Alex Rodriguez has come forward as the first to admit that his relationship with Derek Jeter isn’t what it once was (Like that was a big secret). He claims that he and his former best friend still have the utmost respect for each other and that they root for one another to do well. The ultimate goal is to win a World Series in New York after all. Is this just more “Say the right thing”, coming out of Yankees Land, or is this a step towards healing wounds and relocating the chemistry that was a trademark of the championship teams? We’ll see, but I’m actually more concerned with other things that have annoyed me for a long time.
You can trace the deterioration of the friendship back to an interview with Esquire magazine in 2001. In the article A-Rod, then with Texas, candidly expressed in a medley of ways that Jeter wasn’t as good as him. Among other things (I’m paraphrasing) he said: 1) It was unfair to Jeter to compare their numbers. 2) Derek had more talent around him. 3) Jeter never really had to lead a team. 4) Opposing teams worried more about stopping other Yankees in comparison to Derek.
The funny thing is, back when A-Rod expressed these opinions, Yankees fans were the only ones who seemed outraged. Many others around the country would only admit that A-Rod’s comments came across as a bit crass, especially considering their highly publicized friendship. However, most of these same people claimed Rodriguez was right. As a lifelong Yankees follower and fan of Derek Jeter, it absolutely kills me to hear the hypocrites at work in 2007.
Back at the time of those comments, all you would ever hear about Jeter was how he was the most overrated player in baseball. Insults flew down from Boston about how Nomar Garciaparra put Derek to shame. They even coined that annoying, "Nomar's Better!!!" chant. We also heard that "Derek couldn't sniff A-Rod’s jock" and that "Miguel Tejada was superior in every category too". As with all things Yankees, a steady diet of criticism was directed at Jeter regarding his play.
Fast forward a few years and the picture clears up. Rational heads will tell you that home runs are overly glorified. You also cannot fairly compare the RBI totals of a player such as Jeter (who has spent his entire career batting lead-off or out of the 2-hole), with middle of the lineup guys. One should never underestimate the value of a clutch hitter. Leadership takes place on the field not in the tabloids. Nomar proved he was made out of peanut brittle and got run out of Bean Town. Tejada showed that the only thing he does better than Jeter is hit a few more out. A-Rod continues to look for the right sports psychologist to help cure him of a psyche as fragile as egg shells.
As for Jeter, let’s just say Rodriguez coming to the Yankees was the best thing that could possibly have happened to him in the court of public opinion. In the case of Alex there is someone FAR easier to direct biased filled venom towards. I’m not even saying that A-Rod doesn’t deserve a lot of it. Some of it is over the top but a great deal of it rings true. His recent post-season failures aren’t a mirage and that has to count for something. It’s not even about being the highest paid player in baseball, although that makes it even more ironic. Flat out he has sucked in the clutch.
Just do Jeter, the Yankees, and all New York fans a favor. Don’t start lauding kudos on Derek now because it's an easy way to further vilify Rodriguez. Back in 2001 he was "all hype" because of the New York media and East Coast bias. Now in 2007 he’s Mr. Clutch, an All-American hero, class act all the way, the face of the Yankees, the ultimate gamer etc..., etc…, etc… The problem is, he was all of these exact things back then too. You just wouldn’t give him credit for it. Now with Rodriguez to dump on, praising Jeter is an easy way to promote your agendas.
Now go find a way to spin A-Rod’s latest statements into more reasons why he’s a gigantic jerk. You know you want to. It’s the Yankees for goodness sake. You can’t help yourselves.
Back in the day, when I was single and would galavant through Orlando, Florida on search and destroy missions for available females, I had a strapping, virile wingman by my side. Chicks LOVED this guy. However, my friend, my counterpart, my partner in crime, let's call him Harold, was married.
Although we hung by each other's sides, there was always an unspoken rift between us. Although we respected each others god-given talent for the game, I knew he'd never truly be a "wingman" because his marital obligations held him back from crossing the line. Similarly, he probably failed to understand my need to enjoy the lifestyle to which I had become accustomed.
