Nice comment today by long-time SU subscriber, S. Goldman, which is shown below in its entirety. SU is a strong proponent of sharing the space here with those of you who would like to thoughtfully comment which thankfully is virtually everyone. Check out other blogs and by the third comment, it’s reduced to “you’re an idiot.”
SU’s quick take on last night’s ceremony:
- I must admit that the parade of ex-Yankee players is impressive. It just is. We were really privileged to watch some great, great athletes in their prime as Yankees.
- Jeter’s speech was fine. No notes, no tears, no errors. I suspect it was more difficult when he retired vs. having his number retired. He seemed to enjoy himself throughout and was joking around quite a bit.
- The absence of A-Rod is wrong, it’s just wrong. He sent him a congratulatory tweet but was not invited to attend. The reason was to spend Mother’s Day in Florida with his mom but you know that was to avoid any controversy. SU heard that there was a recent interview with Jeter where somehow A-Rod was part of the interview (maybe as a questioner?). Anyway, Jeter got pissed. SU says: grow up Derek and move on. Throw A-Rod a bone and make nice. It’s unnecessary and he should have been part of things last night. Perhaps once Jeter is a co-owner of the Marlins, his Yankee ties will not be quite as intense. And don’t forget: SU predicts A-Rod is the next manager of the Yankees.
As promised, check out S. Goldman’s comments from earlier today:
“With the Jeter ceremony yesterday, it was nice to be reminded of the teams from 96+ (a nice diversion from the weaker performance of the 17 Yankees in 4 games against a good Astros team). Surprised not to read any SU reflections on Jeter given than everybody seems to need to weigh in on it. Here are mine:
– The ceremony was well done although I can’t understand the need to bring out the gifts and describe them in detail. Maybe it’s because I never played sports at a high level, but what is the fascination with rings and did any of the fans in attendance really want to hear John Sterling describe the precise location of every stone and etching on the ring they gave Jeter?
– Jeter’s speech and tone were perfect. I know he is criticized as being boring. I think he’s just not a terribly complicated guy but he is thoughtful. He seems to be proud but also humble.
– Was A Rod missed among the Yankee stars in attendance? Not really. Until they had Carlos Beltran come out to present a gift. Maybe he’s a good friend and it’s nice to get the other team involved a little bit but Jeter and Beltran barely played together and won no championships together. This was the only moment where it felt like A Rod belonged there and the distaste Jeter has for him really shone through. For context, A Rod played many more seasons with Jeter than Beltran did. He had a more impressive career. He won a championship with Jeter. He was a Yankee much longer than Beltran. And, he’s still on the payroll so could have made the trip with no appearance fees.
– I loved watching all of the players that were in attendance but felt a little sorry for my kids. They were seeing great players. But they weren’t seeing the greatest players. I guess I was spoiled when I would see DiMaggio or Mantle at the stadium. But who knows? Reggie and Mariano and Jeter may be able to carry the torch.
– Reggie Jackson looks great. He looks like he could walk out and hit a homerun tomorrow. Bernie Williams does not.
– After yesterday, it’s hard to understand why Jeter would want to get involved with the Marlins. I’m sure the Yankees could find him something to do if he wants to be around the game a little bit. The financial benefits can’t be that meaningful to him and if he’s a figurehead investor then he’s throwing away the notion that he’ll always be associated solely as a Yankee. It just doesn’t make a lot of sense.
– Jeter’s career is obviously much more than stats. That much we know. But there are still some stats (batting average, doubles, the post-season stuff, the number of games he played while out of playoff contention) that are pretty impressive.
– Talk radio last week was all about how Jeter stacks up to past Yankee greats. Is he on the Mt. Rushmore? Obviously not. But these discussions got me to re-think the career of Yogi Berra. I have a slightly distorted picture of Berra, driven primarily by his second and third careers as a manager and loveable goofball. But those can be distractions from his playing career which was not goofy at all. The MVPs. The post season stuff. He was a great hitter in the middle of the lineup on great teams for a long time. The Yankee Mt Rushmore is without question Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio and Mantle. But Berra is closer to the Mt Rushmore than Jeter is to Berra. And this is no knock on Jeter.”
Sports Update Intergalactic 
You’re an idiot. 😉
You’re early.
There were no two more polar opposites as role model, class act, team player or quintessential Yankee. I agree with having ARod as far away from this day as possible. He would just subtract from the day–it was Jeter’s day.
Mt. Rushmore should include 10 time World Series winner in 18 years…. Yogi Berra. Long before Jeter and even during Jeter’s years when he was alive. The name Yogi still remains a national household name amongst MLB and also our country. If he is not on the Mt. Rushmore of Yankeeland he certainly is on the Mt. Rushmore of MLB and also as a sports representative for the United States of America. By position, besides Johhny bench who only won 2 World Series and 6 division titles who else comes close to Yogi Berra in the toughest position to play in baseball.
So we are 35 games into the season and the Yanks are in first place depsite losing 3 of 4 against the Astros. I can only see the youngsters on our team getting better and better as they see more and more pitchers. The upside overall is there and when we meet the Astros again down in Texas I’m confident the results will be better for us. We are going to win 90+ games this season…. and that you can take to the bank.
The only reasons Berra isn’t on Mt Rushmore are Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio and Mantle.
Definitely like the Yankees start. Not thrilled that Baltimore has hung around with them but both teams are bound to cool off a bit. Toronto dug a huge hole with a terrible start but have spent the last couple weeks gaining ground. Can’t count them out.