Derek Jeter Hit by Heater? Is He a Cheater or Pumpkin Eater?
September 16, 2010 · Kelly Scaletta · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
There is some controversy today over whether Derek Jeter was wrong for taking a free base he didn’t earn. If you don’t know the story, Jeter faked getting hit by a pitch, and if they had an “Best Performance by an Athlete” category for the Oscars, he’d have claimed himself a nomination.
The ump bought it and gave him the base. Afterward, Jeter admitted that he wasn’t hit so the facts aren’t in question. The question everyone is discussing now is whether he should have taken the base and how it affects his legacy.
Some have referred to it as being similar to corking a bat. Others have compared it to A-Rod’s “Ha!” moment. They say that it tarnishes Jeter’s legacy.
Where does this fall into the “unwritten rules” of baseball and was it wrong?
First, I’ve never like the notion of “unwritten rules.” Rules, by definition, are written. The origin of the word derives from the governmental “rule of law” which is literally defined by what is written, i.e., “So let it be written, so let it be done.”
The actual writing of something is precisely what makes it a rule, which means that there is no such thing as an “unwritten rule.” Now, having said that I’m under no delusion that there’s not a commonly accepted behavior. However, I do want to delineate between breaking rules and acting outside of accepted guidelines of behavior, because it’s literally the difference between cheating and not cheating.
Does Jeter’s action show where he’s at right now in his career? Absolutely. It shows he’s not so confident that he can get on base. It’s entirely different from bringing a corked bat or taking steroids though because those things require forethought. This was more of an opportunity presenting itself and Jeter taking it.
It does bring to mind a situation earlier this year when Pujols got grazed by a pitch and tried to pass it off like he wasn’t. Much to his chagrin, the ump gave him the base.
Derek Jeter did not cheat. He acted. Technically, Alex Rodriguez did not cheat, he shouted. Personally, I think that people that get all bent out of shape about unwritten rules being violated should start writing them down. Then they will be rules. I don’t have a problem with what Jeter did. Let him eat pumpkin!
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