'Enough with Jetes already!'

[Dick Whitman]

Fangraphs columnist says that MLB's Jeter number retirement bonanza was a marketing miscalculation, considering the game's desperate need to market its new generation of stars:

Moving on from the Derek Jeter Era | FanGraphs Baseball

Note: I agree with the Jeter sentiment. But I don't necessary agree that the "lack of stars" is the issue people think it is. Kris Bryant is a star in Chicago. Giancarlo Stanton is a huge star in Miami. Miggy is a huge star in Detroit. Correa in Houston. And on an on. It's a game that is marketed regionally, and that is kind of refreshing in a time in which 90 percent of high school kids in America would claim that the Warriors or Cavs, rather than the local franchise, is their "favorite NBA team."

 

[Inky_Wretch]

What is "Something Manky Jimmy would never say?"

 

[TheSportsPredictor]

If only Sports Illustrated would feature someone like Aaron Judge on the cover.

 

[SnarkShark]

Tweet was deleted from the MLB account.

 

[Dick Whitman]

If only Sports Illustrated would feature someone like Aaron Judge on the cover.

SI is a huge cultural force among young people.

 

[CD Boogie]

Fangraphs columnist says that MLB's Jeter number retirement bonanza was a marketing miscalculation, considering the game's desperate need to market its new generation of stars:

Moving on from the Derek Jeter Era | FanGraphs Baseball

Note: I agree with the Jeter sentiment. But I don't necessary agree that the "lack of stars" is the issue people think it is. Kris Bryant is a star in Chicago. Giancarlo Stanton is a huge star in Miami. Miggy is a huge star in Detroit. Correa in Houston. And on an on. It's a game that is marketed regionally, and that is kind of refreshing in a time in which 90 percent of high school kids in America would claim that the Warriors or Cavs, rather than the local franchise, is their "favorite NBA team."

It needs the Red Sox-Yankee rivalry to ramp up. Sale striking out 17 and plunking a few. Maybe a few brawls. Red Sox-Orioles rivalry has potential legs. Honoring Jeter doesn't hurt the current game a damn lick.

 

[Michael_ Gee]

The Yankees have marketed former stars instead of current players since Lou Gehrig Day. It doesn't seem to have hurt them financially.

 

[Starman]

Aren't like 37 Yankees-Red Sox games o national teevee this year?

 

[Dick Whitman]

The Yankees have marketed former stars instead of current players since Lou Gehrig Day. It doesn't seem to have hurt them financially.

I believe the point is broader than the Yankees. This makes sense for the Yankees. The point is baseball continuing at large to cling to a Yankee who retired three years ago as the face of the game. Baseball has long oversold Derek Jeter because he fit into a certain box: Long-time, homegrown New York Yankee with multiple World Series titles.

It's amazing to think back on how many crossover stars the game had in the early to mid-90s. Griffey. Bonds. Clemens. Canseco and McGwire. Thomas. It was an absolute bonanza. (I largely credit the baseball card/memorabilia bubble, which you can't really replicate now.)

 

[bigpern23]

Cool fact about Jeter is that in his 20-year career, he only played in four games which started with the Yankees eliminated from playoff contention.

 

[Michael_ Gee]

That's an interesting point about collectibles. But for all of baseball history, stars have retired, there's been a transition period, and then new stars become legends. Happened in Boston when Williams retired, then when Yaz retired. now when Ortiz retired. If Mike Trout was a Dodger instead of an Angel, he'd be the "crossover" star. He'll probably have to get 10 years in in Anaheim before he gets his living legend status.

 

[Dick Whitman]

That's an interesting point about collectibles. But for all of baseball history, stars have retired, there's been a transition period, and then new stars become legends. Happened in Boston when Williams retired, then when Yaz retired. now when Ortiz retired. If Mike Trout was a Dodger instead of an Angel, he'd be the "crossover" star. He'll probably have to get 10 years in in Anaheim before he gets his living legend status.

Isn't Trout reluctant to do much marketing? I've read that.

 

[LongTimeListener]

Boy, that column was awful.

 

[Dick Whitman]

The idea of anyone under age 35 sitting and watching a regular-season baseball game is hilarious on its face. The idea that anyone outside New York is going to tune in for three hours of May baseball because a player who hasn't put on a uniform in three years is even better.

Baseball is really bad TV, and getting worse as the strikeouts pile up. It is, however, a great night out. And it also lends itself to lots of great gambling/fantasy aspects. And, importantly for millennial, shareable GIFs.

 

[Dick Whitman]

Boy, that column was awful.

Did you get the idea that Jeter deserved to be honored? He only reiterated it about six times.

 

[LongTimeListener]

Yeah, even though his WAR sucked in his final year.

 

[Bronco77]

Considering the ownership group he's part of appears to be the leader to buy the Marlins, Jeter Era II is about to begin ad nauseam here in South Florida (in fact, it's already a big topic on the radio and in the papers). But it will be a small price to pay for getting Jeff Loria out of the owner's office.

 

[heyabbott]

Aren't like 37 Yankees-Red Sox games o national teevee this year?

Is there a baseball team that doesn't have a local outlet that broadcasts almost every game? National game? Is anybody watching?

 

[heyabbott]

Yeah, even though his WAR sucked in his final year.

Hank Aaron's WAR in his final year sucked too.

 

[Dick Whitman]

Is there a baseball team that doesn't have a local outlet that broadcasts almost every game? National game? Is anybody watching?

I'd like to watch the Sunday night game, but I'm usually getting it on pretty hot and heavy during that time window.