Sports Question: Top Five Shortstops
Derek Jeter hit .508 during his Senior year at Kalamazoo Central High School and was named the 1992 High School Player-of-the-Year by the American Baseball Coaches Association.
Someone wins that award every single year. Not everyone goes on to become the cornerstone of one of the most successful teams in Major League Baseball. A sure-fire, can’t-miss, first-ballot Hall of Famer according to nearly everyone, Derek Jeter has a lifetime average of .316, won two gold gloves and has more hits than anyone else in MLB over the last 10 years (1996-2005 hit total: 1,924). It’s hard to believe he’s already a 10-year veteran!
Here are the sports questions for this weekend:
Is there a doubt in anyone’s mind that Jeter is one of the top five shortstops of all time?
If you could choose between Jeter and Cal Ripken, Jr. (in his prime), who would you choose and why?
Besides Jeter and Ripken, who else rounds out the top five shortstops of all time?
September 22nd, 2006 at 2:52 pm
Jeter vs. Ripken, Jr.? Jeter. I’m an anti-fan of the Evil Empire, but when the Yankees have flipped the switch and won so many times over the last ten years, seems like Jeter was in the middle of it about 9 out of 10 times. He’s not only a great player, but he raises the level of his team’s performance in an unmistakable way.
Other shortstops? Of course, The Wizard comes to mind, although, as someone who saw him play a few games during his last few years, I’d have to say he wasn’t such a standout then. Seems like his right shoulder bothered him a lot back then, so that he had to flip the ball rather than really throw it (like Oquendo could from 2nd; what an arm that guy had). But Ozzie was great, and consistent, and fast (although not as fast as Vince Coleman and Willie McGee).
September 22nd, 2006 at 8:40 pm
That’s to say he is the best now is he better then Miguel Tejada right now. Miguel doesn’t have the people batting around him that Derek has. And on top of that is he the best shortstop on his team? Alex is having a bad year and still leads his team in RBI’s. Wouldn’t he be playing shortstop anywhere else he plays. And I would go as far to say he probably is a better fielding shortstop then Jeter.
1) Honus Wagner
2) Alex Rodriquez
3) Ozzie Smith
4) Cal Ripken Jr.
5) Alan Trammell
5) Derek Jeter
5) Maury Wills
September 24th, 2006 at 5:39 am
Ernie Banks
Honus Wagner
Robin Yount
Ozzie Smith
Cal Ripkin, Jr.
Pee Wee Reese
Phil Ruzzito
Is Jeter even the best shortstop on his own team? Is he even the best Yankee shortstop of all time? Give Phil some love.