After 20 seasons of classy winning and racking up accomplishments,
New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter is ending his venerable playing career at
the end of the week. Baseball has always seemed to have someone of his caliber
as their “dean of the game,” so which current player will replace Mr. November
when he steps off the field for the final time?
The entire 2014 season has been a farewell tour for Jeter,
who has struggled to a .255 batting average, four home runs and 43 RBIs in 139
games. Some have been annoyed
at the adulation that has occasionally bordered on being the modern equivalent of
a Viking funeral pyre. But with nearly 3,500 career hits, 16 post season
appearances (including five World Series wins) and 14 All Star game nods, he’s
kind of a big deal and his departure is a cause for remembrance and
celebration.
While nobody can truly replace a player of Jeter’s magnitude,
there is some veteran out there who will step into his role as baseball’s revered
elder statesman. Here are the most likely candidates:
David Ortiz (Age 38),
Designated Hitter for the Boston Red Sox: Although he rarely plays defense,
Big Papi is still known as one of baseball best players. With a career .285
batting average, 466 home runs, 1,533 RBIs and eight playoff appearances (three
World Series wins), he has the kind of resume that one might expect out of
Jeter’s replacement.
Playing in a market like Boston, Ortiz receives plenty of
national exposure. However, his outspoken nature and flamboyancy (i.e. bat
flips and occasional off-the-cuff public remarks) make him a near opposite of
Jeter, and polarizing to some. Nevertheless, he is probably the most likely to
be the next player to have a year played in his honor when he retires in the
not so distant future.
Albert Pujols (Age
34), First Baseman for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Similar to Ortiz,
Pujols has piled up numbers throughout his career, amassing a .317 batting
average, 519 home runs, 1,599 RBIs and eight top-two MVP finishes over 14 major
league seasons. He is also about to head to the post season for the eighth time
and has a reasonable chance of winning his third World Series winning team.
While he’s still a productive player, Pujols current enormous
10-year, $240 million contract makes him seem almost like a sideshow.
Nevertheless, the future Hall-of-Famer is in an elite class, which is why he is
on this short list.
Bartolo Colon (Age
41), Pitcher for the New York Mets: The portly right-hander has won 203
games with a 3.95 ERA during a 17-year major league career. Despite
re-inventing himself in recent years (42 combined wins in the past three
seasons), his appearance
and a previous suspension
for PEDs have all detracted from his level of respect.
Ichiro Suzuki (Age 40),
Outfielder for the New York Yankees: Now in his baseball dotage, the Japanese
import forged a reputation as one of the greatest hitters the game has ever
known across his 23 professional seasons. Between his time in Japan and the
majors, his resume includes 4,117 hits, a .328 batting average, 684 stolen
bases, and some amazing defense.
A slightly below average player for the past several
seasons, Ichiro has held on due to his reputation and ability with his glove.
Sadly, he may not even be eligible to succeed Jeter, as there’s no guarantee he
will continue playing in 2015. If that is the case, his lack of any sort of
farewell tour will be a sad commentary on his relative under-appreciated
status.
Others to Consider:
Outfielder Torii Hunter (a good but not great player); third baseman Adrian
Beltre (just don’t rub
his head); outfielder Carlos Beltran (16 career post season homers); closer
Fernando Rodney (the rakish
angle of his cap is always that of a younger man); closer LaTroy Hawkins
(more known for playing for 10 teams in 20 major league seasons than his numbers);
second baseman Chase Utley (one of the high-priced veterans still producing in
Philadelphia); pitcher Tim Hudson (214 career victories, and about to make his
seventh postseason trip with hopes his team will finally win a series for the
first time).
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