Major League Baseball News
Was Derek Jeter robbed?
By Chris Ruddick Nov 22, 2006, 17:00 GMT
- There is a lot of talk around the country today on whether or not New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter got robbed in the American League Most Valuable Player voting.
Do I think Jeter should have won? Yeah, probably, but I am totally biased as a lifelong Yankees fan. Looking at Justin Morneau's numbers, though, you can't argue with the voters giving him the edge.
I don't get to see Morneau everyday, but was he any more important to the Twins than Joe Mauer or Cy Young winner Johan Santana? If he was so vital to their success, then how come the other two finished in the top-10 in voting?
If you check out some of the Twins' fan message boards, even they are shocked that Morneau won the award. According to most of them, if any Minnesota player deserved the MVP it was Mauer, who led the league in both batting average and on-base percentage, while playing a far more demanding position at catcher.
Morneau was hitting only .236 with 11 homers and 38 RBI in early June, when the Twins were eight games below .500 at 25-33. He went on a tear from there, the Twins took off, and obviously he got a lot of credit for the teams' turnaround.
But what else happened in Minnesota around that time? Santana started pitching like a Cy Young winner and Francisco Liriano was moved into the starting rotation. So was it all Morneau, or was it a combination of a lot of things that led to Minnesota's success?
There is no doubt in my mind that Jeter was the most important player on the Yankees this season. I know the big argument against Jeter is that he plays with a bunch of superstars, but the Twins had three players who all could have made MVP cases. What player on the Yankees, other than Jeter, could make that argument this season?
Let me put it this way. If you switched out Morneau for another first baseman who hit .300/30/100 (say Paul Konerko) and another shortstop for the Yankees who hit .300/10/100 for Jeter, would the Yankees still be as good as they are? You may have had a case in recent years, but last season there is no doubt in my mind the Yankees would not have been as good without Jeter.
Even with all those superstars, who is the one guy in that lineup you don't want to see with the game on the line? If you are an opposing pitcher, do you want to face Alex Rodriguez or Jeter with the bases loaded in the ninth?
I know there is no stat for intangibles, but they are what separates Jeter from the rest. I guess you have to watch him play day in and day out to fully appreciate what he brings to the table. Does Morneau do those little things? If anyone on that team can make the intangible argument, it is Mauer.
However, Morneau edging Jeter out is not the worst thing that has ever happened. You can probably argue that Albert Pujols had a better case at winning over Ryan Howard than Jeter had in beating Morneau. But that is neither here nor there.
The big problem I have with all this is the fact that Chicago Sun Times writer Joe Cowley voted Jeter sixth on his ballot.
Sixth?
Ok, I understand why people would not choose him first or even second. But sixth? I don't care how much you dislike New York or the Yankees, you cannot say that Jeter was the sixth-most valuable player in the American League this season. That's ridiculous.
This isn't the first time that Cowley has been at the center of an MVP controversy, either. While working for the Daily Southtown in 2003, Cowley left Carlos Delgado and Vernon Wells off his ballot altogether. Delgado finished second that year to Rodriguez after hitting .302 with 42 homers and a league-leading 145 RBI. Cowley also voted Rodriguez fifth that season.
Cowley was suspended the following year from voting by Chicago chapter chairman Paul Sullivan, who felt he did not take the voting seriously and 'embarrassed' the Chicago chapter.
In a year that his Yankees were bounced in the first round of the playoffs, I am sure Jeter could care less about winning something that rewards one person rather than the whole team.
Even if he had won, I am sure Jeter would have traded an MVP award for another World Series title. Plus MVP awards lately are for guys that don't win rings anyway. Don't believe me? Take a look at some of the recent winners in both leagues and count how many World Series titles they have between them.
So while Morneau and Howard polish up their trophies this Christmas season, Jeter can shine his four world series rings. And oh by the way, Jessica Biel will be by his side when he is doing it.
So you tell me, who is the real winner here?
© 2006 The Sports Network
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Older Talkback
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Nice with the Jessica Biel bit at the end. If that's all that really matters, then why bother wasting my time with the foregoing lame argument against Morneau? Typical New York-centric viewpoint, as usual.
The argument is that Jeter plays in a lineup of all-stars every day.
Morneau does not.
