Who the hell cares! What a dumb article.

Fair enough, Bill, but something tells me that if this was A-Rod, there would be stories in every New York paper about his image consciousness, disingenuousness, etc. Why doesn't Jeter get the same treatment? He's just as much about the P.R. He just happens to be better at it. Usually.

I'm a yankee hater deluxe and even I can't seem to get behind bashing them on this one - who cares!

Do you really get paid to write this trash? Do you call yourself a journalist?

Stir the pot, Craig. Stir the pot.

Tom: if you see an inaccurate assertion or conclusion in this post, feel free to point it out. As it is, the facts are as follows:

1. Derek Jeter told the New York Times last January that he took the Joe DiMaggio sign.

2. Last night, the Yankees "awarded" Jeter with the Joe DiMaggio sign. I'm not suggesting this is Watergate, but there is certainly an inconsistency there that has not been explained.

And no, I don't call myself a "journalist." I call myself Craig, and I have every right to comment on what happens in the news that you do. If I'm wrong about this, explain why. If it's simply a matter of you thinking that this is unimportant, hey, that's great. There are over a dozen posts a day on this site, and I'm sure one to your liking will come along eventually.

Ha...this is great.

I have never 'Left a comment" before.. Dude, this is the dumbest article I have ever read..

They used to call Ronald Regan the "Teflon" president because none of the bad things that went on around him would stick to him. I think Jeter might be the Teflon baseball player.

What was the point of these gifts, anyway? Shouldn't everything in YankeeLand be focused on winning everything instead more self-congratulatory ceremonies? It's as if the Yankees, being by and large a rather bland and hard-to-hate team this year (except A-Rod, of course), want to do the sort of "hey, look at the greatness of us" things that would make me root against them even if I weren't a Mets fan.

Also, that rubber can't possibly be from Citi Field. Mo didn't immediately rupture six tendons just touching it.

That 'Ryan' poster is a real jerk. Yellow

How stupid can you get. How much do you have to pay to get this rubbish printed? Do everyone a favor and get lost.

GREATEST. POST. EVER.

Pulitzer time, baby.

David -- why is it rubbish? I can see how someone may think it unimportant in the grand scheme of things, but the facts are pretty clear: Jeter was asked about the sign back in January and he said he stole it. As of last night, that's apparently not true. Do you dispute this, or do you simply not like it when someone suggests that Derek Jeter has none something that is less than noble?

Maybe I'm splitting hairs here, or maybe I also like getting the ire of Yankee fans, but isn't old Yankee Stadium and said artifacts within old Yankee Stadium property of the city of NY and thus the Tax Payers? I mean, when you look at it from this perspective, Derek Jeter and other Yankees have stolen from the fine citizens of the City of New York. I fully expect Bloomberg and Cuomo to put together a blue ribbon panel to investigate this perpetration of intent to defraud the citizens of the City of New York.

Well, considering that they've sewn up HFA throughout the playoffs, are getting their regulars the rest they need and seem to have their rotation lined up, I'm not quite sure what you'd rather be doing. They're the freaking Yankees, of course there's going to be self-aggrandizement. Although knowing Mo, I'd think he'd rather be presented with the pitch K-Rod walked him on. RBI #1 meant a heck of a lot more to him than Save #500... not that either is relevant at all.

Oh, and A-Rod's pretty much been the definition of bland and hard to hate this season. Joba? Hateable. Bruney? Possibly hateable. Swisher? I could see it, though I love the guy to death? But A-Rod? Any hatred towards him could only be for past transgressions, not anything he's done this season.

Stupidest article ever....NBC SPORTS - FIRE THIS GUY!!! What a freakin' moron. This article is so wickedly bad that as a Red Sox fan, I am defending Jeter! Go back to journalism school Craig - worthless piece of crap.

This just shows that Derek Jeter is a despicable human being. Any fan who roots for this infectious pile of human waste is likewise a horrible person.

Seems Yankee Fans are getting all riled up in anticipation of their annual post season collapse. Saint Derek is in the running for MVP runnerup and your heresy is not acceptable at this sensitive moment. After a wonderful season they are all checking the career post season stats of Sabathia- and then they look at AROD, and good god, you're picking on Jeter. In a Blog? Rubbish.

This is blasphemy!

CC for troll of the year? You have my vote

/popcorn

I am upset that the minute I took to read this article...I will never get back. He gets paid for this?

So maybe the Yankees had intended to give the sign to Jeter before he took it- they told him and he agreed to "accept" it as an award.
Compared to the lies righty politicians and bankers, and hedge funders, and derivitive guys tell this is nothing. God just doesn't give a damn about Jeter's lie but everyone should be concerned about the evil people holding our money.

Craig, are you a Boston fan???? I know this economy is in limbo but if that's the best idea you can come up with, I pity you. Why no article when Jeter surpassed DiMaggio?? Sounds like a Boston fan who doesn't have a leg to stand on......YANKEES ARE BACK!!!!!!

Love the fact that Yankee fans are so sensitive to shots at Jeter. It's probably unfair to point out that in addition to being a liar and a thief, he hasn't won a World Series ring in this millenium.

I'm also pretty sure he was on the Grassy Knoll in 1963.

There is nothing any Yankee hater can do or say to ruin this year.
If the Yankees win it will be "They bought a Championship"
If they lose the clowns will be laughing "All that money and they still lose"
The Yankees are the best team in baseball and have strong pitching going into the playoffs.
Yankees rule !!!!!!!!

Craig - get a real job cuz this blogging this clearly is not going to work out for you.

Disclaimer - I'm not a Yankee fan.

Considering Jeter's numerous contributions throughout his respectable career in NY, he could have had a construction crew come in in the middle of the night to pull out the entire dugout and be rebuilt in his living room, sans any permission from the front office, and he'd be justified.

If asked directly, he'd no doubt laugh in your face, and, like the straight-up guy he is, admit to the mix-up, and then tell you to kindly get stuffed.

This article is pointless. Let's move on...

that is one of the dumbest articles i have ever read in any sport

the Yankees are a first class orgaization and Derek has always been 1st class as well.......... to report on such nonsense is ridiculous

Craig, Maybe Jeter felt bad about having stolen it, because if it was reported in the papers then everyone already knew, and he had the Yankee's gift it to him. Are you that hard up to prove Jeter is a bad person that this is the best you can come up with. I'm sure there is and will be plenty of stuff missing from the old stadium. More important than that is if this is the most important assignment you have you may want to consider a job change, do you want fries with that.

Way to dig up the truth, Craig. Seriously. Jeter stole the sign last year, then gave it back so that they could "award" it to him.

Reminds me of the scene in Princess Bride - its "the most pathetic thing I've ever heard."

Do you seriously call yourself a journalist? This is the most pathetic article I have ever read, especially about bashing a player. Go back to journalism class...

this is mind-numbingly dumb. And, you're about 3 years too late on the why-doesn't-jeter-get-the-same-treatment-as-A-rod train. if you're going to recycle real journalists ideas, choose something interesting. you're not a sports reporter, you're a gossip columnist.

