Hall of Fame Analysis: Derek Jeter

[MSRoble33]

Re: Hall of Fame Analysis: Derek Jeter

As much as a Yankee despiser as I am ,I WILL concede that Jeter is one fine ballplayer. I think he's above average SS at best, his hitting is good, but not worth near $20mil/year. BUT the guy has insticts, gives it his all, and his numbers are good enough to reach the Hall. He'll be first ballot ONLY dependant on who else is eligible that year. If it's a thin list, then he's got a shot at 1st ballot. If there's stiff competition, then no. He'll take a couple tries at least.

[SportsTop]

Re: Hall of Fame Analysis: Derek Jeter

Do I think Jeter is a HOFer? Yes. Do I think that he will get into the HOF? In all probability. Will it be based only on his stats as a ballplayer? At this point, I would have to say no. I was curious to see how Jeter stacked up to another Yankee Captain, Don Mattingly. Everyone thought that Mattingly was a sure fire HOFer after his first 9 full seasons in the majors (same as Jeter has at this point). Granted, Mattingly didn't have the rings that Jeter had, but I would hardly blame that on Donnie Baseball. Just to take a look at their stats after 9 full seasons:

Mattingly
.314 Avg
1568 Hits
178 HR
826 RBI
5 Gold Gloves
1 MVP

Jeter
.315 Avg
1722 Hits
150 HR
686 RBI
201 SB
1 Gold Glove
ROY
WS MVP

I am simply playing devil's advocate here, but in terms of popularity and intangibles, Jeter and Mattingly were very similar. The main difference was that Jeter has had a team surrounding him where as Mattingly did not (unless you include Danny Tartabull). What happened to Mattingly? As most of us know, injuries soon took their toll and Mattingly retired after the 1995 season (?). A sure fire HOFer was soon turned into a baseball sidenote whose only chance at the HOF is through the Vets Committee in about 20 years.

What does all of this mean? Jeter does not have the injury history that Mattingly had by his 9th season, but with Jeter's reckless abandon at playing the game, you never know what could happen. If Jeter were to flounder around the game for 5 years with injury problems, what would happen to his legacy?

As I said before, I am simply playing devil's advocate here. HOF debates are fun, but risky. 5 years ago, my man Junior was a baseball God. Now, there are some writers and fans who don't consider him Hall worthy. A career can't be taken in full until we see the full career. Or something like that. Wow, I just wrote a full post and didn't say a damn thing.

Mattingly - 1B = Not so good numbers.

Jeter - SS = Above average numbers.

From Baseball-Reference.com:

Jeter

Black Ink: Batting - 6 (319) (Average HOFer ~ 27)
Gray Ink: Batting - 81 (284) (Average HOFer ~ 144)
HOF Standards: Batting - 42.9 (117) (Average HOFer ~ 50)
HOF Monitor: Batting - 132.0 (94) (Likely HOFer > 100)
Overall Rank in parentheses.

Mattingly

Black Ink: Batting - 23 (83) (Average HOFer ~ 27)
Gray Ink: Batting - 111 (180) (Average HOFer ~ 144)
HOF Standards: Batting - 34.1 (206) (Average HOFer ~ 50)
HOF Monitor: Batting - 133.5 (92) (Likely HOFer > 100)
Overall Rank in parentheses.

Act.- Denotes rank among active players, Car. - Denotes career rank
Click on the Car, Act or Year to see the career, active, or league leaderboard.

[SportsTop]

Re: Hall of Fame Analysis: Derek Jeter

Do I think Jeter is a HOFer? Yes. Do I think that he will get into the HOF? In all probability. Will it be based only on his stats as a ballplayer? At this point, I would have to say no. I was curious to see how Jeter stacked up to another Yankee Captain, Don Mattingly. Everyone thought that Mattingly was a sure fire HOFer after his first 9 full seasons in the majors (same as Jeter has at this point). Granted, Mattingly didn't have the rings that Jeter had, but I would hardly blame that on Donnie Baseball. Just to take a look at their stats after 9 full seasons:

Mattingly
.314 Avg
1568 Hits
178 HR
826 RBI
5 Gold Gloves
1 MVP

Jeter
.315 Avg
1722 Hits
150 HR
686 RBI
201 SB
1 Gold Glove
ROY
WS MVP

I am simply playing devil's advocate here, but in terms of popularity and intangibles, Jeter and Mattingly were very similar. The main difference was that Jeter has had a team surrounding him where as Mattingly did not (unless you include Danny Tartabull). What happened to Mattingly? As most of us know, injuries soon took their toll and Mattingly retired after the 1995 season (?). A sure fire HOFer was soon turned into a baseball sidenote whose only chance at the HOF is through the Vets Committee in about 20 years.

What does all of this mean? Jeter does not have the injury history that Mattingly had by his 9th season, but with Jeter's reckless abandon at playing the game, you never know what could happen. If Jeter were to flounder around the game for 5 years with injury problems, what would happen to his legacy?

As I said before, I am simply playing devil's advocate here. HOF debates are fun, but risky. 5 years ago, my man Junior was a baseball God. Now, there are some writers and fans who don't consider him Hall worthy. A career can't be taken in full until we see the full career. Or something like that. Wow, I just wrote a full post and didn't say a damn thing.

Mattingly - 1B = Not so good numbers.

Jeter - SS = Above average numbers.

From Baseball-Reference.com:

Jeter

Black Ink: Batting - 6 (319) (Average HOFer ~ 27)
Gray Ink: Batting - 81 (284) (Average HOFer ~ 144)
HOF Standards: Batting - 42.9 (117) (Average HOFer ~ 50)
HOF Monitor: Batting - 132.0 (94) (Likely HOFer > 100)
Overall Rank in parentheses.

Mattingly

Black Ink: Batting - 23 (83) (Average HOFer ~ 27)
Gray Ink: Batting - 111 (180) (Average HOFer ~ 144)
HOF Standards: Batting - 34.1 (206) (Average HOFer ~ 50)
HOF Monitor: Batting - 133.5 (92) (Likely HOFer > 100)
Overall Rank in parentheses.

Act.- Denotes rank among active players, Car. - Denotes career rank
Click on the Car, Act or Year to see the career, active, or league leaderboard.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: Hall of Fame Analysis: Derek Jeter

If I was starting a franchise, and I wanted to win, I'd be hard pressed not to take Derek Jeter over everyone else in the league.

The guy personifies the word "intangibles". Has some really nice stat lines too.

He is an ABSOLUTE Hall of Famer.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: Hall of Fame Analysis: Derek Jeter

If I was starting a franchise, and I wanted to win, I'd be hard pressed not to take Derek Jeter over everyone else in the league.

The guy personifies the word "intangibles". Has some really nice stat lines too.

He is an ABSOLUTE Hall of Famer.