Why is the MVP only reserved for a Yankee? Seems everytime that someone from another team wins the award there is lots of crying & second guessing the voters.
Jeter got more than he deserved with the Gold Glove, let it drop & quit whinning.
Hmmm, interesting abt the reporter who put Jeter on sixth. Nice mud slinging at him for putting the 'valuable' Jeter at sixth. To your question, would the Yankees made to the playoffs with Jeter, well yeah, he was a one amongst the 'superstars' in the yankee lineup. And maybe Chin-ming wang(or whatever his name is) should have won instead of him. And back to the Chicago writer, brings me back to a NY writer a few years back who didn't vote for Pedro during his sensational season a few years back in Boston saying pitchers are not MVP eligible, when infact he DID vote for pitchers in years before.
New York, wake up to the fact, the world series and MVP is not only for New Yorkers. And tip your hat when some more worthy than you overpaid superstars win, like a gentleman.
Dollar for dollar(salaries) who was better?! Interesting that the Twinkees (as White Sox fans call them) had 3 of the top 7 candidates. Year after year, the Twins develop or discover incredable talent.
Interesting that,unlike the Gothamites, no one ever wants to leave the Twins.
(none of which is meant to detract from Jeter's talent).
Someone's sour EH?
I would like to clarify your statement that Minnesotans are 'surprised that Morneau won'.
Yes, we are surprised...but not that he won - that Jeter didn't automatically get handed the award because he is a Yankee.
We are suprised because we are used to getting the East Coast shaft: If we are in the playoffs the Yankees are always going to get the primetime games - because the Yankees are oh-so-much-more-important than anyone else's games. Liriano only gets front page press because he kicked Clemens' ex-Yankee ass. etc, etc, ad nauseum.
Yes, we are surprised. Surprised people can take the 'Yankees goggles' off long enough give talent the recognition it deserves. ...and I thank the BBWAA for that.
Jeter doesn't even deserve the designation of 'Captain' on that team, much less the league MVP. Here is a guy who supposedly is the Captain of the Yankees and when did he stand up for A-Rod during his year-long bashings? No, he says it's not his position to say anything, even though if he would have, some of the A-Rod bashings would have diminished and his play would have probably improved (thereby helping the Yankees). Or did he act like the 'Captain' when he came to the defense of Torre to help him keep his job? Oh, wait, he didn't do that either, which everyone knows that if Jeter went to the Boss there would have been no question about Torre coming back. But Jeter should be the 'Captain' of MVPs not just the MVP! Yeah, right!
The reasons Twins fan didnt think Morneau would get the award is becasue all you heard about was how much it was Jeter's award. ESPN and many news outlets hailed him MVP before it was even awarded. New yorkers were the ones talking and listening...both to themselves. All in all they are both great players but obviously mornea is the mvp.
As for the .300/30/100 swap...jeter could be replaced with anyone. His nubers did not even match that! Morneau on the other hand blew those out the dome. In that regard, i think your argument is far far off (point to mornea).
One thing I wish ESPN and other outlets would talk about is the salary difference. 20,600,000 vs 385,000. That is a joke! Doller per rbi/hr/anything morneau smokes jeter. Its not even a comparison. Did this factor into voteing? I sure hope so...
Either way...new york yankees fans should learn from their mvp and lose graciously. He knew he was beat congratulated morneau. A real class act...unlike all you whiners complaining...
one love
Why are New Yorkers, specifically Yankee fans, such whiners? The franchise has already bought more World Series titles than most Yankee fans can count. Derek Jeter has already won more accolades, titles and awards than Lance Armstrong. Jeter cheated? Give me a break!
As a lifelong Yankees hater, I must confess that I...this comes hard...I would have voted Jeter first. I wouldn't have liked it, but that's what I would have done.
That said, I don't think he was robbed. By that, I mean that there's a legitimate case to be made for Morneau--I am just not quite persuaded by it for the reasons that you outlined in your commentary.
Yankee enmity notwithstanding, Jeter's been the MVP for them pretty much ever since he walked in the door. I don't think it's coincidental that the Yankee run of excellence over the past decade coincides with his arrival (and Torre's, of course).
Jeter had a great season, and he carried a team that would otherwise have been left in the dust.
And Cowley shouldn't be allowed to vote in anything. I could easily defend him putting Jeter at second, maybe even third. Placing him sixth was an abuse of power that should not be tolerated.
