→ leddy:果然上次Jeter上次不出來挺A-Rod,不是心結,是對媒體沈默 10/11 11:23
推 Nilthoron:因為這件事，現在好像開始有人質疑Jeter的領導能力 10/11 14:46
Shaun Powell
SPORTS COLUMNIST
Jeter support has come up short
October 10, 2006
from newsday.com
Clearing out the rubble of a ruptured baseball season is never a pretty or
pleasant task, but such is life as the Yankees know it these days. Little by
little, and I'm talking both in terms of numbers and status on the team,
players filed in and out of a soulless Yankee Stadium clubhouse the last few
days, grabbed their gear and split.
Some did pause long enough to give a shout-out about their beleaguered
manager. Joe Torre deserved as much. So Sal Fasano and Jaret Wright, among
precious few others, expressed how much they enjoyed playing for Torre and
how much he meant to the Yankees and how sad it would be for him to leave.
Their pleas will not, however, sway Torre from a baseball execution. George
Steinbrenner does not care what a backup catcher has to say, or a No. 4
starter who couldn't last three innings in the crushing defeat in Detroit
that ultimately will cost Torre his job.
The only player with a voice in that clubhouse has chosen not to use it, at
least not publicly, other than a quick, vanilla response through his agent.
He has not shouted from the highest building in Manhattan in order for all of
Yankeeville to hear, or loud enough to shake the antennas down in Tampa, home
of the Yankees' braintrust, which is busy putting together a case against
Torre.
Instead, the word from Yankees public-relations chief Rick Cerrone yesterday
was that Derek Jeter was leaving town later in the afternoon.
Obviously, wherever the captain was going, it was more important than staying
in New York and backing the only major-league manager he has ever known.
I wouldn't be swayed by Jeter even if he did defiantly defend Torre with a
passionate speech while standing on a soapbox in Times Square. Torre has
stayed long enough, and besides, someone just as baseball-savvy and credible
is sitting at home, waiting for Steinbrenner's call.
It's pretty hard to come up with a valid reason why Lou Piniella isn't fit to
follow Torre, a local baseball legend. But I'd listen to Jeter. So would
everyone else. And isn't that what a captain is supposed to do: Take a stand?
Isn't that part of the job description - to show leadership, to flex his
authority, particularly in time of crisis? And isn't Jeter a Torre guy all
the way?
Maybe Jeter underestimates the weight of his voice, but just imagine, for a
second, how far it would travel in this case. Imagine if Jeter demanded a New
York media forum and, with red eyes and moist cheeks, explained very sternly
yet intelligently how much Torre has meant to the Yankees and the city and
the development of Derek Jeter.
Imagine if Jeter took it a step further and sent a message to The Man, via
the TV cameras, with this ultimatum: "If Joe goes, then I go."
What then? Well. All hell would break loose, that's what. Lines would be
drawn and sides taken. Jeter would shake up the city. Steinbrenner's mock
turtleneck would ruffle. And somewhere thick among the mansions in
Westchester, a manager would get choked up once again.
Let us not dismiss the possibility that Jeter already has expressed those
thoughts in so many words to Steinbrenner in a private phone call, keeping in
step with his pattern of operating behind the scenes. If so, Torre will
manage the Yankees next season, and you'll know why.
However, without going public, Jeter has allowed the hysteria to roar while
Torre is being hung out to dry. Without speaking to the media and in effect
the residents of Yankeeville, Jeter is inviting suspicion that (a) he's
sitting this one out, or (b) he doesn't care if Torre manages the Yankees
next year or not.
Either one is mystifying for a captain, for someone who supposedly has
Torre's back.
Look, Jeter is a terrific Yankee and model citizen. Count me among his many
admirers. However, he avoids controversial situations with amazing
consistency. He never stood up (or down) for Alex Rodriguez when things got
thick. He has never taken issue with Steinbrenner's sometimes insensitive
press releases. And now, when his manager needs him, Jeter is out of town.
Perhaps, by saying nothing, Jeter is saying something. He's saying he'd
rather be left alone - strange behavior from a captain, yet quite typical for
this one.
--
※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc)
◆ From: 140.130.155.141