We have met "the Ambulance chaser of journalism."

No, he calls himself a lawyer, a Shyster, and a baseball fan. Pretty sure Craig never went to J-school, which is fine considering he's not a journalist.

Craig, get a life. Even in Redsox Nation this is pure stupidity. If you can't report on something of substance then get a new job. I hope no one paid you for this article.

This is the the biggest waste of 30 seconds ive ever experienced in my life, i promise you i will never read this blog or whatever it is considered again nor will you ever see another post from me. Just because you have an opinion doesnt mean you need to share it with the world, this is completely useless garbage.

I cant believe I just spent the last 10 min. reading this article and reading the posts. Im disappointed and disgusted with myself.

Is Derek Jeter a liar or a thief?

When people see that title they may expect something of consequence.

Reading your post was a total waste of time which I will not repeat.

It's funny that you all think that I "call myself a journalist." I don't. I'm a lawyer by trade, blogger by avocation.

As a lawyer, one of the key parts of the job is to point out when a person says or does something that is inconsistent witht the facts on the ground. That's all I've done here, and no one -- absolutely no one -- has suggested that either of the two facts contained in this post are wrong. To wit: (1) that Jeter said he stole the sign; and (2) that, despite this, Jeter was awarded the sign last night.

I don't care if he did steal the sign. Pretty ballsy move, actually, the above comment about it technically being city property notwithstanding. But that doesn't change the fact that point (1) and point (2) don't matchup.

Not knowing anything else about this situation (and really wanting to know, so if you have info, plase share) it appears that one of two things happened (a) Jeter was trying to sound like a badass last year, saying that he took a famous sign when he really didn't in an effort to try to inherit some of DiMaggio's karmic goodwill (see, Wells, David and his Babe Ruth obsession); or (b) Jeter already had the sign yet still allowed the Yankees to give him a ceremony.

Neither of those things makes Jeter evil. Neither of those things make me hate Jeter. In fact, I kind of like him (and to be clear, I'm a Braves fan, not a Sox fan). What it does do, however, is shows him to be involved -- one way or the other -- in some calculated P.R./image enhancement, the sort of which A-Rod is always hated on for doing and which everyone always says Jeter never does.

Well, that's not true. We can argue whether it matters, but unless you admit that Jeter is shockingly not immune from playing the image game, you're ignoring the facts.

Craig
Find a real job. Now does all of this really matter?

This is the best you could do? Apparently it is not an issue with the Yankees organization, who would be the victim. Get over it and write some real news.

Wow, I'm not sure what it is specifically (I could figure it out if I wanted to waste more time), but yeah I agree with everypne else. This is a fairly awful piece of writing. I am saddened that I have spent so much time on it, the reviews, and the words I am writing now. PS baseball sucks.

This may be one of the most pointless things I have ever seen on the internet. I think I lost some IQ points reading this post and the responses to it.

craig:

ive never been tempted to leave a reply on these boards before...

but for everyone's sake - quit journalism.

In regards to your playing lawyer when expressing why you would write such a blog, take this into consideration:

I think you are ignoring the facts. Everyone thinks this story is silly and a waste of blogging space. Those are the facts.

I've never felt the need to post before either.

What an idiotic way to title this "news" item. You're a joke fella.

All I can add to this conversation is if you truly are a "lawyer" by trade, I pity your clients. Please inform us ALL on your take on OJ Simpson....do you feel he was innocent as well?....oh wait, if it doesn't fit, you must acquit, i forgot....GO BRAVES......HA HA

I hate the Yankers also but.....who cares!!! Not worth it!!!

You really have nothing better to do in your life then to write this stupid article. Stick to your day job, if you're any good at that.

Is "Craig Calcaterra" another nom de plume for "Perez Hilton"? Who are you, really?

this guy craig is definately got somebody BSed into thinking he is worth keeping on the payroll...I know for a fact I could out write, and out think, this moron...I'll go one step further than that...If craigs boss is out there, get back to me, (you have my email) and what ever you are paying this loser, I will work for half of what he is compensated! This guy is a joke, if this is the best he can do...I've been following his column for a while now and he has to go...Give it up Craig, your'e probably a really nice guy, just in the wrong profession.

I never left a comment before anywhere on articles but this is hands down the biggest waste of space I have ever read. I want to congratulate you for getting paid (I hope for your sake) for this garbage.

You should go to work with a mask on, it'll feel better when your taking their money for nothing.

Craig is not a journalist. If you guys are going to attack him, attack the fact that its a pointless story by a BLOGGER, not journalist. Also, with all your "your need to be fired" posts to CRAIGS BLOG, your giving him hits, and increasing the likelihood he WONT be fired. Craig, your articles are not top notch, but for once, unfortunately, your right. You pointed out the facts and morons can't seem to get that. And tell me again, your a blogger right...or journalist...or lawyer...or blogger...or blogger...or blogger...

All I know is I was stuck in traffic on the bridge and again on River Ave and missed the whole pregame festivities. Regardless of whether Jeter did or not take the sign, the whole pre game was still a classy way to reward those three players for their accomplishments. Considering what Jeter has brought to this team since 96, I am sure the Yankee organization had no problem with it.

and these sports writers wonder why athletes hate them?
God, what a pathetic loser Craig Calcaterra is!

Why not just admit you're jealous and regain SOME measure of credibility?

Are you kidding me? This is the "news" story your writing about? What a waste of ink!!

Guys,

Articles like this (if you can actually call it an 'article') are designed to do one thing, and one thing only; create some kind of controversy, however small, in order to attract attention. The more attention it (and things like it) gets, the more they can charge for advertising.

The best thing you can do to eliminate this kind of trashy, mindless journalism is to ignore it. Of course, by making this comment, I have violated my own advice. Rats.

56 comments and no one has yet disputed either of the facts in this post or explained how they go together without there being some form of disingenuity on the part of Jeter or the Yankees.

As for the "who cares" criticism, I'll gladly admit that this is meaningless if no one ever again writes about how A-Rod is all calculation and image while Jeter is 100% genuine. Fact is, they're both human. Nothing wrong with pointing that out, especially given how rarely it's pointed out in the case of Jeter.

What a waste of time! By the fact that Mr. Calcaterra admits to being a lawyer by trade TOTALLY JUSTIFIES all those bad lawyer jokes. The headline of the article is totally misleading, and should only have been used on April 1st.

We are watching a true Hall of Famer in action. I cannot wait for Derek to join the 3,000 hit club.

What's misleading about the headline, Pilothawkeye? It's apparent from the article: either Jeter stole the sign or he lied about stealing the sign. Stealing = thievery, and one who steals is, by definition, a thief. One who lies is, by definition a liar.

I think it's pretty apt.

