LAST COMMENTS ABOUT DEREK JETER

December 9, 2010

I first thought that one article covered everything, then came the second.  Now I must deal with the final episode on the Jeter affair that somehow bothers me.

In original negotiations, the Yankees felt that, for a guy 36, and an off-year behind him, why not make a 3 year deal? The proposal was for $45 million.  All this was logical.  It made sense.  However, more time went by because Jeter and his agent, Casey Close, decided to fight for 2 extra years.  The fact that another $6 million was added, making it $51 million for 3 years, became just a compromising number.

I spoke to my grandson, Zachary, age 8, and his comment was that years 4 and 5 were outrageous.  I don't know of anybody, Yankee fan or not, who didn't think that the extra 2 years were justifiable.  If the WORLD thought so, why did the Jeter camp prolong the inevitable? This wasn't even a bargaining point.  It was a real disgrace.  As Hal Steinbrenner said, "It was a difficult three, four weeks, but we got it done."  It would have been ONE week if not for the extra 2 years nonsense.

Then comes the added attraction that Jeter is now annoyed that the Yankees publicly announced that he should actually have tested the market for a better deal.  Whether the Yankees made the comments or not, it was understood by everybody that he just might test the market regardless.  What's the big deal?  Why should Jeter be annoyed by this publicity?  Isn't he in the public eye?  Where's his privacy?  There isn't any. 

Listen.....years ago I was considered too small to play major league baseball.  I would have settled for a million a year, even for only one year.  I carried on for decades and absolutely NO ONE wrote about me simply because nobody knew me.  When does an unknown get headlines unless he leaps from the top of the Yankee Stadium?

Pettitte

And while we're it, Andy Pettitte is still trying to decide whether he should pitch again in 2011.  How long does it take to sit down with his family and advise the United States of America what he wants to do?   This insensitivity is making it hard for the Yankees to figure out in which direction to go, and it is just unfair to keep the world waiting.  Make up your mind and let Brian Cashman  plan for the season!  It's damn frustrating for him.

  

When I was about 59, I still had dreams of being the oldest pro player in the country.  One scout, who was a very wonderful person, looked at me after I had just lined out, and instead of saying that I was too old, too small, and couldn't hit the long ball, he patted me on the back and said, "Moe.  Try to forget it.  The Mets have a great outfield.  They don't need you."

Our Herb

That scout was the legendary Herb Stein, who just passed away at 93.  He signed many major leaguers, including Rod Carew.  He was a great person and was loved by everybody who knew him.  A new memorial award will be named in Herb's honor at the annual scouts Hot Stove League banquet in late January.  This gesture should become a forerunner to getting him into the Hall of Fame.

Graphics by Eddie Resner 

Eddie Resner for the Allied Investment Group