Derek Jeter is perhaps that one name that is respected beyond the team lines. While he is a beloved figure for the New York Yankees, his stature with other teams’ fans isn’t much different. However, despite being a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer, Jeter sometimes gets referred to as being overrated. So, in an exclusive interview with EssentiallySports, former MLB player and former Kansas City Royals’ assistant pitching coordinator Jason Simontacchi shared his two cents on the matter.
Simontacchi parted ways with the Royals in 2022. He stayed there for five years and was the assistant pitching coordinator for three years. Before this, he was a part of the St. Louis Cardinals’ ecosystem. Simontacchi played parts of four seasons as a Major League pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals and Washington Nationals. Unfortunately, injuries always interrupted his highly promising career, but he did see Jeter up close. So it isn’t a surprise that he has a very nuanced take on Jeter’s career.
To be the captain of the star-studded Yankees dynasty of the 90s isn’t a minor feat. Cameras forever surrounded Jeter, and he had to bear the weight of massive expectations on his shoulders. But instead of faltering, the Yankees captain rose to the occasion. In an exclusive interview with EssentiallySports, Jason Simontacchi highly praised Jeter.
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You’re attracted to greatness, and you want to watch them play. And so with Jeter, it was. He was like a silent leader, right? He always led by example. And then with the scrutiny from the media, being in New York, having a clean slate that he did for all those years.” Simontacchi said about the leadership ability of Jeter.
Later, Simontacchi referred to the debate regarding the overall career of Jeter. Most agree that Jeter’s achievements are extraordinary, but some fans wonder if he was ever individually as good as he’s made out to be. To this, Simontacchi said, “You know, there’s people that argue, you read it on social media about like, well, was he really that good? And it’s like, you know what? He played that game at the highest level.”
Simontacchi continued, “At the pinnacle of our sport for a very, very long time, won championships, was the leader of the team, and gained, earned respect, probably by his play and probably who he was as a person.”
Toward the end of the EssentiallySports exclusive interview, the former Royals’ assistant pitching coordinator indicated Jeter as “one of the best ever to play the game.” While the debate regarding the individual brilliance of Jeter will continue, one can imagine from Simontacchi’s words the kind of respect that Jeter has from his peers. It’s only fitting, as after all, winning five World Series isn’t an ordinary feat.
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But while Simontacchi was all praises for his peer, he also talked about a new-gen superstar who stood against him in the ballpark last year.- Shohei Ohtani.
Derek Jeter and Shohei Ohtani – Simontacchi’s experience with the old and new gen
Simontacchi was the pitching and bench coach of team Italy that faced Samurai Japan in WBC 2023. During that game, he witnessed the frenzy and talent of Shotime. “Man, he was just electric…And when you see greatness and you know there’s a great player there… there’s just an instant respect.”
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In a way, Simontacchi has seen two greats as closely as one can see. He faced the yesteryear great Derek Jeter in 2003 and then the present great Ohtani in 2023. While Simontacchi had to face defeat in both instances, he nevertheless gained respect for these two greats. For a player who was troubled by injuries, Simontacchi knows what Ohtani is going through. Perhaps that’s why he wished, “hopefully he has a better year.” We wish he does.