Like Jim said in a early post, this is the reason why sports writers always get guff from athletes...Of all the people to attack you go after the one guy in baseball who stands out as being a good leader and person who represents his franchise to the fullest.

What a waste.

You actually took the time to write this? They actually gave you the space to post it! Amazing! There are no words.......

Craig, we're almost out of internet and you waste space with this?! OMGYOUAREEVIL.

When you are brain dead for a day, please don't write anything. We will not care, I promise.

You're calling Jeter a liar and/or a thief....um, isn't that liable? You don't know any of the details, or did you contact the Yankee front office? I see you have a list of anti Yankee blogs.... what's that about? Did your daddy beat you as a child while wearing the Mick's jersey or something? Let me guess, you're the kid that was always picked last for the team, is that it? Maybe you suffer from Minka envy. In any case, the constant Yankee bashing undermines what little credibility you have as a cyber "blogger"
Are you going to suggest that we all boycott Skippy Peanut Butter, Ford, or Nike now?

Also, considering your ilk's need for blood from these althletes, who could blame any of them for being "calculated" when dealing with your kind?

Of all the things to write about...you could have jumped on board the Milton Bradley Express or maybe the Tony Romo Haters Bandwagon but you jumped on a guy who is a professional in sports who has played years for the same team and made his mark in the sport. If your going to go after him for taking a sign from his old employment office then go after regular people for taking their name tags when they leave a company...It's a sign who cares, if you were gonna write about him stealing money or stealing merchandise then that's different...

When you are brain dead for a day, please don't write anything. We will not care, I promise.

Craig - BLOG all you want. This is hysterical. The fact that there are 60 comments (as of me writing) is great. All the negative comments towards you are completely uncalled. Another reason to hate yankee fans. Oh and BTW - I couldn't care less about what Jeter stole (or didn't steal).

Jim, I'm going to go out on a limb and guess you can't be held "liable" for libel that is undeniably true...which it is, unless you can see a situation where he somehow didn't steal it but wasn't lying when he said he did steal it.

I demand the return of the fifteen seconds it took me to read this.

After reading this I can now go on with my day!

Who pays this guy and how do I get a job to write stuff like this?

haha, these blogs are becoming a bigger and bigger waste of time. This coming from a sox fan.

I agree. Waste of space.

Is it really that slow in sports news? or are you finding things to write about so that you dont get laid off? Either one I can work with, but seriously there has to be other things to write about???

Who in the Hell cares, what is guven to Him. My friend when you
reach that kind of Greatness u r entitled to get Rewarded for your
success. So when you personally achieve what He did, come back to
me and tell me you don't deserve to be rewarded as He is?

Dumb article. Get a life.

Jeff said it best ... "who cares?"

Who in the Hell cares, what is given to Him. My friend when you
reach that kind of Greatness u r entitled to get Rewarded for your
success. So when you personally achieve what He did, come back to
me and tell me you don't deserve to be rewarded as He is?

IT'S A PLASTIC SIGN! The quote itself is what's important. Are you honestly going to tell me that you think the Yankees couldn't get another one made?

I wonder how many of the "Who cares?" and "waste of space" crowd are the same people who flipped out on Craig during the Jeter passes Gehrig nonsense. And I'm sure they'll be around next time Craig dares say anything negative about Cap'n Jetes.

This goes to show you that america is going down the tubes.When a moron who claims to be a journalist writes a piece of garbage article becasue he cant think of a more interesting story.. maybe it is time to downsize the staff at nbcsports,if they cant find a more newsworthy story for us to enjoy!!!! TERRIBLE

The biggest news that came from this blog is that Craig Calcaterra writes nonsense articles who no one cares about. You know what, if Jeter did take it or lie GOOD FOR HIM! He has done so much more for this world then to deserve this kind of writing.

If this were about A-ROD, Manny, Ortiz, Icharo, Bonds, Marris, Mantle or even Pete Rose the article would still stink and be truly meaningless. Find something sports worthy to write.

Figures a lawyer would find such trash to point out. You must be a marital atty.

Craig,

Did you think to write about the alternative questions why the old sign, with its historical importance, was not transferred to New Yankee Stadium or sent to Cooperstown? No problem with you trying to assert Jeter is either lying or stealing, if you view that as newsworthy, but how about a complete story?

Tom

OMGZ! DA YANKS ARE DA BEST AND YOUS CANT WRITE FOR CRAP! POOP ON ALL JETER HATERZ!!!

I can tell your gay and the female my wife says dumb shit thats how I know

Craig,
As a lawyer, isn't it also pertinent to ask ALL the questions? Why isn't the sign in New Yankee Stadium? Why isn't the sign in Cooperstown? Why wasn't the sign given to Reggie Jackson or George Steinbrenner?
Tom

Whats the price of rice?

I'll bet Joltin Joe did a few shenanagins as a Yankee. Jeter is probably the classiest Yank since DiMaggio, he would've wanted Derek to have the sign.

You know I love you Craig. The question I'm left with here is, "Why does everyone posting here care so much?" As you know, I'm a Red Sox fan, and you've spent a good portion of time hammering my team too. So maybe I just don't feel what the drooling masses seem to feel.

I thought the article was pretty much in line with stuff usually written about on CTB. And it is an interesting question that I'd like to see answered - honestly, I'd guess that he DID steal it, and then gave it back with the understanding that he'd be "awarded it" at a later time.

This kind of reminds me of the way much political discourse has gone lately too - if it's against your side it proves you are wrong and you suck and you lie! If it's against my side, shut up who cares move on you're a terrible writer.

Obviously you cared enough about the article to take the time and "waste the space" to comment on it.

it doesn't matter who you are a fan of this article was the most blatant waste of space and time ever! He isn't a journalist, he IS a lawyer, he is a blogger blah blah blah.....so he is really pitiful at journalism as has been noted and equally bad as a blogger! I can understand criticism for this being poor journalism but if I were this bad at blogging too I would give that up as well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Your a retard.

Here is a question.......What type of lawyer is Craig?? You have the nerve to post these comments about Jeter.....yet you yourself could even be a defensive lawyer representing ALL of the theives and liars in this ENTIRE world. I guess you need to pay the bills somehow....by the way....why is it that youre not working again????

Craig, It sounds as though you don't have any real dirt on Derek. He is a good guy and people respect him. He doesn't get arrested, caught with drugs, no drinking in public, molesting women, shooting guns in clubs, no dog fighting, no steroids, no DUI's etc. He obviously wanted that sign because he believes in the message. He probably asked for the sign and the powers that be wanted to offically present it to him with gratutude for being a loyal member of the team all these years. He is proud of the team he works for, as wanting that sign shows, so what is really wrong with that? With your headline, you made yourself sound petty and mean for no apparent reason.

