Why the impression of Jeter as a great defensive shortstop?

Question

Okay, Derek Jeter is an obvious first-ballot HOFer when his time comes. However, I'm wondering why so many people think of him as such as a great defensive shortstop. Is it because he made a couple of highlight plays at important times.

When I watch the Yankees, it seems obvious to me that he can't go to his right at all on ground balls. And statistically, these are his ranks among ML shortstops:

Fielding percentage - 16th
Range factor - 19th
Zone factor - 24th

Now, I don't believe any of those are perfect measures, but together they form a pretty clear picture.

Answer 1

Derek Jeter, as a Yankee fan I have to admit it is NOT the best defensive shortstop ever.

He is overrated with his glove.

Mainly because he invented the ''Derek Jeter Flip'' and the over the head Willie Mays type basket catch.

Yes, his fielding percentage is way low.

If he didn't have all of those web jems type plays he would be considered one of the worst defensive SS in the league.

Answer 2

Baseball has always used offensive production to determine defensive prowess. There are a few exceptions, but consider Omar Vizquel ... he was not a gold glover until he started hitting .290 and scoring runs out of the 2nd spot in the order. He was arguably better defensively before that. I don't remember what year it was, but Rafael Palmeiro was once awarded a gold glove even though he only played a handful of games at 1B, getting most of his AB's as a DH.

Derek Jeter has been a steady-if-unspectacular defensive shortstop, but he probably lands right around league average in that department, and the fact that he plays for the Yankees means that every small feat is exaggerated ... However, I think the single most important factor in being over-rated defensively is that he is a good hitter. Sound strange? It is.

Answer 3

Keep in mind hes 33 and most of the current shortstops are under 28 years old. Not to make excuses but when he gets to the ball he makes the play. I don't see anybody making some of the plays that he does. Specifically the "flip play" that one play changed the entire postseason for the Yankees and nobody else would have even been near the ball to make that play. He may not be as athletic as he once was but he's probably the smartest player on the field. In the same post season he took a poor throw from an outfielder and made a perfect relay on the run to get a speedy runner at the plate in the World Series to save a run. He's always in the right place at the right time. He does have 2 gold gloves and this year is a down year for him defensively.

Answer 4

Jeter is a good fielder, not great. He does have a knack for making big plays in high-profile, clutch situations, so that adds to the perception of his defensive greatness.

That being said, overall he has had an amazing career up until this point. In my opinion if he retired today he should make the Hall of Fame. And assuming he avoids serious injury he should easily eclipse 3,000 hits and 250 home runs by the time he's done. Most impressively, he has a legitimate shot at 2,000 runs scored, a more important stat than RBI's, which has only be reached by 7 players in MLB history.

Imagine what I'd say if I actually liked Yankees. lol

Answer 5

Yeah... in fact, A-Rod had been statistically a much better SS than Jeter.. it's just Jeter's massive ego that sent Rodriguez to third.

Also, by the way... put him on any team but the Yankees... suddenly not a first-ballot HOFer. Don't get me wrong.. he's a good player and a gamer.. just not as good as a lot of people give him credit for sometimes. Heck, he's not even the best shortstop in New York right now. Oh well, he's got rings and a $200 million dollar team, he'll make it in.

Answer 6

I think the biggest reason that people think of him as such a great defensive shortstop is that the vision that most people have of him is in the Postseason making plays that are extraordinary...we see these plays over and over. I bought into myself until one of your last questions made me review how good he actually was. He seems to put the little extra style into something that he should not have to and then ends up on Sportscenter. I really think though that when he shines in October and we see it for years on replays we believe it to be reality of the entirety of his play throughout the season.

Answer 7

To me, Jeter hasn't been the same defensively since he messed up his shoulder sliding headfirst into third base a few years back. He doesn't dive all out for grounders anymore, lessening his already limited range. That limited range forces him to make plays - mostly going to his right, that other shortstops make with ease look more spectacular, hence his reputation as a great defensive shortstop.

Answer 8

When Michael Jordan was starting his NBA days, he was good but not really great. It is when he learned to mature and show leadership abilities to carry his team which propelled him to greatness.

Relating it to Derek Jeter, he has shown time and again that it was his solid presence and ability to come out with great plays one after another which solidifies his superstar status as a shortstop. It is not about the numbers actually, it is how your passion for the game truly shows -- and how it rubs off to your teammates.

Answer 9

Yes, it is because he makes highlight plays at important times.

Timing is everything when it comes to perception of greatness.

Nearly 400 players have hit 3 home runs in a game. But only Reggie Jackson did it in the clinching game of the World Series.

Answer 10

Everybofy thinkd he has is a great defensive shortstop, because when he throws he moves around and all that to look like a good stop but it was just a ball right to him.