Will Derek Jeter be the first player unanimously inducted into the Hall of Fame?
Debate the answer with Chad Finn and Boston sports fans at The Sports Q.
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I thought we were done with the Derek Jeter tributes when the Red Sox had that awkward ceremony for him at the end of his last season. Should have known better. ESPN is drooling all over themselves about his number retirement ceremony this weekend. They couldn’t quit him if they tried. The love for him was too much during his playing days, but at least he was a great player. It continues in his retirement, and it makes me scared [expletive] that he’s going to be the first player elected to the Hall of Fame with 100-percent of the ballot. What a sham that would be. I’m convinced it’s happening. Are you? Do you have a vote? – Alvaro Espinoza
Eh, I’m cool with all of the love. The player who was the captain of the Yankees when the Red Sox finally conquered everything is someone who should be celebrated endlessly. Thanks for the collapse, Jetes. Whoops. Meant collap2e. Put that one on a t-shirt, Steiner Sports.
To answer the question, I think there’s a very good chance he becomes the first player to get 100 percent, for a couple of reasons. Foremost, he had one hell of a career – 3,465 hits (sixth all-time), 14 All-Star appearances, 5 World Series titles, 5 Gold Gloves, fielded a ball going to his left once. Heck, he was even almost as good as Nomar Garciapparra for the first half-dozen years of it. Longstanding bitterness from me aside, he is a no-brainer first-ballot Hall of Famer. We all know this.
We also know there is no bleeping way he should be unanimous based on the goofy voting unwrittens that have kept everyone – even Willie Mays, Babe Ruth, and Pedro Martinez – from receiving 100 percent of the vote. There are players in the past that should have been unanimous – I just named three – but because they weren’t for whatever reason, it’s ridiculous to suggest a lesser player should be.
Jeter is a lesser player, at least compared to the elite of the elite. He was Barry Larkin with a better team and a huge media market to back him. And that latter reason is why I think there’s a chance he is unanimous. There are voters who are going to be terrified about the Big Apple backlash that will come when they are revealed as someone who left The Captain off.
I do not have a vote yet. If I did, I probably would vote for him, but you can make the argument that there are 10 other players on the ballot who need the checkmark more.
Jeter will get in without any suspense. There are worthy players who are struggling to stay on the ballot, let alone get close to getting in. Some may be tempted to strategically throw a vote, say, Larry Walker’s way rather than add to the pile of votes for someone who is a mortal lock. The system – especially the 10-player minimum – practically demands it.
Ultimately, I think a couple of voters will leave Jeter off, and man, will I ever respect the hell out of them. But I do bet he gets the highest percentage ever. Even though, you know, Nomah was bettah.
What do you guys think? Will Jeter be unanimous? Will anyone, ever (besides Andrew Benintendi, obviously)? I’ll see you in the comments.
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