This is what comes to fruition when a lawyer writes a blog. Maybe you should get a "blog"-aide to go along with all the legal aides :)

Tom -- I didn't find those to be pertinent questions. While there may be an argument that the city owns the sign, if they don't, the Yankees do and they can do whatever they want with it. There's no law that says cool stuff has to go to Cooperstown, and if you're going to give the sign to anyone, I think Jeter is probably the best living choice, really. Jackson spent many years (including his best years) with other teams. Steinbrenner already has been rewarded plenty for his relatively meager investment.

Also, there's a new sign -- really more of giant letters bolted on a wall in the New Yankee Stadium clubhouse -- with the same DiMaggio quote.

Why in God's name did ESPN link this trash?

All I can say is Thank God he made Derek Jeter a Yankee!

I'm glad I know your name. I know I'd never hire you to do legal work. How did you ever get through law school?

Just what the world needed-more talk about Derek Jeter.

Is all this preparatory to the (almost) annual post-season default setting camera shots of Jeter staring impassively while the Yankees lose yet another post-season series?

Ooops. My mistake. It was MSNBC that linked it. That explains a lot.

Still a worthless article with nothing more than a sensational title.

Craig: I enjoyed this article. The headline is a little on the sensational side, but the content is interesting. I think you should have included some of the things you ended up putting in the comments (especially comment 40) in the article itself to clarify your position, because the haters obviously don't read the comments. For the record, though, I always took the article as just a tidbit of information, not a serious attack on Jeter.

To all who didn't get that: I think rob g said it best (comment 37). I hope he takes his own advice. As for being a waste of space, the Internet is not paper.

"Craig, your articles are not top notch, but for once, unfortunately, your right. You pointed out the facts and morons can't seem to get that. And tell me again, your a blogger right."

It is so nice when someone calls others morons, yet speaks like one himself. Your failing English grade was due to the above 'moronic' gaffes. You said, "unfortunately, your right." Well, genius, it should be, "unfortunately, (you are or you're) right. You do it again in the last sentence. The word, 'your' means possessive. Yes, others are the morons. For the record, Craig is not right. Lawyers do not look for truth. Lawyers look to win and that is why people have such a low opinion of them. The truth is always the first casualty in the legal profession.

Your a retard.

Haha, irony!

People love to hate on blogs, its a ten second article. I find it interesting that the people who say what a waste of time actually waste time by posting "what a waste of time, lol" I actually found Rivera's gifts both interesting and deserving. I like to see the ball club give back to players. Its Yankee history which should be in the Hall of Fame so I hope that Rivera donates it to the Hall after a while. The Jeter thing is funny if he got caught lying but he probably took it and then they just gave it to him. All baseball historic items hopefully find there way into some Hall whether it be local or the HoF.

I can't believe I just wasted a half hour to read this article! It's such a big a waste of time and bits I'm going to take time out of my busy day to pontificate here about the author of the blog and the article itself! What a bum! Ooh yea, and I will now include the requisite I am a Sox fan and even I don't see the point of dredging this up...and did I mention we're no fans of Jeeter up here in New England!! (there - that adds extra credibility to this op-ed on an op-ed clearly meant to shake Yankee fan cages).
Yours truly,
WH

another 90 seconds of my life wasted and I won't get it back.
And another 30 seconds wasted commenting. Isn't irony great?

Wow, give that man the Pulitzer prize. Tremendous investigative reporting!

Investigative Journalism at it's best! Great job Craig now get a life.

What's next - a shock horror probe expose about the time Jeter farted in the clubhouse in 2006? Craig, there's no there there and you're making yourself look like a petty hater.

Your understanding of our legal system is shameful. "Looking for truth" was never the job of lawyers, and it is not supposed to be. A lawyer's job is to present evidence; the judge's and jury's job is to look for "truth" amidst what is often a complex set of facts and evidence. Our legal system operates under the assumption that everyone deserves a vigorous defense, and it is a lawyer's job to provide them with that defense. It is not a lawyer's job to decide what the "truth" is.

If you think that this is a problem, then you should also have a problem with people in nearly every profession--including professional athletes, plumbers, salesmen, office managers, computer programmers, etc. Truth is the profession of philosophers and theologians, and if you think that everyone else whose job involves something less esoteric is worthy of disdain, then I'm afraid that you are sadly deluded.

I love when you bait morons, Craig.

WI would hope that Jeter or the Yankees are planning to reimburse or have reimbursed the city of New York for the approximate value of the sign. Pay for some school lunches or pothole repair or a new subway car or something. Because otherwise Jeter or the Yankees (if they did not get prior permission from the city) did commit theft (potentially grand theft, I'd assume, given the presumed value of the artifact). After all, we can't just take park benches out of Central Park and relocate them to our living rooms. This would not be a big deal if the team or Jeter would work with the city to work out some kind of acceptable payment, instead of just assuming they had the right to take city property (admit it, Yankee apologists, doesn't the DiMaggio/Jeter Scholarship for Underprivileged Youth have a nice ring to it? The winner gets college tuition and tickets to a Yankees game in the good seats).

I seem to remember hearing a story about the Yankees making Jeter give the sign back. Maybe they decied he could have it after all? Not sure if I heard that or if I'm thinking of the giant bat he supposedly wanted to keep.

Bueller?

Is Derek Jeter a liar or a thief?
Or is Craig Calcaterra a douche or a moron?

Craig, are you an idiot. It may have been the "House that Ruth Built", but in it's last active years it was certainly the "House that Jeter Fills". I doubt that there would have been a eyelash batted by anyone had Derek Jeter dared take ANYTHING out of the old Yankee Stadium. Without question, Jeter had earned that right.

You, on the other hand, have earned nothing in publishing blurbs such as this one. When you decide to bash someone, don't go after a legend whose shoes you can never imagine to fill.

Mac

Craig,

Granted you have a point, he stole the stuff, probably. Did the Yankees report it; NO and they wouldn't. So they had a Night for each of those ballplayers. If this is the worst thing he has done, my gosh, give us a BREAK.
If they are paying to write this type of dribble, you should be fired. This is NOT news. You seem to be stirring up stuff or trying to.

I could write a blog better than you sir.

Exactly how does one earn the right to steal public property, Mac?

I see that you commentors are all wearing your striped matching "Derek-J-is-a-cool-guy" t-shirts today. Precious.

"This goes to show you that america is going down the tubes."

LOL...YES, it's the evidence we've all been waiting for! Written in lemon juice on the back of the Constitution it cautioned about EXACTLY this event that has brought us to the precipice.

You've cracked the mystery and illuminated the downfall of America (though with a capital A!) that we can all now avoid by challenging the very notion that a poster/sign was taken before it was given or lied about. Call Commissioner Gordon...er no, call Commissioner Selig & tell him to show the Batboy sign in Metropolis before it's too late! Say it ain't so - Mr October are you FOR America or against it? Step up to the plate, dig in, and confess your sin.

Or, is frank rizzo a pee-face or a poop-head?

Public Property?

do you actually get paid for this? The blogs that are written making fun of you are a million times better than this dumb article. we should all get paid for the time we wasted making fun of you

Whoever wrote this article is a Red Sox lover and if your name is really Craig, well Craig you are an idiot! Derek Jeter rules and you will never have a girlfriend! Done!

