Why is jeter not playing today

By the time he retired, he had played more games at shortstop than anyone in history other than Omar Vizquel. And he played more games in New York pinstripes than anyone who had come before him. The backlash was probably inevitable given the zealotry of Yankees fans. Their insistence that Jeter was above criticism made him a more inviting target to critics. The shortcomings of his late 30s do not come close to overshadowing the accomplishments of his 20 seasons in New York.

Only four other players in MLB history had more than 12, plate appearances with a career batting average of at least. The first was Ty Cobb and the last was Stan Musial. That is, until Jeter became the fifth when he retired in That was the only team I ever wanted to play for as far back as I could remember. John Romano can be reached at jromano tampabay.

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The year-old could make his major-league debut in , though he's facing long odds to make the Opening Day roster. The year-old Downs is the Red Sox's top infield prospect, with most of his minor-league action to date coming at shortstop. With Xander Bogaerts entrenched at that position, however, Downs' most realistic path to a full-time role in the majors comes at second base, where Michael Chavis and Jose Peraza currently check in as the top options on the depth chart.

Boston is likely content to proceed with that duo manning the position in , but if Chavis, Peraza or Bogaerts ends up missing extensive time for whatever reason, Downs could get his first taste of the big leagues. Downs reached Double-A at the tail end of but spent most of the campaign in High-A, slashing.

Downs has made 82 starts at second base during his minor-league career, Christopher Smith of MassLive. Downs is primarily a shortstop, but that spot on the Red Sox is locked up by Xander Bogaerts six-year contract. As such, Downs' quickest path to the majors is at second base, where the Red Sox are unsettled in the long term due to Dustin Pedroia's knee injury. Developmentally, Downs' estimated time of arrival to MLB is , so it wouldn't be surprising to see the organization give him more time at second base at Double-A Portland, then at Triple-A Pawtucket.

Downs spent most of the season with High-A Rancho Cucamonga, hitting. The year-old also stole 23 bases for the Quakes. Downs was considered expendable while playing below elite middle infield depth within the Dodgers' organization, according to Jim Bowden of The Athletic.

The change of scenery early in the shortstop's career may provide Downs with a more favorable opportunity to climb the minor league ladder during his next few seasons. Downs will get a taste of big-league pitching after proving capable against his competition at High-A and Double-A in Given the Dodgers' depth, Downs -- who is not on the team's man roster -- could spend all of in the minors.

It was, bottom line, trying to win a job. His task did not go well. The first time Jeter touched the ball in an intrasquad game, he threw the ball away for an error. The first time he touched it in an exhibition game, he threw the ball away in his haste to avoid a slide from Kenny Lofton of Cleveland.

I do think they probably would have sent me down, but Tony Fernandez broke his arm toward the end of spring training, and I basically felt like they were stuck with me. He may have been pressing, but he had a good look in his eye all spring.

That look was verified in the playoffs. I was too demanding, too hasty. His patience ended 22 days later when Fernandez broke his elbow—on the same day Jeter made two more errors. The Yankees lost their safety net behind Jeter.

To acquire one, Steinbrenner considered a trade with Seattle for infielder Felix Fermin. Steinbrenner pushed for the deal. Torre, Watson and Brian Cashman, then the assistant general manager, pushed back. They won out. Jeter quickly rewarded their faith. I can do it. Batting ninth mostly, Jeter hit. Not until Aug. In a primer for the postseason, Jeter slashed.

It was so unusual. He had a good upbringing. His parents did a wonderful job. They raised him to be ready for this situation. Believe me, we looked for anything to get on Derek about.

The way he carried himself, the way he dressed, the way he spoke … and we found nothing. It was truly remarkable how at 21, 22 he was so completely ready to be a major leaguer and a star.

There was one rare moment when Jeter showed his youth. It was Aug. The Yankees were tied, 2—2, in the eighth inning against the White Sox. With two outs and Cecil Fielder at the plate, Jeter tried to steal third base.

He was thrown out—just as Chisholm was for his team this year. I remember he had to stay on the field—it was the third out. We have a game to win. I knew I was in trouble. From what I understood, Mr. T was going to wait to speak to me after the game or the next day. After the inning ended, he squeezed himself into the tiny space between Torre and Zimmer on the bench. He was going to take his medicine. He was so refreshing.

October completed The Charmed Season, though it began poorly. In a loss to Texas in Game 1 of the American League Division Series, Jeter, batting ninth, left six runners on base with a strikeout, pop fly and ground ball. Tomorrow is the most important game of your life. There was a trust he earned at a very early age that is so rare. Can I play in the playoffs? The next night Jeter became the youngest Yankee to get three hits in a postseason game at Yankee Stadium as New York began its run to the world championship with a 5—4 win in 12 innings.

He started the winning rally with a single and scored the winning run. The Yankees won 11 games that October, only once without Jeter scoring or driving in a run. His key contributions also included:. In 15 postseason games Jeter slashed. But trust me. Mostly, probably, because they got tired of hearing him talked about in hushed, reverent tones ad nauseam during his prime. And no doubt, he was on television a lot during the October spotlight because his Yankees were always there.

The Yankees made the postseason each of his first 12 full seasons in the majors, and his Yankees won 13 of the first 14 playoff series of his career.

Even pre-Jeter, of course, the Yankees were a pretty polarizing franchise anyway, with a lot of love and a lot of hate and very little in-between. And some of the folks who love the Yankees do their best to protect their idealized view of their favorite franchise and the players they love, attacking any perceived slight.