Trust me, it pains me to say this.
I wish I (not pictured) could pretend it wasn't happening.
I have enjoyed every single game I've watched him play since he came up to the bigs.
But Derek Jeter has been awful this year.
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Obviously, with DJ it isn't a matter of effort.
One of the traits I love most about Jeter is that he goes 100% at all times.
You never see him not hustling.
That said, the results have been atrocious this year.
I can't tell you how many times I've been driving in my car, and listened to John Stirling try to apologize away another double-play hit into by 'el capitain.'
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Let's look at his numbers.
Right now, we're in September, so this is an honest sample size.
He's hitting .266.
That's pathetic.
He's over .300 as a lifetime hitter, has over 2,500 career hits.
On-base percentage: .322.
That's TERRIBLE for a lead-off guy.
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Leads me to 2 questions: 1. What Happened? 2. What do the Yankees do about him in the future?
The answer to number 1 could be, he got old.
He's 36.
Watch him run to first.
He's clearly lost a step.
That's natural.
But you can still be successful in baseball a step slower.
I'm hopeful that he's just having a bad year.
It happens, even to the best.
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The next question is about Derek's future.
His contract runs out at the end of the year.
Could the Yankees possibly ever let him go?
I highly doubt it.
Tell me an athlete who has engendered more goodwill in a town than Jeter in NY?
Doesn't exist.
But, as a Yankees fan you have to wonder, how long should that contract be?
If he looks a step slow now, what's he going to look like in five years?
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Ah, but there's hope.
That's because it's only early September.
The Yankees are 2.5 games ahead of the Rays for first place.
They will be playing in the Playoffs.
A good post-season, and Jeter can wash away the memories of this dreadful season.
Jeter just needs to remind everyone that he's greatest when the stakes are highest.
I just hope he still has it.
For the first time in his career, I'm not so sure.