Bottom line: we were two, totally different types of people.
You draw the similarities.
And give me some of that damn Kool-Aid!
Last edited by ReverendRhythm on February 19th at 4:39 PM.
I called Jeter overrated in 2001, and I stand by it. Jeter's a good player, made very good by his surroundings. A-rod was right back then, and he's right now. Jeter has never carried that team, and if you gave me 450 postseason at-bats, I think I'd be pretty comfortable in that situation too. Jeter was fortunate to come onto the Yankees as a rookie, surrounded by All-stars, and not expected to do much. He wasn't a great "clutch" player early in his career, and I think that's overlooked. I mean, the guy's been to the postseason every year of his career. If A-rod had been drafted by the Yankees, don't you think he would have won those rings back in the late 90s? I sure do.
reverend--I'll tell you this...your friend was dead green with envy. I know cause I speak from experience. I applaud him for not crossing the line.
I've been able to get some female attention on occasion, but as a married man myself I've never strayed either. I've wanted to but I never did. The stories my friends would tell me about bagging chicks would drive me nuts. Oh well, that's life.
I got the comparison loud and clear. A-Rod has the numbers but Jeter has La Vida.
Help yourself to the Kool-Aid. I put vodka in mine. It helps me see straighter.
As for being "clutch" in the postseason, I'd argue that A-rod hasn't really been worse than Jeter. It's all about perception.
In 24 career postseason series, Jeter has batted under .250 in 8 of them, or 33 percent. A-rod, by comparison, has batted 250 or better in 5 out of 7, and was killing it until the last two. The difference, of course, is that Jeter has been allowed to stink it up when the Yankees win, but A-rod's failings are highlighted because the Yankees haven't been winning in these years.
But hitting less than .250 in one-third of your postseason series is nothing to hang your hat on, particularly when you have more postseason at-bats than anyone in history.
Lisa--Thanks lisa. I don't imagine you could ever be speechless though. It never surprises me either to learn though that yet another is a Yankees hater.
crookd--I like you man...really I do. But your name ain't the only thing crookd. Your analysis of Jeter's post-season stats are too. Although I give you credit for staying consistent.
1) You can't blame him for always being in the playoff mix. That's like saying Shaq is great cause he's taller and stronger than everyone else. It's not his fault.
2) You look at his playoff "body" of work, not some series where he didn't bat .250.
Jeter's career postseason: .314 average, .384 OBP
Jeter's career regular season: .317 average, .388 OBP
The guy has been as steady and consistent as a rock. Don't hate the player, hate the game homey.
A-Rod's post season--.280 average, .362 OBP
A-Rod's regular season--.305 average, .386 OBP
Hmmmmmmm....seems like someone falls off a bit.
And his good post-seasons were in Seattle. Now in his prime it's been 3 straight clunkers. I still believe in him though.
Josh Q--We got something for you bean eaters. You give me gas.
What you got against Wang. What was he? 3rd in the Cy yOung voting last year? My Korean pitcher + my new Japanese pitcher in Kei Igawa trumps your Dice K. We got the Asian market on lock down. Don't forget Godzilla either.
I can't wait Josh Q. You and I could have some great smack talk battles come the regular season.
riv, its gonna be fun. i cant wait. i'm chomping at the bit. wang was geat last year. you relly think he can keep it up? NY Yankee ace? Who's your #2? You have to be alittle worried about that staff, don't you?
I think you get it. I hate predictions. You never really know.
Here goes:
Wang IS the real deal. He throws one of the hardest sinkers I have ever seen. It's a great pitch. He also throws alot faster with the speedball than people realize.
Mussina is getting old but he can still pitch. He may not throw as hard as he once did but if guys like Maddux and Glavine can still get it done I think he can do too. 15-10 4.00 is fine by me.
