…I seem to remember Mo giving up a homer to Sandy Alomar once. At least he owned up to it and it did not cost the game.

Rivera giving up the home run to Alomar is a bad example – even the best pitchers are going to give up runs on occasion.

Jeter’s bunt (and Girardi’s penchant for sac bunting in general this postseason) was a conscious decision, and those kinds of mistakes are different. I don’t care what the situation is, I don’t care what traditionalists say, and I don’t care about “by the book” baseball – telling a hitter who’s posted a .400 OBP and a .450 SLG over 10,000 career plate appearances to sacrifice is absolutely, positively stupid and moronic. The sum of what you gain (moving up the runners exactly one base sometimes, having the lead runner thrown out sometimes, and missing the bunt altogether sometimes) does not even come close to outweighing the possibilities you’re giving up or the bad outcomes you’re avoiding (double play).

I’m pretty much always against the bunt, and I think Girardi has used it way too much this year.

However, I know Jeter sometimes takes it upon himself to bunt. If Girardi called it, took the call off, and Jeter bunted anyway – I’m not sure what either has said about it but have an idea based on the other posts – then I think Derek made a mistake. There’s a “HOWEVER” here, though, and I’m sure most of you know what it is.

The Yankees have Rivera coming in to close the game, and even with a 6 out save, you can feel good about that. They had already scored an extra run that inning, so now Rivera has 2 runs to play with, and you give Mo 2 runs, you can feel pretty good. I’m sure the thinking was, “give him 3 runs, we can allow for a mistake, some bad luck, the quirkiest quirk ever. . .” With runners on first and second, trying to get the runner to third with 2 outs and get a good shot at getting that 3rd run in – rather than risk a DP – probably made some sense. Even I didn’t get all upset when Jeter tried to lay the bunt down like I usually do. I figured, “OK. I’m cool with trying to give Mariano that third run. If they do that, game’s over.”

Jeter was obviously more confident in his ability to get the bunt down than in staying out of a double play. And as against the bunt as I am, if it’s gonna be used, this is the time to use it, I’d say.

(One other point to consider, too: if he lays the bunt down, it doesn’t necessarily mean an out. The Phils are feeling the pressure knowing Mariano’s coming in. There’s always the chance of rushing the play, throwing to the wrong base, throwing the ball away, etc. which has happened this postseason already)

Not for Jeter, just an awful decision on his part, but I think it puts fear in the minds of the infileders. The Angels, the ANGELS, for goodness sakes, knocked themselves out of the playoffs by making consecutive errors on consecutive bunts in Game 6.
Major leaguers don’t see it that often nowadays, and the anticipation makes them tight. How many times a year do you see a highlight of a game where the pitcher or one of the infielders wings a throw down the outfield line?

Travis G, for you to even start a thread about Jeter is what is stupid. I mean REALLY stupid. I can’t remember the last time he made a mental mistake and anyone else would be hard pressed to do so also. He is the great Yankee of modern day era and you are critisizing him, and wasting your time and everyone elses, over a failed bunt attempt? He is perhaps the most unselfish player of alltime or at least in the top 10 and puts the game and the team ahead of his checkbook and you are bitching? How many times has we won a game or saved a game for our beloved team and you spend your time about one bunt? Why don’t you talk about Cano not hustling running out ground balls, or Posada always back-handing balls in the dirt instead of blocking them with his body, or Girardi making mistake after mistake, etc. You rather waste your time on a missed bunt? You entitle your column in big bold letters, " WTF WAS JETER THINKING"? Let me ask you, WTF WERE YOU THINKING" when you wrote this. I found your article about Jeter to be absolutely uncalled for, unwarranted, unjustified and totally disgusting.

Never said it was a smart move. Neither did Jeter. It simply isn’t worth the time talking about. Why don’t you write about scumbag Girardi, everyday, all day. He deserves it. How many times has he said he made a mistake? The answer is zero! Never heard you write anything negative about the chip on Cano’s shoulder or or his laziness and lack of hustle. That goes on every day! Pick on someone who deserves it. And if Jeter said it was stupid, wasn’t that enough for you? You need to write a column on it? How come you didn’t mention in the same article that Jeter was this year’s receipient of the Roberto Clemente award? Not newsworthy enough for you?

just curious… what is “tim” short for? I’m trying to think of a girl’s name that could be shortened to “tim” and can’t think of one.

Don’t worry. Nobody’s criticizing Jeter. I know it’s tough when you have a crush on someone and think people are attacking them…