays. Jeter will probably be a more valuable player than Ortiz. So Jeter is better.
2007-06-05 10:50:44 · answer #2 · answered by Troy T 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Derek Jeter in my mind is more of a complete ballplayer. Not only can he come up with the big hit in the clutch situation, but he also plays in the feild at SS. However as far as hitters are concerened, I'd take Ortiz over Jeter.
The way I look at it, if they both played for the same team against the Orioles, I feel as if Jeter would be easier to strike out, as well since he has less power than Ortiz, there's more of a chance that that deep fly ball land's into the outfeilder's glove on the warning track, instead of a fan's glove in the outfeild bleachers for a grandslam.
2007-06-05 11:28:26 · answer #3 · answered by Baltimore Birds Fan 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Jeter is so much better than Ortiz. Jeter plays the field, all Ortiz does is hit. Jeter has and always will be the better of the two. Yes, Oritz will probably hit more home runs, but I don't really care about that. What matters is that Jeter is able to help his team out on defense and offense
2007-06-05 11:14:08 · answer #4 · answered by starysky2004 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Am biased, as by my name, but Jeter is much more of a complete player than Ortiz and has had a much better career. Jeter plays the most important defensive position on the field, while Ortiz is a DH.
2007-06-05 10:49:28 · answer #5 · answered by jeterripken 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You'd have to say Jeter because he plays the field and has good speed, but it's situational when it comes to hitting.
Man on second, tie score, I want Jeter, he'll get the base hit to win the game.
Men on 1st and 2nd, down by 2, I'll take Ortiz, he's most likely to hit a 3 run homerun and win the game.
2007-06-05 10:52:19 · answer #6 · answered by John H 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's not really a fair question, considering the whole DH and position player thing. as far as offense, ortiz is the better player, but as an all around player jeter is the superior.
if by better you mean who people would take if they were starting a team, i'd personally go with ortiz. he is the best DH in the game today, and one could argue the most clutch player in the league as well. jeter is a great shortstop, and will one day be in the hall of fame, but he's not the best shortstop in the AL (orlando cabrera) let alone all of baseball.
2007-06-05 12:21:16 · answer #7 · answered by greg 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As much as I hate to admit this... Jeter is by far the better of the two. The fact that Ortiz is only a DH while Jeter is a gold glove calibre SS and a great hitter, Jeter wins this no contest.
Oh that was painful!
2007-06-05 11:27:16 · answer #8 · answered by blue26 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Thats like asking if an orange is better than an apple.
They both do their jobs well, but overall, Jeter has been the most consistant. If you remember Ortiz's days with the Twins, he couldnt hit nearly like he is with the Sox
2007-06-05 11:19:34 · answer #9 · answered by Derrick H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jeter is more of a complete player
He brings the offense, defense and team leadership to the yanks
Ortiz just brings massive offense
jeter is "better"
2007-06-05 11:06:00 · answer #10 · answered by TheSandMan 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