Andy Pettite is one of my all time favs. I can only hope and expect that his return to pinstripes will be more like the second of last year than the first.
Kei Igawa: I have no freakin clue.
Carl Pavano--The boy from Southington, CT better have something to prove other than Alyssa Milano stole his nut sack. I think he'll do OK. He's had forever to get healthy.
I'm a homer. Sticking up for my team is what I do. (shhhhh... I am a little nervous but you should be too!)
oh dude, i'm a shameless homer. you're gonna hate me come the season. you may hate me tomorrow. i;m wriying on the a-broad/jeter thing too. i can assure you, i won't be as kind as you. but just know, its all for fun.
nicely done Rivjo...It hasn't been a secret that A-rod is slightly self absorbed with himself. He's a great talent and a future HOF'er. I do give Jeter credit for not responding or getting into a crossfire with him.
Hey Pig. Glad to hear from you. All that "####" talk was starting to bore me.
I'd agree that A-Rod is self-absorbed. In fairness to him it's not like the media is going to leave this particular topic alone. In one way I'm glad he said it. Maybe people will let it go now after they beat it to death over the next couple of days.
I'm very curious to hear Jeter's response to this. I mean he has to say something. I hope he comes clean, fesses up that A-Rod insulted him with those comments in Esquire and drops a good sound byte or too. Chances are though that he will be quick and say the "right" thing himself as usual.
At the very least they can put this topic to rest.
Hey. Enjoy Gary Sheffield this year. I'm curious to see if he loses a lot of homeruns in that huge park in Detroit. Good luck. Hopefully your Cats have a good follow-up season.
A-Rod has never been a friend. I have had good friend that did played baseball and football a little better than me and I have never hated on them one time. The only reason he came to NY is to try to prove he can better lead a team to a World Series win than Jeter...not to go out and play it to win it. A-ROD!! man just stick to being the better over all player and stop trying to be the leader. Shefield has better leadership skills than A-Rod. Jeter has the it factor win it comes to leaading. A-rod is a great talent not a great leader (that's proved by his big mouth and putting down his friends). In Seattle Ken Griffey Jr. was the leader, in Texas (until the last couple of seasons) Juan Gonzales was the leader. Jeter if you can hear me, Tell Steinbrener to trade that playoff flop.
A-Rod need to be with Tampa Bay. Maybe he can lead them. Yeah he won the MVP in 2005 but Shefield's bat was the real difference for that team. Go back and look at the stats. That has always been the Yankees way, everybody does their part. What more can you ask from Jeter. He goes out day in and day out and does his job just like A-Rod. Jeter will do the professional thing and keep his mouth shut and go play ball. Forget the media, your personal friends and thoughts of them are your business. A-Rod won't have all those 50 homerun seasons with the Yanks because the Yanks care more about championships than stats.
Buffalo---Lots of laughs dude. It's all in good fun. The reverend has a wicked sense of humor pairing us New Yorkers against each other. Good luck but you going down.
I don't know if you read the comments but Josh Q. was grilling me about the Yankees pitching staff. The pitching staff of the Mets has more swiss cheese holes in it than all the Reuben sandwiches at delis in NYC.
I love Levy. Evertime he sang that Buffalo Bill pride song it brought a tear to my eye.
Carltoncowboy---If A-Rod was ever a friend he has a hell of a way of showing it. He sure doesn't listen to the little voice in our head that tells us, "maybe I shouldn't say this".
I don't think he came to New York ti show up Jeter though. Remember, he had a deal in place with Boston. In fact he was willing to give back some of his huge salary to get the deal done. The commisioner shot that down though and the Yankees swooped in. I think he actually wanted to SHOW JETER UP by going to Boston. When the Yankees came calling he jumped at it. If you can't beat em join em. He really just wants to win. (I think)
Tampa could be good for A-Rod. He grew up in Miami and the pressure would be less than NY. They got some good players down there. If they put together a staff they could do well. I doubt he would ever go there unless they proved they were on the rise.
