Jeter's Not A Bad Choice
Derek Jeter won another Gold Glove today and people are howling in protest already about how poor his defense is.
But, if you look at RZR (Revised Zone Rating) which is basically a measure of the percentage of plays a defender turns in their own defensive zone, Jeter was #1 in the AL. Let me repeat that, Jeter turned the highest percentage of balls hit in the shortstop zone into outs in the AL. I am not saying he is the best shortstop in the AL. In fact if you look at plays made outside the zone, ie great plays, Jeter falls to 10th. But unlike 2004 (9th of 11 in RZR) 2005 (8th of 10) or 2006 (8th of 11) Jeter has a claim on this award because he finished first. Elvis Andrus probably deserved it more (.001 behind Jeter in RZR and way ahead in plays outside the zone), but Jeter isn't a bad choice at all.
One last thing about Jeter's defense. Much has been made about how he greatly improved his defense in 2009, but the numbers aren't there. Interestingly, Jeter's defense took a big jump for the better after 2007 when his RZR went to .839 from .777. So, it appears that the positioning and stretching he did in the offseason didn't make as much a difference as we were told.
Comments
You know? It's not as if a GG Award is a popularity contest. Jeter was voted in by the coaches and managers of the other AL teams. Case closed in my book.
And Tex? That guy's glove work is absolutely amazing - on the order of the last master I saw at at 1B, Doug Mintkiewicz (forgive my spelling if I brutalized his name). Tex saved more problem throws, made more spectacular stabs than I have ever seen in a season. Bravo!
Posted by: Mitchell![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://yankeesredsox.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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November 10, 2009 10:50 PM
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If you had to win a 7 game series and could pick anyone to play shortstop, who would you pick?
I'd say Jeter. He outplayed Rollins and everyone else.
And by the way, in addition to playing steady shortstop, he hit four f#%*+ing hundred in the World Series.
What does this guy have to do to get some respect?
Posted by: Corey | November 11, 2009 06:57 PM |
Corey, I think that's what the problem is with gold glove voting, the voters use unscientific or irrelevant information to hand out the award:
Your first statement cannot be proven either way, it is an opinion. As for your 3rd sentence, hitting has nothing to do with the gold glove.
The gold glove isn't about the best overall player or the most clutch player, but the best player, defensively, at his position.
Sorry to use your comment as ammunition, nothing personal, but I'm a believer that using all of the "stats" to determine this award is important as often times, eyes can deceive.
Posted by: Andy | November 12, 2009 04:24 PM |