Jeter's all-around game just better

By Jerry Crasnick

ESPN.com

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The memories that Derek Jeter and Cal Ripken Jr. elicit are a testament to their enduring greatness. Hear Ripken's name and you think of Baltimore's favorite son sprinting to his position before each inning, or testing out yet another batting stance, or circling the Camden Yards outfield to bond with fans the night of consecutive game No. 2,131.

The Jeter images are just as vivid, if not more so. He's hitting the climactic homer in the Jeffrey Maier game (Game 1 of the 1996 American League Championship Series), making that improbable flip to nab Jeremy Giambi at the plate (Game 3 of the 2001 AL Division Series) or diving into the stands to catch a Trot Nixon pop fly and emerging with a bloody face (July 1, 2004). The cherry on top came July 9, 2011, when Jeter ended the suspense and went deep against David Price at Yankee Stadium for his 3,000th career hit. The timing was impeccable.

In the end, I'm taking Jeter because of his all-around game. Dozens of scouts who have watched him for two decades consider him the standard against which baserunners are measured. The ability to go from first to third on a single or score from first on a double has been a constant and vital element to his game. Jeter also brings a speed element that Ripken lacked. He has 13 seasons with 100 or more runs scored to Ripken's three; he leads Cal in stolen bases 348-36.

But Ripken beats Jeter for power, right? Well it's not quite that simple. Jeter has a career slash line of .313/.382/.448 to Ripken's .276/.340/.447, so he was clearly the better, more consistent all-around hitter. Ripken has outhomered the Captain 431 to 255, but Jeter leads by a fraction in slugging percentage. He also tops Cal in both OPS (.829 to .788) and OPS-plus (117 to 112).

Yes, Ripken has two career Most Valuable Player awards to none for Jeter. But Jeter has eight career top-10 MVP finishes to Ripken's three. And although Gold Gloves aren't the most accurate barometer of defensive prowess, Jeter has collected five to Ripken's two.

Finally, I'm taking Jeter because of his October portfolio, which includes 200 career postseason hits, an .838 OPS and five championship rings. He has performed on the biggest stage in New York, amid unrelenting scrutiny, with nary a misstep on or off the field. And despite suffering that horrific ankle injury in the ALCS in October, the Captain isn't through yet. Not by a long shot.