Before I begin, let me first preface this article with a few comments. I do not question the career of Derek Jeter or any of the feats that he has accomplished. He has played twenty productive, extremely successful seasons all with one team. He has set numerous postseason records and has enough World Series rings to fit every finger on the hand that does not hold that Gold Glove caliber glove.

I write instead to critique the extraordinary treatment that he has been given as this era in Yankees baseball comes to an end. Derek Jeter is currently in his final tour of baseball and at each stop he seems to be greeted as a conquering hero receiving priceless gifts and send offs at each stadium he visits but is this special treatment justified?

First, Jeter played his entire career in New York City, the city that never sleeps, and this perhaps more than anything else has elevated him to this transcendent status. The Yankees are famed for having an influx of fans when they play well (which is quite often) and the city is the biggest baseball market in America.

Second, as I previously mentioned, Jeter’s stats are, of course, outstanding. In just over 2,700 career games, he has 3,428 hits (good enough for seventh on the all-time hits list) with a career .311/.379/.442. He has also played in 14 All-Star Games and holds many team regular season records. I could go on, but needless to say, he’s a stellar athlete.

But these stats themselves cannot justify this treatment. While there is something to be said of longevity being a crucial item to look at, it also serves as a counterbalance of sorts. Yes, Jeter holds the many postseason records, but that is no surprise when you realize that he has played in an astonishing 18 postseasons spanning 158 games (both records). Not to detract from his legacy, but it is hard to overlook the fact that this postseason volume is due, in large part, to a talent loaded Yankees lineup that has featured a payroll at the top of baseball in almost every season he has played. It is hard for him not to have set those records.

Furthermore, his regular season stats are comparable to other players who retired during his lifetime. For instance, examine Cal Ripken Jr.

Player Years GP H R RBI HR SO BA WAR Derek Jeter 20 2702 3428 1913 1291 259 1816 .311 72.6 Cal Ripken Jr. 21 3001 3184 1647 1695 431 1305 .276 95. 5

*Highest among the two is highlighted in bold

**Stats courtesy of BaseballReference.com

Ripken clearly stands out in several categories, particularly WAR, and is arguably the best shortstop of all time. Ripken did receive fond farewells as he left baseball. Back in 2001, Bill Simmons, then with Page 2 at ESPN, wrote an article (http://proxy.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?id=1256352) detailing why the greatest shortstop in baseball history didn’t deserve that treatment so how do you justify it for the second or third best shortstop in Jeter’s case? There are also a host of pitchers who stood out statistically from Randy Johnson to Greg Maddux to Roy Halladay. None of these players have received anything close to this sort of goodbye.

One player has in recent years and that is the Sandman himself, Mariano Rivera, a player (and a fellow Yankee) who defines the position he played more than anyone else. He was a titan among titans and one of, in my and many others’ opinions the, best closers of all time but did he even deserve his special treatment? I would probably argue he deserves more credit than Jeter but it was still over the top.

Third, off the field, Jeter does his fair share of charitable acts but, again, this is no different from most paid athletes in any sport. Even the surly, oft criticized Albert Belle dished out millions to charity.

My next question is what did he do for these cities that are lavishing these gifts upon him? The answer is nothing directly with the exception of possibly helping those stadiums sell a few more seas. Did he rejuvenate the poor areas of those cities? Did he open youth centers? Did he play key roles in why those teams had success at varying points? The answers are no. He was a competitive athlete and strong opponent but not an icon of those franchises. But I have to ask the obvious: why would Chicago or Detroit, or Oakland gift him with anything more than a respectful ovation?

Finally, let’s look at the media. Perhaps, more than anyone else, it is their fault that this treatment has occurred. It has blinded the baseball world into thinking it owes him this. Former Presidents come out to greet him. I, myself, am guilty of buying into this hype to a degree. For 19 years I cursed his and every Yankees name but I find myself looking back as if he was a cherished member of my own team at times. How can you help yourself when every week you are subjected to a new piece on why Jeter should be revered?

Is Jeter an outstanding athlete? Definitely, is he a great player and person? Of course. Is he likely a first ballot Hall of Famer? The odds are between definitely and a certainty. By no fault of his own he has received this treatment and he has handled it with grace and poise, but is it justified? I think not. He deserves mounds of respect and honor but save the accolades for NYC.