Short-changed, Jeter's worth being questioned by fans but why?
FOX Sports, Feb 3, 2000
By Curt Menefee
"Derek Jeter's not worth it. What's he done? No athlete's worth that much."
Welcome to the great divide for me it's the great depression.
Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter just agreed to a one-year, $10 million deal. But before the start of the 2000 season, it's likely that he'll sign the much-rumored seven-year, $118.5 million extension with New York. When word of that deal came out a couple of weeks ago, the reaction of New Yorkers most claiming to be Yankee fans was astonishing.
Most were out-and-out against it. Are you nuts?
The statistics are amazing: Jeter compiled a .349 average with 24 HRs and 102 RBIs last season, while his 214 hits led the World Champions in that category for the fourth straight year. Oh, I almost forgot during his four-year career, the Yankees have won three World Series titles.
But apparently a lot of folks think he was just lucky to be a part of good teams. Suddenly, the talk shows and talk on the street center around the search for what's wrong with Jeter why he shouldn't get the money.
In reality, the reaction is as much about the great divide that the money-paying fan is feeling between himself and the million-dollar athlete.
Athletes make a lot of money because fans continue to pay a lot of money to see them.
Think of it this way despite the fact that inflation is near an all-time low in this country, some Yankees ticket prices have increased by more than 50 percent in the last two years alone.
And you know what? Attendance has still gone up. In fact, last year was the first time in history that the Yankees drew three million fans to Yankee Stadium, putting more money in the pockets of baseball's richest owner, Gentle George.
So if you're paying to see the Bombers play, why shouldn't the players get paid for it? Look around the Stadium during any home game, and from 13-year-old girls to 45-year-old men, Jeter's No. 2 jersey is easily the most prevalent.
Many of those fans came not only to see the Yankees, but to watch Derek. Jeter's that special kind of ballplayer who has a unique presence that you watch not only at the plate, but wherever he is on the field.
No player is more respected by his own teammates than Jeter or by players on other teams.
After winning the rookie of the year award in 1996, Jeter moved to Tampa so he could spend his off-season working at the Yankees' complex to better his game. No Yankee does more charity work. He's 25 years old, doesn't smoke or drink, comes from a perfect family and works as hard as any superstar in any sport.
No matter how much money his next contract is for, it won't affect his attitude one bit.
The question is, why has it affected the attitude of so many fans?