As Derek Jeter sees his jersey retired on Sunday, we look back at a time when an adversary questioned his achievements. Baseball, like every other team sport on the planet, is a combination of perspective and context. The most decorated shortstop in the history of baseball’s most storied franchise will sit among the immortals whose contributions to his team rank among the best.
Infielders, to a man, take pride in their defense. Granted, the allure of an aging superstar playing the last few years at designated hitter does seem inviting. However, somewhere along the way, that infielder played as a child, dreaming of turning a double play or making a highlight-reel catch. Yet, for one current shortstop, his comments could have backfired, in retrospect.
As Derek Jeter Enjoys Jersey Retirement, Flashback to Correa Criticism
Jeter is a Hall of Famer with 3,465 hits and a .310 batting average. For 20 seasons, the longtime New York Yankees’ captain took equal pride in offense and defense. Before Monument Park welcomes a new denizen, we remember a time when someone dared to criticize his accomplishments.
Carlos Correa is an All-Star-caliber shortstop. For 11 seasons, the standout continues to display good power and a quick glove in the field. In 2021, while as a free agent, the Minnesota Twins’ middle infielder decided to take umbrage with Jeter’s defensive awards.
During a two-decade career where he played just 73 games as the designated hitter, Jeter excelled at shortstop. Correa made it publicly known that he did not believe Jeter earned his five Gold Gloves, as this article states.
Correa missed the mark on a few occasions in his argument. Of the five Gold Gloves, Jeter led the league in either assists or fielding percentage three of those years. Next, in 2010, as a 36-year-old shortstop, Jeter paced the entire game with a .989 fielding percentage. Meaning, no shortstop played better.
That is not to discourage or slight Correa, who plays a pristine shortstop with range, quick hands, and a strong arm. However, tearing someone down to elevate your own merits doesn’t fit right. Especially back in 2021, when the Yankees and Correa displayed mutual interest.
Correa also needed to tread lightly when the World Series ring that he wears happened because of a cheating scandal. In 2017, the Houston Astros, for whom Correa started for seven seasons, cheated to win their first World Series. By using a camera and a relaying system that involved banging on trash cans, of which Correa was a full participant, they tarnished their entire legacy.
When Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, and Lou Gehrig make room for Derek Jeter, his icon status becomes eternal. Meanwhile, Correa, a good hitter with a great glove, may only see the Hall of Fame like the rest of us: buying a ticket.