Afternoon Baseball

The much-maligned Derek Jeter, at least when it came to ending close games and striking out repeatedly on inside-corner fastballs, has been on a roll lately with driving in game-deciding runs. First was a six-game RBI streak late in September, including the game-winner against B-more on Sept. 28. Tonight was a bloopy little chopper, but it got the job done.

Couple of key stats: Pre-All-Star break average with RISP: .217
After the break with RISP: .304
Pre-break average in Late Innings: .421, but only 2 RBI in 19 AB
After the break in Late Innings: .257, but 9 RBI in 35 AB

Furthermore, for those wishing to rip his fielding, let's put his fielding stats (as reliable as those are) against the nine other shortstops who qualified at the position (sorry Bobby Crosby).

Jeter's rank among them -- Errors: 2nd (Cabrera) Range Factor: 2nd (Lugo) Fielding %: 2nd (Cabrera)

Orlando Cabrera would be a worthy choice for Gold Glove, but he is dead last in Range Factor, if you care about that. Lugo has 9 more errors than and a fielding % 0.11 points lower than Jeter. Jeter is also 2nd in putouts, 2nd in assists and 3rd in total chances, although only 5th in double plays.

There's a real argument for Derek getting the Gold Glove again. It would not be a controversial thing at all.