Derek Jeter Rebuffs Skip Bayless

ESPN’s Skip Bayless is having a hard time believing that 38 year old New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter could be hitting .324 and leading the American League in hits at this stage of the season.  While not coming right out and saying it, Bayless insinuated on ESPNs “First Take” that Jeter may be taking performance enhancing drugs to be having such a good year.  “They all said he was washed up…you would have to have your head in the sand or your head somewhere else not to at least wonder ‘How is he doing this?’”

When told about Bayless’ remarks, Jeter seemed resigned to the fact that in light of recent events, he or anyone else will be subject to scrutiny.  In the last week, Melky Cabrera of the Giants and Bartolo Colon of the Oakland Athletics both received 50 game suspensions for having abnormally high testosterone levels. Jeter then suggested that maybe Bayless should be tested.

Jeter is definitely having a better 2012 season compared to 2011, when he got off to a very slow start and was limited to 131 games due to injuries.  Still, he finished with a .297 batting average, not all that far behind his lifetime mark of .313.  He has 13 home runs compared to his career low of just six last year, and he’ll probably finish this season with perhaps 16 or 18 which is about average for him but well below his career highs of 23 and 24.  While Jeter is having a bit of a resurgence, his numbers in themselves aren’t out of line for a player his age who is in good physical condition.