Joe Girardi says that Derek Jeter will lead off this year and Johnny Damon will hit second. One reason the Yanks are giving is that Jeter hit into more double-plays last year than Damon. Nothing against Damon, but couldn't the reason Jeter hit into more double plays simply be because he was hitting No. 2 and Damon was leading off? It's pretty hard to hit into a double-play when there's nobody on base.
3 comments:
As Mike pointed out to me, even if the batting order only went Damon and then Jeter once a game last year, in the first inning, that's still about 162 at bats a year that Damon came up with nobody on base. But he can also bunt, and steal, and he has some pop, so we'll see how it goes. Jeter's a team guy. He won't care. - Mel
Not sure it really matters all that much. Damon has more power so it just might work out.
I don't have a problem with Jeter leading off. He does not strike out too often and is capable of getting the bat on the ball. However, he does lack the speed that Damon has. The one thing the Yankees lack is that speedy leadoff hitter that has a knack for getting on. The last one they had was Chuck Knobloch. If Cody Ransom proves that he can hit with some consistancy, we may see him get a shot at that leadoff position.
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