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Jeter Answers: Yankee Quiets Questions with MVP Start

Boston Herald, July 12, 2000

By Tony Massarotti

ATLANTA - Alex Rodriguez had more votes and Nomar Garciaparra had the better numbers, but Derek Jeter got the starting nod in the 71st All-Star Game. In the end, Jeter walked away with the Most Valuable Player trophy, too, and Yankees manager Joe Torre found some level of vindication.

Isn't this how it always seems to work?

So it was last night at Turner Field, where the American League defeated the National League, 6-3, to claim its fourth straight win in the annual exhibition. One of the many accidental tourists in this year's game, Jeter went 3-for-3 with two singles, a double, two RBI and one run scored. He played a part in each of the AL's first three runs.

Naturally, Jeter's place in the starting lineup was questionable. Seattle phenom Rodriguez was the elected starter, but was unable to play because of a frightening concussion suffered last week. Yankees manager Torre subsequently chose his guy Jeter over Garciaparra, who leads the major leagues in batting (.389) and had more home runs (12-9) and RBI (55-37) than his Yankees counterpart.

As it turned out, Jeter became the first Yankee in history (incredible, but true) to win the All-Star Game MVP. Garciaparra, meanwhile, went 1-for-2 with a run scored, but also made a pair of errors, including a wild, off-balance throw that sailed over the head of first baseman Fred McGriff in the bottom of the ninth inning.

The summary:

Nomar got two Es.

Jeter got an MVP.

Damn Yankees.

``It's tough to believe. You look at all the Yankee greats and you'd think at least one of 'em would win an MVP award,'' said Jeter, who had struck out in each of his previous two career All-Star at-bats. ``It means a lot. With the shortstop position in the American League, you never know if you're going to come to an All-Star Game let alone start one. . . . Fortunately, the Boston fans voted for Nomar last year and Mr. Torre gave me an opportunity this year.''

Said Torre: ``Derek's only been in the league for five years, but I know one thing: When you mention his name, you think of the Yankees.''

In the grand scheme of things, of course, Jeter hardly qualifies as a controversial selection. Despite his relatively substandard numbers in the season's first half, many regard only Rodriguez as a better all-around shortstop in all of baseball. Add Garciaparra into the mix, and what you have is a wonderboy rotation of gold, silver and bronze at the position.

Just the same, Jeter is not the first player to win the MVP despite some question about his presence on the team (let alone in the starting lineup). In 1988, Oakland catcher Terry Steinbach was a questionable electee as an AL starter, then proceeded to produce a home run and an RBI single in the AL's 2-1 victory. This year, along with Garciaparra, Baltimore shortstop Mike Bordick may have been a worthier candidate to start ahead of Jeter.

Once the game began, however, there was no more deserving candidate than the 26-year-old Jeter. There may also be no one more fortunate. Younger than Nomar (27 this month) and older than A-Rod (25 this month), Jeter already had won a Rookie of the Year award and three World Series championships when he took the field last night. And now he has an All-Star Game MVP to add to the resume.

``We've been watching that ever since he came to the big leagues. That's why he's here. He's an All-Star,'' National League manager Bobby Cox said of Jeter, who has also haunted his team in past World Series. ``There are three great shortstops now and he's one of 'em.''

Said Jeter of his extensive accomplishments over such a relatively short career: ``I've been very fortunate. I came in the right place at the right time.''

And he did again last night.