My new hero is the Sun Times writer that voted Jeter 6th. Anything to keep anyone from the Evil Empire from winning anything.
Jeter is a great player, and not close to MVP this year. He was a sentimental favourite at best. The sixth place vote was closer to reality. You really need to watch everyone, not just the Yankees.
Yo dude!
I am sure Jeter could care less about winning something that rewards one person rather than the whole team.
Don't you mean: I am sure Jeter COULDN'T care less about winning something that rewards one person rather than the whole team.
Jeter is the most over-rated athlete in the world.
May I read out the Yankees batting order.
Damon
Jeter
Abreu
Giambi
A-Rod
Matsui
Sheff
Posada
Cano
There's no wonder he had 97 RBIs every time he got to bat someone was on. He scored 110 runs because everytime he got on base the best players in the world knocked him in. Not to mention all the lovely pithces he seen when pitchers would rather see him get a single and not a homer by the power hitters.
Sure Vince Carter and others have been hyped before, but Jeter has had continuous mediocre seasons and been given god status. He won a 3rd undeserved Gold Glove, isn't that enough New York?
He scored 20 points higher than Morneau, big deal, Jose Reyes across New York is a far better OVERALL Shortstop anyway, good defensivly, got power and hits for average.
Jeter is a good hitter for average, no power, and is below average defensively despite the Gold Gloves.
New Yorkers talk about him being robbed cause he's from New York, he won a Gold Glove and Hank Aaron award because he's from New York.
lets face it as a yankee fan I would have like to see Jeter win
but i realize its not a stretch for justin to win.
What I cant understand is the writer from chicago voting him 5th
waht the heck is he smoking????????????
are you guys serious mr clutch??? he was robbed and the guy from chicago is crazy
5th place come on
If it wasn't for nothing short of informercials by ESPN commentators during the last regular season Yankee games to prop up Jeter, I would've been shocked that he was even voted 2nd in the MVP.
Look at his numbers! Is he good? yes. Is he overrated? by far.
all I will say is this year the yankees had the red sox #
regardless of whether jeter won the mvp is crowley's vote to place him in sixth place. next time you hear those idiot talking heads on espn spewing about computer football rankings and how writers should decide who wins the national championship, think of crowley. if sportscasters are complete morons, then sportswriters are their drunken fathers. thank you crowley for helping make clear a championship question, computers or sportswriters. i vote computers!
You start off the article by saying your a NY Yankees fan.
Then you talk like one and defend Jeter like one making your whole article
dumb and pointless and biased.
It's a waste of an article. After I read that you were bias , I skimmed through your whining and wnated to thank you for saving me time .
I like to read articles that are fair and not trying to throw 'Oh , by the way, he has 4 rings and good looking girl' as some sort of cheap shot.
You have a lot of growing to do as a columnist obviously.
I don't care for either Minnesota or NY , but I don't like wasting my time on stupid bias opinions.
I can see Mauer , Ortiz , even Dye making a case above Jeter. But you want to act like it's the crime of the century ? That he got robbed ? Are you kidding me?
Bias opinions are what makes sports so ridiculous these days.
And you'll go on your merry way infecting other people who don't care with your
bias opinion. You think you're doing the world and your sports team a favor.
But you're not.
But you're to blind to see that.
Jeter is a great player.
However, Morneau and Mauer should have been CO MVPs of AL.
It is unbelievable that these two young impact
talents on both offense and defense are on the
same Twins team(and I am not a Twins fan).
I am also very impressed with David Wright
and Jose Reyes of The Mets (and I am not a Mets fan).
I just appreciate great players.
If I was building a team from scratch
I would like to have all four of these 4 guys on my team.
You said it yourself Chris, you are a life long Yankee Fan. I agree Derek had a good year but look at when Morneau had his turn around, Mauer was not hitting very well and Santana only pitched every fifth day. The fact the other two got made the top 10 is they had good years but look at all the protection that Jeter gets in the lineup. Even if the other guys are having a down year you still have to repect them and have to pitch to Jeter. Morneau made Cuddyler and Hunter better.
Good Grief. Justin Morneau didn't even have a few hours to feel good about this awesome award. Not even one day in the sunshine. Nobody is happy for anyone for winning anything. There are too many Monday morning quarterbacks. Everything is analyzed to the point where nobody wins anything.