Just curious, Craig... what's the record for the greatest number of idiotic responses to a post? This one has GOT to be getting close.

we should all get paid for the time we wasted making fun of you

Then I want to get paid for making fun of you ;-p

As Craig pointed out, dayton, Old Yankee Stadium was owned by the city of New York.

Craig - You're an imbecile.

Exactly where is your empirical proof that a crime was committed? Until all the facts are known, you are slandering and accusing a man who has not shown any indication of being dishonest. Why doesn't Craig use his insider advantage and find out for all of us?

Dear God, the comments are just getting funnier. Most of the people taking Craig's headline seriously can't or won't dispute the substance of what he noted -- the stories are inconsistent on their face.

Does it matter? Probably not, but the Yankee fans seem unable to handle the slightest criticism of the Captain. Craig better not point out that Jeter can't walk on water -- he might get stoned for his heresy.

Wow, and I thought the Jon and Kate hype was straight out of douchebag heaven. This takes the cake.

TCM, The city of New York didn't own yankee personal property

"I see that you commentors are all wearing your striped matching "Derek-J-is-a-cool-guy" t-shirts today. Precious."

This from a man who picks poop-balls off his butthairs and eats them while making fun of Jerry Jones for picking his nose on TV. Just because we don't see it doesn't mean it is not disgusting.

I must have missed the part of the article where Craig accused "The Captain" of denying the holocaust and knocking birds nests out of trees for good chuckles.
Get your heads out of you posteriors people. Its just enetertainment. I hope your whole lives do not consist of Derek Derek Derek.

129 comments and counting. This is entertainment at it's best.

Craig

This is right up there with accusing the kid next door of illegally riding his bicycle on the sidewalk, and then doggedly insisting that others might not think it important but, dammit, he DID IT.

In the 50+ years I've been watching baseball, I have never seen a classier man play the game than Derek Jeter. And, no, this isn't hero worship - I am long past that, both chronologically and attitudinally.

To go after him on something as childish as this makes you look less like an intelligent sports commentator and more like Captain Queeg desperately trying to prove that the mess crew ate some strawberries. Even if you're right, who cares?

"TCM, The city of New York didn't own yankee personal property"

Personal property or Yankee property? Or is this a possession (by the guy who filched it) is 9/10ths of the law hand wave?

We The People demand answers!!

"Craig, your articles are not top notch, but for once, unfortunately, your right. You pointed out the facts and morons can't seem to get that. And tell me again, your a blogger right..."

i happen to love when one person calls a whole group of people morons, and then can't manage to use the right form of "you're" and "your"

idiot.

Craig can't find a real story to detract from Jeter, so he has to make a mountain out of a mole hill. He's an above average hitting shortstop, not the best; an above average fielding shortstop, not the best; he's an extraordinary leader and citizen, only God knows the best. In short, he's a clean cut guy who loves playing baseball and is pretty good at it! He says nothing different than that. It is you media types that try to build him up, or tear him down. Name one team in baseball that wouldn't be better off for having him or wish they had?

To the Shyster - 1,000,000,000 internet dollars.

To everyone who posted something like: "zomg Craig is teh suck Jeter is awesome fire this journalist what a waste of time!!!1!!1!" - one (1) sad face :(

"Craig better not point out that Jeter can't walk on water -- he might get stoned for his heresy."

Since this was a deliberate agitating article about a Yankee and many Yankee fans are responding to it, as is their right, does not give you the right to laugh at them. Since you are not a fan of Jeter, then why are you posting? You want to pontificate at how above it all you are. Actually, you are the worst poster here. I think you are one who is stoned.

This would be a stupid story regardless of who it was about. To quote a great American Philosopher..."Stupid is as stupid does"

Must have been a real slow news day.....

Unbelievable bullshit.

Florida Marlins

Get your heads out of you posteriors people. Its just entertainment.

{cork sound}
Hey, he's right everyone, c'mon out - it's safe.....ahahahahha

Actually, he does have the right to laugh at them... and at you, for that matter. You, of course, have the right to ignore his laughter, but my guess is that you would just post about how is laughter is a waste of time and space and the Lord of Laughter should ban him from ever laughing again.

Sorry, that's supposed to say "how *his laughter..."

Well said!!

@Craig Calcaterra:

You say you're "a lawyer by trade, blogger by avocation". Perhaps, but you're thin-skinned by nature and incredibly defensive.

If you can't take the criticism, give it up. Media gets criticized. Deal with it.

As for the article... this falls in to the BFD category. It's not a big deal... but you make it a big deal with your inflammatory headline.

Steiner Sports sells the Joe D sign. Jeter got a Replica last night and hold the real one at home.

http://www.steinersports.com/joe-dimaggio-framed-i-want-to-thank-12x36-replica-sign

I agree! What a stupid article. Does this guy draw a salary for writing this crap?

Craig,
give it up......your article stinks and you clearly are trying to take a shot at one of the most oustanding and standup athletes in this generation. He is a great role model for kids and what every athletes should inspire to be. Why dont you write and good article about that or write about the Mike Vicks of the sporting world. your choice. But drop this one llike everyone else who cares. loser

I would agree that sorry is the best word to describe you. Don't worry. It wasn't funny the first time you screwed it up.

he admitted to taking the sign. he was apparently welcome to it. it's hard to see how this makes him either a liar, or a thief (if he'd claimed to have stolen the sign, craig might be onto something).

mostly what's disappointing here is that this piece is not genuinely interested in jeter's treatment by the media vs. a-rod's treatment in the media. craig knows perfectly well that jeter gets a free pass since he came up as a yankee, won championships with the team early and often, and has not been connected to PEDs; while a-rod is scrutinized since he was an astronomically expensive acquisition, and continues to be scrutinized since he has yet to pay off in terms of a championship, lied about taking PEDs, and finally admitted to taking PEDs.

while feigning interest in what is an uninteresting, and perfectly obvious question to begin with, this piece successfully baits yankee fans, asking an even less interesting, and even more obvious question: "will yankees fans react in outrage if i call jeter names?". good way to generate hits, but what makes the blog an interesting medium, compared to print, is the immediacy it provides for its readers. instead of waiting a day to see what an editor has deemed to be an interesting response to his paper's content, we can see, in real time, what readers think of content.

i've got a pretty high opinion of people--even yankees fans, despite their showing here--and i think that if the content here asked an interesting question, instead of a boring one, it would generate some interesting discussion instead of this illiterate insult-fest. and while i do have a pretty decent estimation of people, i'm not crazy, so i'll admit: it would probably generate fewer hits.

Since this was a deliberate agitating article about a Yankee and many Yankee fans are responding to it, as is their right, does not give you the right to laugh at them.
---------------------------

Hey pallie, We all have the right to laugh when fanatics get goaded into a p***ing match on a blog. And those who can't laugh at them selves are even more hilarious. I laugh at them not with them.

