The love just keeps pouring in for New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter. Major League Baseball announced today that Jeter's jersey is still the biggest seller across all of baseball. Jeter was also recently voted the most popular Yankee of all time, besting legendary slugger Babe Ruth in a Siena College poll.
Not bad for a singles-hitting shortstop who can't field and has never won an MVP award. In all honesty, this is partially because Jeter is in the New York spotlight. Also, though, it has largely to do with the fact that he has always been a class act -- a guy who has always represented the city of New York and the sport of baseball the right way.
↵↵"It always feels good any time the fans respect how you play," Jeter said. "It's never something you think about, but you definitely take it as a huge compliment.
↵↵"It makes you feel proud, like you're doing something right," said Jeter, who grew up wearing a Dave Winfield jersey and "any Yankee" he could find. "I know my parents get extremely proud when they go to the games and they see kids wearing my jersey -- especially the younger kids who don't really know too much about baseball. It makes you feel as though the parents respect how you play."
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Behind Jeter, the top 10 selling jerseys are Twins catcher Joe Mauer, Philadelphia Phillies Roy Halladay, Chase Utley and Cliff Lee, Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols, Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton, Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia, Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez and Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum.
↵The second 10 are Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira, Braves outfielder Jason Heyward, Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg, Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun, Twins first baseman Justin Morneau, Red Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler, Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard, Giants catcher Buster Posey and Rays third baseman Evan Longoria.