Jeter's clutch. He's one of a few guys I'd want up to bat with the game on the line. I watched Paul Molitor play in Toronto and Jeter reminds me of him. Aside from the questionable gold gloves, Jeter deserves a lot of praise.
A-Rod is a big boy and just needs to go out and play hard, forget all the drama. If Jeter can help the situation by stepping in and saying something then he should jump in.
I'm not going to say that the New York media doesn't care about the Yanks winning but if you ask them whether they want to see success or drama from the team for their gossip they would probably take drama. Good post Rivjo, this one clearly was from the gut.
As a Yankee fan I never liked the A-rod. Too much money, too many times he #### his pants in the post season.
I'll be glad to see him go hopefully after this season. Hopefully Chasman (sp?) has learned that signing high priced free agents is a bad idea.
Johnson, Brown, Payrod, I would say Giambi may be one of the few that has lived up to his salary (after he flushed the clear and the cream out of his system)
Dan--I hope Jeter says something worthwhile. How he handles the questions from the media could be interesting. What he chooses or doesn't choose to say will set things in motion for the year.
I expect him to try and brush it all under the carpet in typical Jeter style. Funny how A-Rod is accused of always "trying" to say the right thing and Derek is usually commended for being able to say the right thing. I don't know if it's really the case, but there's a perception that they are kind of ying and yang.
Paul Molitor and Jeter are a good comparison and one I'd totally agree with. Straight up great hitters who you always hated to see come up to bat in a meaningful situation. I always admired Molitor and his 3,000 + hits don't lie.
Miracle--I never disliked A-Rod until the Jeter comments. Then as a Yankees fan it became personal. I always thought he was talented but the Yankees always seemed to handle him pretty well so my biased side called him over-rated. I was later scared when the Sox almost got him and ecstatic when the Yankees did. Once you're "down" with the Yankees I accept you as family.
To be honest I still think/hope he can be successful in NY. Even in his "off" year he still has stats among the best 3rd basemen in the game. However, my patience has grown thin as Nicole Ritchie. If he pulls another post-season clunker and melts under pressure he should go. If that happens he'll probably opt out of the rest of his contract. In that case good riddance but if not it probably means he did well. I'm a forgiving sort so I hope for the latter.
i have 2 roll-dogs. it took a long time for us to realize & accept that we had different skill sets. we were all alpha-dogs, all pack leaders. there was never an outright struggle for control of our lil group, but there were some uncomfortable times. in front of the pack (frat) we'd butt heads and jaw and cuz trouble for all the other beta-wolves. 10 years later, we've grown comfortable in our knowledge of one another. we had to accept that we each bring something to the table. we had to accept that our parts are different, but that we sum up to the same thing. honestly, why cant we all be #1? i acquiesce wen i know youre better at something and you give way when its my shot. A-Rod needs to stop focusing on how he's been wronged and focus on building up that friendship. then he'll start to have fun again. then he'll become a beast.
in my group, i was the point guard - not the boss. my brother is the shooting guard and my other bro is the small forward. i dribble and distribute, my bro scores more than me, and i'm cool with that, and my other buddy scoops up the rebounds and starts the breaks.
Demon--A-Rod needs to stop thinking too much for damn sure. I remember playing baseball all through high school. It is the MOST mental of games. Too much time between action to clear your head. Other sports were just react and play. You play best in baseball when you just relax and have fun. Alex looks like he's friggin' constipated when he plays sometimes. I saw Jeter came back with a response. I'm dying to hear it but I bet it's boring.
Also, I definitely want to get with the new blog site. I've been traveling and using my wife's friends computer. Signing up totally slipped my mind. The email is away though so hit me back and tell me what to do.
