Derek Jeter’s defensive flaws have been widely discussed in the alternative-baseball media for over a year now. The Newark Star Ledger has a piece this morning about Jeter’s fatal flaw. Michael Hoban, a 67-year old mathematics professor at Monmouth University, conducted a study ranking shortstops defense and Jeter finsihed dead last:

“I’m the worst?” Jeter said when confronted with the numbers. “I don’t think I would say that. But I couldn’t really care less what some mathematical equation comes out with.”

…”How to you rank defensive shortstops?” Jeter said. “I don’t see how a formula can evaluate how somebody plays.

“You get a strikeout pitcher on the mound as opposed to a ground-ball pitcher, it’s going to affect the statistics you use to evaluate defense. So I don’t really think you can.”

What did you expect Jeter to say? “You’re right, I am the worst defensive shortstop in baseball.” Like Ralph Kramden once declaired: “I got my pride.” Regardless, Jete’s comments should be fodder for his detractors. Let the bashing continue.