I would have thought that it would be nearly impossible for NY fans (of most stripes) to increase -- any more than it is -- their well-earned reputation for being poor losers, and gloating, boastful winners. Was I wrong, or was I wrong!
If you want to attempt even a tincture of objectivity in this question, examine the entire 2006 Yankees season & count the number of times that Derek Jeter drove in a winning run or scored a winning run. Then, compare that statistic with the same 2006 statistic for Morneau. Oh gosh, Jeter is responsible for 14 fewer wins! Perhaps all of those who voted for Morneau are not as ignorant & benighted as you first thought!
Quit whining. If he wasn't a Yankee he would of ended up with as many votes as Miguel Tejada . I wish that the city that never sleeps would, because it's very anoying that you whine 24/7 anytime the Yankees don't get their way.
yankee fan for fifty two years and no body
deserved the AL MVP more than Jeter, old school,
works, hussels, and has performed for years as
a person that you would love to see as a role
model for kids --- my only wish to see the voting
results per vote to show people how many ( lack of
knowledge ) voters we have, all repects too the
winner , but even he knows it was a terrible mistake.
all fans please join together to stop drugs in Baseball
no matter what anyone says in the USA baseball is and should
continue to be our national pastime, and i believe that
kids that are playing sports are not better kids but
better off for it.
Why does Jetter having 4 rings have anything to do with the 2006 MVP? Many would argue that Jetter is good, but having 4 rings has nothing to do with performance on the field last year, in fact it only highlights that they can't get it done even with a very good player like Jetter. I would give him an A for effort but he is not the only guy that plays hard. Let's see what he does when he straps on the spikes in 07
Morneau had 20 more homers and 33 more RBIs than Jeter and his .559 slugging percentage dwarfed Jeter's .483. Quit whining New Yorker's. Mornneau was better! Final
all the people arguing against Jeter for MVP are bringing up strictly numbers. can u guys, for one second, look beyond stats? stats are not the end all, be all, way to measure someone's effect on a team. there are plenty of examples of players who put up big stats but are not MVP caliber players.. case in point, A-Rod.
what jeter does for the Yankees doesn't necessarily show up on stat sheets. he is the glue that held the Yankees together this year. he was by far the last guy on that dangerous lineup that the opposing pitcher would want to see in a important situation. without him, they definitely wouldn't have made the playoffs. u couldn't figure that out just by looking at the mans numbers.
that being said, he wasn't robbed of the MVP... but it wouldn't have been unjust or biased if he has won.
Derek Jeter shouldn't of even been the MVP on the Yankees. People just seem to take A-Rods numbers for granted. The talk about Jeter playing well early but it wasn't until A-Rod started to roll that the Yankees started to pull away. Jeter is a great player but he is not the MVP in the league or even off his team.
Just because Jeter plays with 'super-stars' doesn't mean anything. Matsui and Sheffield were out basically all season, Jason Giambi didn't do that great for a while...and Robby Cano was out for a while. A-Rod, statistically had an okay season, but overall wasn't that great. Jeter took that team on his shoulders and led them back into first place and into the playoffs. Plus, he was one of the only Yankees that showed up in the series against Detriot. People just don't like to vote for him because he's not a power hitter. Big deal, he's a short-stop, just like in the old days...SS weren't power hitters. And he's a number 2 hitter, he's not going to have that many RBIs. Ichiro won his MVP because of his awesome work in the field and his number of hits. Which I must add he had 214, and the second highest average in the American League and 3rd overall in both leagues. Jeter was there ALL season, Morneau showed up at the end. Jeter carried the team the entire season on the field and in the batter's box. So to say that Jeter doesn't deserve it just because he plays on a team full of all-stars is ignorant.
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NoMeGustaNYCBeisbolNov 22nd, 2006 - 17:40:27
Yeah yeah yeah, go on whining and moaning about Jeter, the only baseball player fruity enough to have his own frangrance... maybe you can take comfort in the fact that he SOMEHOW got (stole??) the gold glove for shortstop when Alex Gonzalez committed half as many errors. Amazingly, no one on the team (*cough* RED SOX *cough*) that set the MLB record for most consecutive games without an error got a gold glove. Can anyone say ripoff???
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