A-Rod is a better numbers guy, Jeter is an intangibles guy, plain and simple. If you need 30 and 130 every year, that is A-Rod. You need a crucial at bat in a tight situation, that is A-Rod. The problem with the Yankees isn't A-Rod's problems with Jeter on and off the field, its how the team is put together. Chemistry and the ability to do the small stuff is important. A bunch of hired mercenaries will get you 90 wins a season, but they will continue to fall apart in the playoffs, because nobody trusts each other.
rivjo,
Great stuff man... not much to say here, but one of those Orioles fans out there that loves a little shot taken at the other beasts of the AL East. Well done... Later - KP
I like both players just fine...but Jeter gets the free pass, while A-Rod takes the blame. It's kind of sad...
But it seems like the media forces you to pick one or the other. Why? Doesn't make sense to me. Jeter is a great all-around player. A-Rod is one of the best players in the league. People talk about how poorly he played last year, but in reality...his numbers were still among the league's best. His errors went up...but that isn't indicative of the solid defense he's played throughout his career. And his bat more than makes up for it anyway.
rivjo ....I get the impression A-Rod will say whatever is necessary to engratiate himself with the fans. Be they Yankes' fans or otherwise. Is there nothing that this guy doesn't do that's not scripted ?
The more you hear him speak the more I think of him as being a puppet of his damn agent ! Alex do this ! Alex do that !
It's almost as if he can't think for himself or the fact that his wife who's a clinical psychologist is always helping him out with regard to the supposed stress that he's under. If he'd put more of his talent into playing 'ball' rather than stressing out as to what people think of his damn ####. The Yankees would be in a much better place than they are at the moment. They're always determined as the pre season favorites for the World Series. But yet over the past seven seasons they've failed miserably to prove otherwise as they've faltered at almost every obstacle placed in its way. Is it any wonder that Steinbrenner is loosing it ?
And most certainly the travails of his son-in law doesn't help one bit !
supposed buckles--The guys on the team don't seem to be nearly as close as they should be and not just Jeter and A-Rod. They also don't seem to have as much fun as other teams either. I don't know if it's the media or the perception that Yankees act like professionals, but ultimately it's just a game. Hopefully this year they can all just lighten up and have fun again.
As for trust, I don't know if it's the word I would choose. I think it might be more that on a team of supposed superstars, it could be hard to hold one another accountable.
ksp--If you are an Orioles fan it sure has been tough for awhile. I remember when the Yankees first turned the corner and became good again. It was the Orioles that stood in the way. They had some great teams. I wish they'd rebound and knock Boston down a peg or two.
shooter---You got the whole free pass thing right. Quite honestly I think Jeter and A-Rod carry themselves in a very similar fashion. Sure it seems that Alex pits his foot in his more WAY more but he's always on the defensive. Everything he does is scrutinized because of the contract.
Jeter learned how to handle the pressure first. He had to in N.Y. plus like I said, so many others took pop shots at him from early on. It made him tougher and hungry to prove everyone wrong that called him over-rated. Alex on the other hand was proclaimed perhaps the greatest ever almost immediately. Now when he gets slapped with negativity in the media he is unsure how to handle it.
Oh well. The rules have always been different depending on who you are.
Oh and Congrats you Hall of Famer! Bloggerstown USA awaits your acceptance speech.
rampant--My good friend and king of all Yankees haters. Take a sip of the Kool Aid please! Sorry but as a fan I must disagree with you on several counts.
1) Most people try to say the right thing. I think Jeter is rather scripted too. The perception with A-Rod has gone on so long that many don't believe him to ever be sincere. Sometimes he has to be telling the truth.
2) As for talking about the Jeter thing, how many times does Alex have to be asked the same question? It's not like he just brought it up. He was asked yet again. I give him credit for being honest and hopefully putting this to rest.
3) If failing miserably is making the playoffs and/or World Series every year since 1995, then what is the definition of success? Yes their payroll is the highest but there's alot of other great teams in the sport as well. It's a tough crowd that says winning your divison is a bad season.
I hear you though. That's the perception many have about the Yankees and to most perception is everything.
