How does a player become a champion? Is it by the number of championships or the impact he creates in the game? While the current crop of players gets mostly evaluated through their championships, the MLB legend Alex Rodriguez thinks otherwise. A-Rod thinks a tough guy ready for any situation and who brings out his best during the clutch moments is what a champion looks like. Talking about clutch moments and not mentioning “The Captain”? Yes, the father of clutch moments, Derek Jeter! So, does Rodriguez consider Jeter the best player the MLB ever had?

Remember the iconic dive of Jeter to the stand? In 2004 in a game against the Red Sox, Jeter took a sprint to catch the hit by Trot Nixon. He took it but ended up crashing into the stands. Well, that’s not all to define Jeter’s tough character. Rodriguez added, “So I go into the stands and I am looking at his face, I see blood everywhere. But the best part of the story is the next day, Jeter said I need to play today and he’s all taped up and sure enough he plays the next day.” Yes, Jeter played again on the next day with his chin taped up. 

That’s what a champion looks like according to A-Rod. “This story reminds me of why Derek Jeter is one of the all-time greats. It’s not just for the stats, it’s not just for the five championships, this is one of the toughest sons of a gun I’ve ever seen. He did not miss one pitch, one inning, one game. That’s a sign of a real champion.” While winning a championship is a team game, being tough on the field is what defines a champion.

5x World Series, 5x Silver Slugger, and 14x All-Star may define the achievements of Derek Jeter, but not his tough characteristics. The impact Jeter created on the field is what the teams, especially the Yankees are still looking for from the current crop of players. While there are few names projected to be the next Derek Jeter, the hunt is still on. 

The contention to be the next Derek Jeter is still on

Well, Derek Jeter cannot be replaced. However, the Yankees slugger Aaron Judge is long projected as the next Jeter. He scored 45 home runs, more than 100 RBIs, and an on-base percentage of more than .400 last season. Thus, he has proven his ability on the field. However, by his age-30 season, Jeter had competed for six pennant winners and four world champions, which is Judge’s present age. Judge is yet to get a ring with the Yankees. Even if the championship can be kept aside, Judge’s impact on the field especially in the regular season can be compared to Jeter. 

The rookie Gunnar Henderson from the Orioles is also projected to match Derek Jeter. As per the insiders, Henderson might have a comparable effect on the Orioles due to his versatility and ability to contribute in several ways. Henderson, like Jeter, is a player who will provide the club with whatever it needs, be it a clutch hit, a defensive play, or a stolen base, according to former Mets GM, Steve Phillips. Moreover, Henderson is a great hitter. Remember his monster 462-foot homer against the Royals in 2023? For both Judge and Henderson, it’s all projections, and still too early to conclude them as Jeter 2.0.

Even though new players can get ahead of Jeter in terms of stats and championships, Jeter will always remain the king of clutch moments.

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