The University of Pennsylvania Finds Jeter To Be The Worst Major League Shortstop In The Field…
Well, New York Yankee fans will not be happy with the University of Pennsylvania at all. According to study that did of all Major League shortstops, Derek Jeter ranked as the worst at the game — when it comes to fielding. Despite his three Gold Gloves and universal accolade, Jeter is not getting much respect from academics.
From the New York Post: How’s this for junk science - even with three Gold Gloves, Yankees captain Derek Jeter has been labeled the worst fielding shortstop in baseball.
But the numbers prove it, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania said yesterday at a meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, in (of course) Boston.
Using a complex statistical method, researchers concluded that Alex Rodriguez was one of the best shortstops in the game when he played for the Texas Rangers.
When Rodriguez became a Yankee in 2004, he moved to third base while Jeter stayed at short.
But that may have been a mistake, said Penn researcher Shane Jensen.
Researchers looked at every ball put in play from 2002 through 2005 and recorded where the shots went.
Jensen said a player’s success depended on his range as well as how effectively he made decisions and positioned himself on the field.
Players were then ranked in each position from best to worst, with Mr. New York Baseball - Jeter - coming in dead last among major league shortstops during the research period.
A-Rod, who won two Gold Gloves as a shortstop, was ranked No. 2.
Ah, the captain isn’t getting much love…
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