Jeter: Overrated

One of my favorite sites to check out everyday is popandsports.com. One of their most recent entries deals with Derek “The Captain” Jeter. Apparently, someone on the planet claimed that he was overrated and the blog’s authors don’t like it.

Now, I hate Derek Jeter. You all know this. So, I must comment. Just for giggles let’s compare his numbers with Michal “The Unheralded” Young of the Texas Rangers. Both play short and both are about the same age. Over the last three seasons, here’s how these guys stack up in terms of OPS:

The Captain

2005 – .839
2004 – .823
2003 – .843

The Unheralded

2005 – .898
2004 – .836
2003 – .785

Both are pretty good. As of late, you have to give an advantage to Michael Young. Now, here’s some even more impressive numbers:

The Captain’s Salary – $20,000,000
Unheralded’s Salary – $3,075,000

I’m no stat geek or anything. But one of those numbers is exceptionally higher than the other. With the amount of money that you save with Young, King George would be able to overpay Jaret Wright, Kyle Farnsworth, AND Ron Villone. This may look real bleak for the Captain, but fret not Yankee Fan. The Captain does blow Young away in several statistical categories.

The Captain

GFP (Gratuitous Fist Pumps) – 947.5
UDIS (Unnecessary Dives Into the Stands) – 37
TANG (Intangibles) – 453.68

The Unheralded

GFP – 13
UDIS – 0
TANG – 107

Obviously, these stats show a huge advantage for Derelique. Out of a possible score of 453.72, Jeter has a magnificent 453.68 (second only to David Eckstein and Scott Podsednik). Michael Young falls woefully short in this column with a below-league average 107 (comparables include David Wells, Chistian Guzman, and Nick Punto).