Judging Defense: Jeter Vs. Everett (Bill James)

[rluzinski]

James: Jeter vs. Everett

[Thurston Fluff]

Interesting read. I don't think defense lends itself well to any single statistical measurement but when every statistical measurement points one way it can't be ignored out of hand. It just goes to show the value of gold gloves in determining defensive abilities.

 

On a side note when I read this part

 

It's sort of like if you have a videotape of the suspect holding up a bank and shooting the clerk, and you have his fingerprints on the murder weapon, and you recover items taken in the robbery from his garage. Maybe the videotape is not clear; it could be somebody who looks a lot like him. Maybe there is some other explanation for his fingerprints on the murder weapon. Maybe there is some other explanation for the bags of money in his garage. It is REALLY difficult to accept that there is some other explanation for all three.

 

I couldn't help but think OJ. Makes me wonder if the jury was from NY.

[TooLiveBrew]

Thanks for linking that, rluz. That was a great read. Sheesh - I knew Jeter was 'not good' defensively, but wow. I want to see those highlight (20 worst/20 best) DVDs of Jeter & Everett back-to-back. That'd be fun.

[danzig6767]

I've always felt his defense was way overrated, but Jeter IMO gets bashed more than he should outside of New York for how good of an overall player he is.

[JimH5]

They're measuring the wrong stuff.

 

When presented an opportunity to play smoochie-face with Miss Universe, Adam Everett would stammer and stumble, spill a drink on himself and commit a HUGE E-6.

 

Jeter would make the play flawlessly, combining excellent range, with experienced surehandedness.

 

Advantage Jeter.

[dadofandrew]

Jeter is a fine player, but a horrible defensive SS. In fact, the fact the Yankees have won so much with him there is enough for you to seriously wonder how much it's worth.

[logan82]

Jeter is a fine player, but a horrible defensive SS. In fact, the fact the Yankees have won so much with him there is enough for you to seriously wonder how much it's worth.

 

How much does his defense hurt the pitching?

[dadofandrew]

Or overall runs scored, however you want to look at it. Those 93 less outs he made, that should be a ton of runs...but it does not seem like it. I think the Yankees were even near the top on the range model calculations.

[danzig6767]

Jeter is a fine player, but a horrible defensive SS. In fact, the fact the Yankees have won so much with him there is enough for you to seriously wonder how much it's worth.

Alot of things can get covered up with 200 million dollar payrolls that bought offenses that crushed opposing teams and great pitching staffs in their title days. Plus, Jeter's prolific abilities at the plate more than made up for his defensive shortcomings.