05/03: Bowa on Jeter's D
Posted by: Patrick
The Pinstriped Bible has some quotes from Larry Bowa on Jeter's D:
I've always been happy with Jeter's defense. When a ball is hit to Jeter and the game is on the line, I fully expect him to make the play. If there is anyone on the field I want the ball hit to, it is Derek Jeter. I think that's probably one of the biggest complements you can pay to a fielder. It doesn't get hit to Jeter and I think "Oh no, we're screwed!" And not once during Jeter's tenure have I wished that we had some other shortstop for the life of Jeter's career. How many teams would kill/would have killed to have Jeter as their shortstop? I'm just glad he's on our side.
Via Alex.
On Jeter's Defense:
"I think he's a very good defensive player. This kid has a great work ethic. When he goes out there for pregame, he just doesn't take grounders to get loose. He goes right, he goes left. He asks me every day, 'If you see something, let me know.' Or if there's a play, he'll ask, 'Did I play that wrong?' This guy's a professional. He's a leader out there. It seems like the tougher the situation, he thrives on that. He's a great player." ...
Where Jeter can improve:
"One area we've talked a little bit about is playing more to his right on some ground balls. But for the most part, he follows our game plan. When we say straight away, he's there. When we say, 'Pull,' he's there. I think what happens is people, they're used to him making every single play, and if he just misses a ball, it could be the pitch. A lot of times when you're playing shortstop, and location's away, you're mentally saying, 'Okay, the pitch is this way, it's going to be hard for this guy to pull.'
"I think he's a very good defensive player. This kid has a great work ethic. When he goes out there for pregame, he just doesn't take grounders to get loose. He goes right, he goes left. He asks me every day, 'If you see something, let me know.' Or if there's a play, he'll ask, 'Did I play that wrong?' This guy's a professional. He's a leader out there. It seems like the tougher the situation, he thrives on that. He's a great player." ...
Where Jeter can improve:
"One area we've talked a little bit about is playing more to his right on some ground balls. But for the most part, he follows our game plan. When we say straight away, he's there. When we say, 'Pull,' he's there. I think what happens is people, they're used to him making every single play, and if he just misses a ball, it could be the pitch. A lot of times when you're playing shortstop, and location's away, you're mentally saying, 'Okay, the pitch is this way, it's going to be hard for this guy to pull.'
I've always been happy with Jeter's defense. When a ball is hit to Jeter and the game is on the line, I fully expect him to make the play. If there is anyone on the field I want the ball hit to, it is Derek Jeter. I think that's probably one of the biggest complements you can pay to a fielder. It doesn't get hit to Jeter and I think "Oh no, we're screwed!" And not once during Jeter's tenure have I wished that we had some other shortstop for the life of Jeter's career. How many teams would kill/would have killed to have Jeter as their shortstop? I'm just glad he's on our side.
Via Alex.
James wrote:
However, that being said, Jeter's bat more than makes up for the lack of range and overall (outside of A-Rod), there are no other shortstops that I would rather have on the team.