Or are we suppose to take this all seriously and play like someone offended us? A multi multi millionaire who said he stole a sign that he was later awarded got a blog written about him. So #*&(ing what. It's entertaining and it's probably welcomed compared to past tabloid coverage of the pinstriped hookup king of all ballers (Jeeter's the man!). I'm sure his PR firm will take care of this IF he can be bothered to care (I wouldn't).

Where I failed, you succeeded. I've laughed my ass off at all of your posts.

To: MSNBC
Re: Craig Calcaterra

If this blogger is what you consider worthwhile posting/reading, perhaps I'm at the wrong website. Time to go elsewhere.

Sincerely,
a former viewer

He said he "took" it. Maybe the Yankees "gave" it to him and he "took" it. They later in great Yankee fashion decided to take advantage of some publicity and marketing and provided a "ceremonial" presentation. I think the backlash is due to the sensationalistic implications of the headline to a seemingly trivial event. You know..Bait and switch..National Enquirer presentation and Marvel comics content.

Right you are, Chisel Chest

Jeter is the best rep the sport has. Leave it to some idiot to report something like this just to drag him down. Go report on something of importance!!!

To: brian
Re: Craig Calcaterra

Cya.

Sincerely,
MSNCB

That's MSNBC, douchebag!

Probably because A-Rod has a history of questionable acts, whereas Jeter does not. If Jeter did do this (and anyway, who cares?), it's nothing compared to the fact that Jon "Pap Smear" Papelbon wears little girl pink panties under his uniform whenever he's on the mound. Hey, it's a fact! I read it in a blog!

NYguy (and a lot of others) -

Apparently, there are a lot of people in this world without a spouse or a sibling or a friend who has ever teased them. Craig's comments, like most teasing, wasn't all that funny in and of itself, but watching a million morons come screaming out of the woodwork - now that's funny.

I actually thought the original post was simply a funny little blurb that might provoke some humerous responses. Then it got attacked as everything from stupid to irrelevant to bad journalism to an unfair attack on an icon (I am a die-hard Yankee fan. Sort of surprised me. But as Craig attempted to defend his post, not as a funny little behind the scenes story, but as some smoking gun evidence that Jeter has clay feet and calculatedly did something to enhance his image, well, I am sorry but your attempt to elevate the 'story' into something actually newsworthy was truly ill-advised. Better to have said your tongue was firmly in your cheek!

Maybe he likes the way they feel on his Papelbuns....

Well, I give you credit for admitting my posts were better. With a name like Pubic Debate and your non-sensical posts, I am sure life is not easy for you. I do admmit you are a masterdebater. That explains your strong forearms.

Dear Comentors,

Thank you for propelling Craig to the top of the "talked-about" list today. Your extreme passion and defensiveness for a ballplayer who claimed he stole a sign that he was later ceremonially awarded has resulted in more related blog hits and comments than we could have imagined for such a simple op-ed blogger-doodle piece.

Thanks to YOU for making us #1 one.

Sincerely,
Craig's PR Id

You are right on the mark, Fred.

I hope he likes the feel of them in the eigth inning. Billy ex-Met Wagner is gonna give him a run for his money if they bring him back. Mets and RedSox. What a pedigree. Can you say "choke artist"?

That's MSNBC, douchebag!

Whoops - some one is paying attention. Can't get anything over on you guys.
Give that double douchebag 2 gold stars, Johnny!

* *

Dave - FYI, this is nothing new. Joe Namath wore pantyhose in the 60's. He said they kept him warm. I was never a big Namath fan, but I gave him points for having the courage to go public with his underwear preference, complete with a logical explanation. Now if Joe DiMaggio had warn nylon stockings, and THAT was on a plaque in the Yankee clubhouse, we'd have something to discuss.

This is Pico, he said touch it in the back.

Maybe the Yankees asked whimt o give it back so they could present it to him? Who Knows? Better Yet .. Who cares?

Good score, Jeter! I am a former junk collector who now restricts my finds to only good stuff I can use around the house or shop. Dimaggio's quote is a heckuva find! Hope they let this guy keep it, because he is as good a ball player as Dimaggio ever was, especially in the clutch. I would hang it in the living room where it can be shared with anyone who visits Jeter's house!

that young fish stick is why i asked your mother to swallow .. 150 comments i would highly doubt that would constitute the most talked about blog of the day .. toanswer a previous question .. is craig a douche or a moron ...BOTH and of course Mr. Sticks

Damn it, Craig, why didn't you say you were a lawyer up front and noone would have wasted their time reading or writing

This comment thread is one of the greatest things I have ever had the privilege of reading. I'm sure Mr. Jeter would like to be able to thank each and every one of you personally for defending his honor from this time-wasting lawyer by wasting more of your time flinging childish and badly misspelled insults at him.

Well, he's clearly a thief, in the original article. He said he was going to take something, and eventually did. I don't know that it has ever been in dispute.

The only problem with your concern about PR, Craig, is that this "cover-up" doesn't really do anything to help Jeter. Let's say you had never brought this up. Was this some huge scandal, Jeter's thievery? No. No one cared. I recall zero outrage about him stealing that sign, especially since he admitted he'd done it. Nor do i recall him getting extra "badass" points. While i think the hero-worship for Jeter is constantly overdone, I suspect he's pretty much banged enough supermodels to earn all the badass points he needs in this life.

Of course, it's always possible that Jeter did take the sign, but was asked to return it by the team. Then, having complied with that request, he received the sign as a gift. I can see why the team would rather have Jeter get that keepsake as a gift, rather than simply taking it on his own. Anyway, the point is not that Jeter needs defending; he doesn't. The point is that this is simply not remotely comparable to A-Rod. Now, i happen to think A-Rod get something of a bad rap, but the truth is that this is not even, if you'll pardon the expression, in the same ballpark as A-Rod's supposed PR transgressions. The "who cares" posts are probably more reflective of the fact that the point of this post, if it was truly to compare Jeter to A-Rod, didn't do the trick. Jeter is certainly concerned about image, as was DiMaggio, in a strikingly similar way, actually. But suggesting that this goofy little non-scandal rises to the level of declaring, "If you won't criticize Jeter for this, you can't ever criticize A-Rod" simply doesn't pass the laugh test.

You seem like a good lawyer, based on your ability to make a good argument, so in this case, i think you may see, when you look back, that your desire to "bait" fanboys has eclipsed your ability to defend your thesis on the terms you've suggested. Or maybe not. in either case, i'm not really worked up about it, but I like a good argument, which is why i replied.

JR

I can tell your gay and the female my wife says dumb shit thats how I know
86 - Wed Sep 30,2009 12:13 PM ET

---

Genius Yankee poster of the year.