Both guys are women, plain and simple. One guy just has a better public relations system intact, and he comes through when it counts.
Jeter has just as much of an ego as A-Rod does (understandably so - they're both loved by women, make megabucks and have always been told they're the best.)
When A-Rod's money talk came up, Steinbrenner came out and told the NY Press that no Yankee would make more money than Jeter. In the following weeks, Jeter appeared in a million commercials. Then out came a story about how Jeter is the highest paid player in the game (including endorsements).
Jeter is just smarter. He doesn't do anything to sabotage his image. He plays hard, and most importantly, comes through when the game is on the line. Mix in the Yankees titles, and Jeter has kind of coasted on this magic carpet. Not to take anything away from him (it's hard NOT to like him) but there's far more to him than meets the eye.
A-Rod on the other hand just goes about everything the wrong way. Is he a bad guy? Probably not. Should we root against him? What for? He's just a bit lost. I bet you in twenty years he'll come out talking about how he didn't know any better during his playing days. He's immature.
Both players are like Britney Spears and Paris Hilton.
Another thing... A-Rod's presence on that team does WONDERS for Derek Jeter. There is ZERO pressure on Jeter.
When people should be crucifying Giambi and Sheffield, and or talking about Rivera's demise, or Mussina's love for molesting kids, they're instead talking about A-Rod. It's the A-Rod show 24-7.
Jeter has been protected since day one. Had he been the solo star on his team (like Miguel Tejada), the media scrutiny would have surely gotten to him at some point.
Train--Hey great comment(s). I have to admit I agree with almost everything, although calling them women is a bit odd. I don't know who should be more insulted. Them or females?
The only other things I would question that you wrote is 1) the demise of Rivera and 2)Mussina and children. As far as I know Rivera has not shown any demise. Maybe he does so this year but it hasn't happened yet.
As for Mussina, I have no idea what the heck you are talking about. If you come back to check my response, please enlighten me. Something about that makes no sense to me seeing how he seems to be a "proper" guy to say the least.
Riv - I was joking about Mussina molesting kids. Everyone in baseball knows Mussina is kind of an odd guy who keeps to himself. He's from Pennsylvania AKA the land of the odd people. I was joking. To my knowledge, he has doing anything creepy except give batters creepy looks from the mound.
As for Rivera, he's been in decline since the Wold Series against the Diamondbacks. He's still an elite closer, but compared to what he used to be, it's like night and day. He used to be a machine. He is the greatest closer than ever existed. If the Yanks went into the last four or five outs of the game and brought him in, 99.9 percent of the time that game was over.
Now, he's very much human. He can be beat.
He's still good though. But there are better closers out there nowadays.
rivjo ... I understand where you're coming from on this one ! And besides I don't begrudge the Yankees their success. It's well deserved but let's not hear that's all being done with homegrown talent. That's not been the case for several years. And it's liable to be that way for years to come. The one thing however I do see from both of these players is that they're being sincere when they say that although they have friendship of sorts it's not as everyone had expected it to be.
That being said all they're being asked to do is co-exzist besides one another and to go out and garner some success for the franchise.
That one hopes isn't too difficult for these two ?
As I doubt that they'd let their egos get in the way of team success.
Check out my post entitled Don't Drive Drunk Just Drive Stupid !
It's about Steinbrenner's son-in-law and his brush with the local law enforcement down here in the bay area. It's written under my rampantfanatic guise.
As the "Great Santini" said "I think it's the purple lipstick".
Back in highschool I played second base. Could hit anything. But no power. Hit over .500 every year of high school without a home run. Senior year along comes a transfer, hit home runs, hit about .350, 4 inches taller than me, good looking, smooth talking and all of a sudden I'm moved to third base because this smooth talker couldn't play anything but second and he couldn't field for ####. This sound familar?
Last edited by DustyOutlaw on February 21st at 6:00 PM.
