Jeter is a more effective offensive player

The NYISO operates NewYorks bulk electricity grid, administers the states wholesale electricitymarkets, and provides comprehensive reliability planning for states bulkelectricity system. The New York Independent System OperatorKen Klapp, 518-356-6253 Copyright Business Wire 2009. There have been many outlandish claims made when comparing the relative merits of baseball players, but to conclude that Johnny Damon is in the same league as Derek Jeter is as graphic an example of specious reasoning as baseball fans have ever heard.The only way to accept the claim is to facetiously state that they are in the same league because they are both American Leaguers. It Hurts Johnny Damon's Case To give Johnny Damon a long-term contract borders on insanity. Comparing Johnny to Derek Jeter only weakens his position.Jeter is a more effective offensive player. The second greatest shortstop in baseball history (see Honus Wagner, Pittsburgh Pirates) had a better batting average and a better on base percentage, while Johnny hit more home runs and out-slugged Jeter.

Comparing Offensive Production This past season, Derek Jeter batted .334, which was the third best average in the American League, behind Ichiro Suzuki's .352 and Joe Mauer's .365.Johnny Damon batted .282, which was 41st best in the league. Johnny Damon hit 24 home runs, which was 32nd best in the league, while Derek Jeter hit 18 home runs, which was 50th best in the league. Derek Jeter's .406 on base average was third best in the league.Johnny Damon finished 26th with a .365 on base average.Johnny Damon finished 16th in slugging with a .489 mark Derek Jeter finished 34th in slugging with a .465 average. Among major league shortstops, only Hanley Ramirez, who batted .342, out hit Derek Jeter. Among shortstops, only National Leaguers Troy Tulowitzski (32), Hanley Ramirez (24), and Jimmy Rollins ( 21) hit more home runs than Derek Jeter.

Sixteen major league outfielders topped Damon's 24 home runs. Hanley Ramirez (.410) was the only shortstop with a better on base percentage than Derek Jeter. More than 30 outfielders had a better on base average than Johnny Damon. Troy Tulowitzki (.552), Hanley Ramirez (.543) and Jason Bartlett (.490) out-slugged Derek Jeter.More than 30 outfielders had a higher slugging average than Johnny Damon.