I don't have the right to laugh at Yankee fans? Can you cite to a federal or state statute on this? Perhaps it's in the common law. I know the Supreme Court's jurisprudence is unclear on any number of issues (see any Sandra Day O'Connor opinion), but can you point me to the case that says, "Thou shalt not mock self-righteous Yankee fans without any sense of humor, particularly when it comes to Derek Jeter, Son of God."

And no, I don't want to pontificate about how I'm above it all. I just want to mock Yankee fans.

A study came out a few weeks back that showed that equal numbers of Republicans and Democrats watched the Colbert Report, but that some huge percentage of the Republicans believed that Colbert secretly agreed with them.

In short, a lot of people can't recognize a parody when it spits in their face. He only lied about being a thief, Tess.

Jeter can have anything he wants in my book. The boy has earned it.

A class act anyway you look at it!

Derek Jeter is a professional. Everything he does is done in a professional matter. The way he plays the game, the way he sips cognac, the way he sits on the toilet, all of these things are done with decorum and respect for the game. He knows how to win, simple as that. The only reason the Yankees haven't won anything lately is his teammates are forgetting to ask him "Derek, remind us again how to win". They will ask him this question in October of 2009, and he will answer them, therefore, they will win. Derek Jeter did not steal that sign. The sign grew legs and decided that he wanted to become the property of a true professional. So, the sign walked over to #2's locker. A team of 9 Derek Jeters would defeat any other team in baseball history. That is, unless, the team faced off against another team with 9 more Derek Jeters. Then, the game would be a tie, and would last 999 innings, before ending when the universe collapses under the weight of the professionalism being displayed on that field.

You MUST be joking!!!This is filed under "who gives a rat's behind!" You don't think every person in the Yankees organization didn't know, and allowed Jeter the theft? Are you writing for Hal, because he's pissed he didn't get it?

Write a meaningful article about "Cow-Tipping". You are the poorest excuse for a sports writer ever.

The very fact that this is an issue, and that Craig repeats the facts in some shape or form at least five times in this thread, is unimaginable.

I realize all have the right to their opinions and their opportunities to continue a creative thread of thought. But who really cares whether Jeter already had the sign, or returned it and received it again. And what does it matter whether it was Derek or Alex.

Both have had outstanding baseball legacies that continue to be written. That should outweigh any such pettiness brought about by Craig in this blog.

October is around the corner. Baseball is back in New York. The Yankees are on top again in the American League and the Majors. Number 27 will hopefully be written into the history books in early November. Let's just look forward to the fall classic and focus on the game.

Thanks.

What a waste of time... I hope you didn't pay this zero...

I wouldn't put it past him. Remember people, Derek has stolen in the past. Those three Gold Glove awards clearly do not belong to him.

150 comments i would highly doubt that would constitute the most talked about blog of the day
------------------------------

Not for nothing tough guy but this has been the most commented on blog on MSNBCsports today. Look up & right you'll see this, chief:

Most Commented
Is Derek Jeter a liar or a thief?
Craig Calcaterra

I don't like the Yankees or Derek Jeter. Now, after wasting 10 minutes of my life I don't like Craig either. Get off of A-Rod's sack and stop trying to bring down Jeter because you think A-Rod has gotten more criticism. Nobody really cares. You are calling people hypocrits for being harsh on A-Rod but not Jeter. Last I saw Jeter wasn't caught on camera cheating on his wife, busted for taking steroids, looking foolish for opting out of a contract thinking he was going to get way more money, or giving the worst "confessional" interview in TV history. That was all A-FRAUD. He stole a sign BFD.

Did you become a journalist to write stupid articles like this?
What a waste!!

Craig,

It is also kind of funny that you would even blog this gibberish considering you think Jeter is overexposed.

After all, didn't you blog on September 10 with the title "Enough with the Derek Jeter coverage already"?

Seems like the pot calling the kettle black (sorry for the cliche but it is fitting).

Congrats Jim, for posting one of the more intelligent responses of the day!

Jeter can have anything he wants in my book as well. He can even have my virginity and my first born. He's freaking earned it.

Everything he does is done in a professional matter. The way he plays the game, the way he sips cognac, the way he sits on the toilet, all of these things are done with decorum and respect for the game

Toilet? WTF? How does one take a dump "with decorum and respect for the game"? And how would you know his crapper practices?
Get a grip. This whole thread is creepy form the ***hole haters to the idiots who sweat this enough to be outraged. None of this has anything to do with the great pastime of Baseball or the team.
Go Yanks!!

Craig,

It is also kind of funny that you would even blog this gibberish considering you think Jeter is overexposed.

After all, didn't you blog on September 10 with the title "Enough with the Derek Jeter coverage already"?

Seems like the pot calling the kettle black (sorry for the cliche but it is fitting).

Craig, I learned something a long time ago. Whens someone uses the ad hominem angle instead of actually addressing the argument/facts at hand, it means you win the argument.

Congratulations, I think you have "won" the argument...or at least made a perfectly good point. I hardly ever leave comments, but keep up the good work, you're definitely one of my daily reads.

Although I strongly agree with MN about the overexposer of Jeter, this is one of the few articles that actually denounces Jeter and/or the Yankees. Just goes to show they aren't Gods like everyone wishes to boast them as!

I am a Sox fan and definitely not a Jeter fan. With that being said this article is a worthless piece of diarhea. Can I have the minute back that it took me to read this?

PHENOMENAL stuff, Craig. This article has brought out some of the best comments I've ever seen. While I enjoy the general sentiments "reading this was a waste of time so I'm going to waste more time by commenting on it," "no one cares so I'm going to show exactly how much no one cares by caring enough to post a comment" and "you're a terrible journalist, person-who-isn't-actually-a-journalist," There are several winners here:

The people who think Jeter has earned the right to take anything he wants by playing good baseball for the Yankees.

The guy who had to take a half hour to read the article.

The guy who thinks Jeter is better than DiMaggio.

And, finally:

The guy who knows you're gay because his wife (the female) told him so.

I'll be refreshing this comments thread for quite some time. Keep it classy (and intellectually consistent!), Yankee fans!

Isn't it a more-than-likely possibility that the Yanks had at least two of those Joe D signs? After all, every single person who went on a tour of Yankee Stadium passed and probably touched that sign. I'm sure they wear off, get dinged and need replacing. Perhaps both players are telling the truth.

It's hard to pick just one, but my verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrryyy favorite part about all the idiotic hilarity in this thread?

Nobody really cares

Sincerely,
Comment # 191

You can't make stuff this stupid up...

seriously? aren't you being over the top a wee bit? i can only imagine what you must think of rapists and murderers. not a yankee fan?

Um, Tom, i think you need to put your humor glasses on and read the post again, it's a parody. Pretty funny, too, FWIW. Ditto the "half hour" guy, if I'm not mistaken.

This literally looks like something a TROLL on a message board would post.

In fact, I don't even think a troll would reach this far.

Well I still love you Craig. This post is amazing, if only for the ire it's generated. The volume of thin-skinned Yankee supporters is phenomenal and comical, and clearly Red Sox fans are starting to follow suit in their self-righteousness.

