The A-Rod and Jeter myths

It has been said that Alex Rodriguez carried the Yankees for the first half of 2007. Carried them to where? How much lower could they have been? With that much talent the team was bound to win some games even though they were not playing up to their potential. Their slumps could match or better many other teams' play. So add what was maybe the best half season ever from A-Rod and one would expect at least a few games over .500. Why wasn't their record better?

Does ESPN's and others' emphasis on offense, particularly home runs, cause defense to become less important? Or does poor defensive play cause the sportswriters to concentrate on power hitters? I know at one time players were not allowed to vote for their own teammates for awards. I did not see the reason for this because all teams have the same number of players and equal votes. Why is it then that sportswriters can vote for players in the city they cover when some cities are far over- represented with sportswriters than others? There is also the added problem of attempting to not be prejudiced when some players are good copy and others do not talk to the press. Witness the sarcastic treatment Manny Ramirez gets from ESPN.

While the Yankees do have the best offensive team in baseball, they are also the poorest defensively. A-Rod plays third like a shortstop and is often seen standing, watching a ball to his right that most thirdbasemen would have at least attempted to catch. Giambi is an embarassment. Abreu left his Gold Glove in Phili. Damon is but a shadow of his former self. Cano has potential but is influenced too much by Jeter. I have watched Jeter a lot in the last few years (only because ESPN gives me little choice) and I cannot believe there are not many shortstops more deserving of defensive recognition. His range is not great and his jump and throw is entertainment only for those lacking in baseball and/or physics knowledge. Towards the end of my shortstop playing days, when my arm was long gone and inaccurate when I did attempt to throw hard, I relied on a quick release. I would watch my lob throws just beat the runners. I was well aware that I had to set and attempt a hard throw in closer situations. Unless Jeter has a sore arm, it is quicker to set and throw a bullet than Jeter's method. (I'll admit it is less entertaining.) Doesn't (or perhaps I should say didn't) Torre have the authority to correct Jeter? If I were manager, I would have taken him out of the game, when on a relay throw from Cano to second for the force, Jeter spun around before his throw to first, loosing sight of Doug Mientkiewicz at first, and threw the ball into the runner, causing Mientkiewicz to break his wrist. (If I were Mientkiewicz I would have punched Jeter with the fist attached to my good wrist.) Ironic that perhaps their best defensive player is injured by a show-off. Don't tell me about Jeter's dive into the stands. It was a decent catch but does not deserve the attention it got. The same is true of his flip to home to get Giambi in a past playoff. He is praised for his awareness. But he is a major leaguer and should be aware. (I often hear announcers praise players for doing things I expect Little Leaguers to do.)

Don't we deserve more as fans from those covering sports? We certainly see, hear, and read enough about great offense. I saw nothing about Jeter when Mientkiewicz broke his wrist. Please, those that cover sports, educate us (and Steinbrenner) in all facets of the game, and don't be afraid to tell the truth about our hometown heroes.