Derek Jeter: Shame on You, Captain

For the last 16 seasons, Derek Jeter has been the everyday shortstop for the New York Yankees. He's known simply as The Captain.  Captain of The Evil Empire. 

It's a well known fact, whether deserved or not, the Yankees are an organization that elicits quite a range of emotions from just about everyone.  You either love them or hate them, that's how it goes.  Coincidentally, I think that they are aware and completely fine with that fact.

Regardless, I've always fallen into the "hate" category.  I respect what they've accomplished over the years.  They are arguably the greatest professional sports organization in the United States and have been for a long, long time.

However, I've always had a special dislike for the Yankees.  They spend money like they're printing it and more often than not, they're spending it wisely.  For a long time they've been the big bully on the block who is constantly pushing around the smaller kids.  I  think that mentality is what drives many people's hatred of the Yankees. 

Their roster of both former and current Yankees reads like a who's who of baseball icons.  Granted, I haven't been around to witness them all, but I've seen my fair share of stars.  It's been a long, long time since the Yankees have had a star as bright as The Captain. 

As I said earlier, there is very little in between in terms of one's emotions concerning the Yanks; it's either disdain or infatuation. For me, at least, the in between for the last 15 years has been one player.  Derek Jeter.  I've always held Jeter in the highest regard.

Jeter's always played the game hard and with the utmost respect.  He is a ball player's ball player.  He's obviously been incredibly successful and is in my estimation a Hall-of-Famer, and a first ballot entrant at that. 

When I read that Jeter, despite being in the midst of the worst offensive season of his career, was skipping not just participating in the All-Star game, but wasn't even going to make the trip to Phoenix, even though he was given the honor and privilege of being voted in and named a starter by the fans, I was incensed. 

I get that the Major League season is grueling and difficult.  I get that Jeter spent time shelved with a calf injury—a calf injury that may not even be 100 percent healed. I get that with the lead-up to 3,000 Jeter probably had a little more on his mind than he normally does.  I get that Jeter's tired.  I'd venture to say that most of tonight's participants are a little worn and that most of them, given the prospect of a three or four day break without missing any regular season games, would jump at the chance.  However, they will be there tonight and Jeter won't be. 

I view it as a slap in the face to the fans who voted for him.  To the fans who have faithfully cheered him in the Bronx and elsewhere.  To the rest of his peers that he's snubbed by not showing.  It would've been a chance for Jeter to celebrate with MLB and fans of the game. 

I can fully say that in this instance, Jeter made the wrong decision.  He should've gone to Phoenix;  smiled and tipped his cap for the fans and the cameras. He should have relished his most recent accomplishment and enjoyed the experience.

Instead he's angered more than a few people with his blatant disregard for the fan's wishes.  In one misguided decision, Jeter completely changes his image, if only in my eyes.  He goes from vaunted leader, who has been recognized as the epitome of class, to just another self-serving self-involved athlete.  I for one, am quite disappointed in his actions. 

Given his ever-diminishing skills on the diamond and some of the young shortstops in the A.L., this could be, although probably not, Jeter's last invitation to the Mid-Summer Classic. 

I'll even go so far as to say that for one game, Jhonny Peralta makes the America League squad just a little bit better than it was before The Captain decided to sit this one out.