DustyOutlaw ...... Remember though A-Rod is getting paid ! Other than that if he doesn't shape up this season he'll end up being shipped out by the trade dealine. As it is the Yankees can't keep on paying the money that they're now doing and with him not producing when it matters !
It's financial suicide on their path from start to finish.
Rampant--Yes the Yankees sign a lot of free agents, but they do have some home grown talent. It goes without say that Jeter, Posada amd Rivera came up through the minor leagues. However, they also have Chien Ming Wang, Robinson Cano, Melky Cabrera, and Pettite once again. Sure they paid Andy a boatload of cash to come back, but he never should have left in the first place. I hope both sides realized the error of their ways. Eventually Philip Hughes should also enter the rotation.
It may not be fair but the structure of baseball allows them to use their vast resources unevenly compared to the Kansas City Royals of the league.
Dusty--I think A-Rod has always done what's best for the team ever since he came to NY. He gladly went over to third despite stats that indicated he was the better SS. He openly said this was Derek's team and he just wanted to win.
Hell, Gary Sheffield (now a Tiger) is complaining that Torre sat him because of his bum wrist in the playoffs last year. At least he has an injury for an excuse. A-Rod got dropped to 8th and handled it like a man. How humilitating was that? You think Sheffield would have bit his tongue?
I feel for Alex. Yes he has put his foot in his mouth but when he does it's news. Jeter does far has not but his ego is every bit as big as Alex's if not bigger. And you know what? There's nothing wrong with either of them for that.
Oh, well. The world has always played favorites. Even parents do so with their own kids.
I wish Alex would just come thru in the clutch. Then people would get off his back. I like them both.
I'm a special ed teacher by trade. Funny, I spend my day wanting to say shut-up to people and then do the same here. Just can't seem to. That would be rude and most uncivilized.
I like to write and never met a thought I couldn't continue. My blogs, like this bio, tend to be far too long. I can admit it. If you make it to the end of one of my "essays" there's usually a message that could have been written in half the time by a better writer than me.
Did I mention I was a finalist in NGS II? No really I was, further proving that theyll let anyone in this place. I came in 10th, which is better than 16th I guess. Other than winning the 4th grade graduation writing award it was the biggest literary accomplishmen t of my life. I still haven't gotten used to being famous.
Alex Rodriguez has come forward as the first to admit that his relationship with Derek Jeter isn’t what it once was (Like that was a big secret). He claims that he and his former best friend still have the utmost respect for each other and that they root for one another to do well. The ultimate goal is to win a World Series in New York after all. Is this just more “Say the right thing”, coming out of Yankees Land, or is this a step towards healing wounds and relocating the chemistry that was a trademark of the championship teams? We’ll see, but I’m actually more concerned with other things that have annoyed me for a long time. 
were the only ones who seemed outraged. Many others around the country would only admit that A-Rod’s comments came across as a bit crass, especially considering their highly publicized friendship. However, most of these same people claimed Rodriguez was right. As a lifelong Yankees follower and fan of Derek Jeter, it absolutely kills me to hear the hypocrites at work in 2007.
Back at the time of those comments, all you would ever hear about Jeter was how he was the most overrated player in baseball. Insults flew down from Boston about how Nomar Garciaparra put Derek to shame. They even coined that annoying, "Nomar's Better!!!" chant. We also heard that "Derek couldn't sniff A-Rod’s jock" and that "Miguel Tejada was superior in every category too". As with all things Yankees, a steady diet of criticism was directed at Jeter regarding his play.
start lauding kudos on Derek now because it's an easy way to further vilify Rodriguez. Back in 2001 he was "all hype" because of the New York media and East Coast bias. Now in 2007 he’s Mr. Clutch, an All-American hero, class act all the way, the face of the Yankees, the ultimate gamer etc..., etc…, etc… The problem is, he was all of these exact things back then too. You just wouldn’t give him credit for it. Now with Rodriguez to dump on, praising Jeter is an easy way to promote your agendas.
