Is an aging Bernie Williams the Yankees' best option to lead off perhaps the most potent lineup in baseball history? That's the case the New York Post's Joel Sherman made Thursday, and he definitely convinced me.
Conventional wisdom points toward newly acquired Kenny Lofton setting the table, but Sherman says Bernie should be the man for the following reasons:
• Better hitters (Williams) should get more plate appearances than weaker ones (Lofton). And no one gets to the plate more than the leadoff man.
• Williams is better at getting on base.
• Speed will be needed more at the bottom of the lineup than the top. Who wants to risk an out in front of Jeter, A-Rod, Giambi and Sheffield? Better to move a guy into position to score on a Miguel Cairo single.
• Though not much of a base-stealing threat, Williams is the perfect first-to-third man on Jeter's line drives into right field.
Unfortunately, Bernie Williams won't be available Opening Day in Tokyo, as he recovers from appendectomy surgery.
Other Sports Links:
• In Defense of Domination — TIME's Joel Stein writes that the Yankee way is the American way. He writes, "I've never rooted for underdogs, or, as I like to call them, losers," and warns against telling children bedtime stories about them. "Sure, your child might grow up to be Eliot Spitzer, but wouldn't you rather he became Bill Gates? Or better, Alex Rodriguez."
• How to Repair the NBA's All-Star Weekend — ESPN.com Page 2's Bill Simmons writes one of his best columns in some time, because it's not Boston-focused and doesn't include 1,000 pop-culture references. Please stick with that formula. Please!
• Video of A-Rod as Yankee in MVP Baseball 2004 — The EA Sports video game comes out March 10, and I already have my first game determined: Yanks at Sox, super-easy level, I control both teams, crap Boston middle reliever starts, intentionally walks Lofton and Jeter, throws a change-up to A-Rod that clears the Green Monster. What a way to start the baseball season.
• A Cold Winter for Free Agents — SI.com's John Donovan on some of baseball stars taking pay cuts or signing deals that pale in comparison with those of contemporaries just a few years ago.
• Story/Video of Woman Saying 'I Don't' at NBA Game — It's obviously staged, but funny nonetheless.
• Peter King Boycotts Delta Airlines — The Sports Illustrated scribe recounts an ugly interaction with Delta employees during his daughter's Notre Dame visit. (See bottom of column.)
• Suggestions for Madden 2005 — Gamers chime in with suggested improvements for the most popular sports video game on the market.
• Garcia May Pay for Owens' Big Blunder — Late paperwork means Pro Bowl receiver and All-Pro pain in the ass Terrell Owens might remain a 49er, but MSNBC.com's Gary Peterson says San Francisco won't keep him and QB Jeff Garcia. (Also note the incorrect spelling of "Collectibles" on Owens' official site.)
You know I'm a yankee hater but I'm also a baseball fan...
Jeter should be the leadoff hitter (and as captain he should offer to bat there and offer to move to 2nd or 3rd base).
Lofton shouldn't play but if he does I agree he should bat 9th.
Williams and Derek have close career ob percentage, and over the last 5 years are close in power and sb but nowadays Jeter is faster and potentially a better hit and run and 1 to 3rd guy. And if Bernie's shoulder ain't hurting, his power should come back and he is flat out clutch. Plus Jeter is supposed to be so smart, you'd think he could adjust his approach so he works out more walks, he does have a good eye.
I haven't seen a lot of Rodriguez but by all accounts he has really good range and is a great fielder. If you watch a lot of Yankee games you know that Jeter's range last year was average at best.
Plus if Jeter moves to second, the Yanks can sign another big expensive bat for 3rd base.
You Yankees fans cut Jeter way to much slack just cause he's cute... and because he was out of position on that cut-off play.
Posted by uncle melon at February 27, 2004 9:13 AM