Derek Jeter: Was the Captain Right in His Actions Defending Jorge Posada?
May 17, 2011 · Josh Benjamin · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
Last weekend, New York Yankees designated hitter Jorge Posada caused a stir by removing himself from the lineup after learning he would be batting ninth. Earning that spot in the lineup wasn’t a surprise, as he is batting just .165, while looking awful at the plate.
Team management was less than thrilled about Posada’s ego coming out like that.
However, they seemed more upset that team captain and starting shortstop Derek Jeter seemed to find Posada’s actions acceptable.
“If I thought he did something wrong, I’d be the first to tell him, ” Jeter said.
This statement apparently irked the Yankees‘ higher-ups. Why wouldn’t the team captain call out a player who was acting like a petulant child?
Well, I’m here to say this. Derek Jeter was completely right in the way he handled the Posada situation. On top of that, he has every right to tick off team management considering how he was treated during the offseason.
Let me put it this way.
After having the first bad season of his career, the Yankees’ front office and, specifically, GM Brian Cashman, treated Jeter as just another player.
Instead of acting the way they did, they should have realized it was probably just a fluke year.
What happened was something that appalled me both as a baseball fan and a Yankees fan.
Brian Cashman basically told Jeter to go test the market and see if there were any better offers. Long story short, he knew no other team would put out a ton of money for Jeter and that the longtime captain would have no choice but to take a deal in New York.
Jeter eventually did that, but made his feelings known in the press conference, announcing the contract and stating how he was not pleased at how the negotiations became public.
Clearly, the cooled relationship between him and the front office has carried over into the season and become a distraction as he is only batting .255 with two home runs and 11 RBI.
Now, the Posada drama has become a distraction. Does the slumping team really need more off-field concerns?
On top of his frosty relationship with the front office, Jeter was right in defending Posada because the two are very close. Jeter was the best man at Posada’s wedding and describes their relationship as one of two brothers. That being said, there’s no way that one would throw the other under the bus.
So, with all of that said, I have one thing left to say, specifically to the Yankees’ ownership and front office.
Leave Jeter and Posada alone. You’re making a big deal out of nothing. How about you spend less time on petty drama like this and focus more on what’s causing the team to slump as well as what’s the best way to start the winning streaks again?
I suggest that starts happening right away, otherwise, you will not only have to incur the wrath of Jeter and Posada, but of all Yankees fans.
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