Oh, and just a reminder: blogs ≠ journalism

Excellent point. The precedent has been set.

Wow! All I can say is wow! What the hell is wrong with people? Everyone is taking a blog that it would have taken 30 seconds to read and forget about and turned it into a national scandal. Craig, I think its a perfectly fine blog and for me I think it does exactly what you wanted it to do... it made me say "hmm". Its not national news, its not supposed to be! But it makes me think and wonder what the real story is. Its not a leading article in the Washington Post or the top headline on ESPN so stop overanalyzing it as "not important"... I don't think he was trying to shock the world. Good job Craig.

oh yea and for the guy earlier who said Craig calling Jeter a thief could be guilty of "liable".. buy a dictionary already, its libel or defamation.. or even calumny.. but not "liable"

There are some real morons posting on this story.

"Everyone is taking a blog that it would have taken 30 seconds to read and forget about and turned it into a national scandal"

Yo, Mr Speed reader, it takes some of us 30 minutes. So what!
I'm still working on this.... but what I've read so far makes me FURIOUS!!! Errrg! Leave Jeeter alone you meanies!!! Errrr so so mad - I will show my teeth and make guteral sounds. Ouch I think I hurt myself - Mommy bring me my bloodpressure pills.....owey owey.
Ok bye bye guys. Owie....

Is liable in the biable?

I guess I missed it, so let me ask, is he a liar, or is he a thief?

I agree with Bill. There's a minute of my life that I'll never get back. I had to read it a few times to find a point but I have found nothing remotely intelligent. I am now dumber for reading this poor excuse for a sports news article.

Nick,
You left out the guy that eats poop-balls and the guy that imagines Jeter sitting regally on the toilet while respecting the game.
My personal favorite is the guy that spends his time correcting grammar and spelling

MSNBS Sprorts and "This is Now" by Sprint, along with C.C. aka "jerk with a computer" This is the low of lows to make the media. How can you allow this on your site? One of the "Most Popular Childrens Roll Models" of all time. If he was a thief someone would have pressed charges. Maybe he was allowed to take it. I know I would not tell you one way or another. No one pressed charges means your wrong and the people who allow you to post this degrading garbage wrong for allowing it. You didn't answer many of the posts and I'm sure you won't do many more as you could be a long time with all the negatives you are and will be getting. This site got rid of most bad mouth writers like MAD DOG etc. Your next. Email me when you get a paying job so Me and the other millions of people you offended can continue our negative posts for all the garbage you write. Don't forget to use a screen name. If you use your real name you will be laughed out the door.

"One of the 'Most Popular Childrens Roll Models' of all time."
The Jeep CJ-5 was the most popular roll model of all time for Americans of all ages.

Craig, do you really get tens of millions of hits? Cool!

Your next. Email me when you get a paying job so Me and the other millions of people ...
.
.
Speaking of all the bad mouth writers and complaints of nit picking it's not "your" it's you're. Also, it's not "Me and"(others) it's others and I (then other post subject verb). What is it with all the incessant personal pronoun misuse in the north east these days? Even broadcasters can't seem to get it right. It's really not all that hard to get English basics right and sounds mildly retarded when so butchered especially in a critique of another person...even if they are a cheap-shot lawyer blogging on a non subject. Sorry to go off topic but it's not like this article or the commentary deserves any real deep retort.

Hey Teach, you juss wanna hear your self??? er ah see yer own comments? Uh subject was?? This guy's Beaut no matter how you or I put it.

Jeez, Craig, I think you hit a nerve...

AHHH this blog or what ever gone from headlines, the millions of comments are reduced somewhat. But we still got this guy 200 to 1 comments better than the other articles on "Circling the Bases" Thats a long sentence.

The your favorite plters is Jeter than I spose your a jerk! finally sumbuddy git it for sure that. Steeler or not it matter than crap you dumb.

Keep up the good work here and over at Hardball Times Craig! It continues to amaze me how riled up people can get over simple, innocent posts about baseball players. I hope you find it as humorous as I do.

It's not really that hard to figure out....Jeter stole the sign back in January as originally reported. Two nights ago the Yankees "awarded" it to him as a gesture so it would be official. Perhaps they were even in on the joke as well, knowing full well that he had told the reporter he stole it- so they thought it would be funny if they took it back to give to him in front of fans.

I had NO idea what in the hell this post meant, so I called up my buddy Jeter and he translated (because he speaks every language ever, duh!!!). His translation was, "Professional. Professional. Steinbrenner. Professional. I dove into the stand unnecessarily that one time. Professional."

Now I get it!

You know it's good commentary when people (read: Yankee Fanboys) pull out the ad hom. If it really were that bad, nobody would take the time to even comment.

Who of any of you have the right to call the number one hitter ,an all star,a local hero to thousands of Yankee fans a thief.99% of you could not carry his jock strap ..........so go suck it up.........the man deserves that sign ,he earned it the ole fashion way ,,,,,,it is part of his history and not anyone elses,,,,,,,All you poor idiots looking to make a statement on a ball player ,,,who are you Babe ruth cause if your not then Shut the Hell Up.........

Who of any of you have the right to call the number one hitter ,an all star,a local hero to thousands of Yankee fans a thief.99% of you could not carry his jock strap ..........so go suck it up.........the man deserves that sign ,he earned it the ole fashion way ,,,,,,it is part of his history and not anyone elses,,,,,,,All you poor idiots looking to make a statement on a ball player ,,,who are you Babe ruth cause if your not then kindly respect the man and be quite

Greatest hits:

"I can tell your gay and the female my wife says dumb shit thats how I know"
"Your a retard"
"Craig, we're almost out of internet and you waste space with this?! OMGYOUAREEVIL" (Well Done Art)
" is Craig Calcaterra a douche or a moron?"
"This goes to show you that america is going down the tubes."
"Whoever wrote this article is a Red Sox lover and if your name is really Craig, well Craig you are an idiot! Derek Jeter rules and you will never have a girlfriend! Done!"
"This from a man who picks poop-balls off his butthairs and eats them while making fun of Jerry Jones for picking his nose on TV"
"Since this was a deliberate agitating article about a Yankee and many Yankee fans are responding to it, as is their right, does not give you the right to laugh at them"
"Dear Comentors"
"Did you become a journalist to write stupid articles like this"
"i can only imagine what you must think of rapists and murderers"
"I am now dumber for reading this poor excuse for a sports news article"
Thanks Craig - Good Times.

Quit swinging from Jeeters sack - we're just having a good laugh
AT you

"who are you Babe ruth cause if your not then kindly respect the man and be quite"
**************************************************************
"Be quite" what?

These are classic ;)

THIS IS GARBAGE, WHAT WILL YOU WRITE ABOUT NEXT, MINKA AND KATES
MANICURE APPOINTMENT AND THE NAIL POLISH COLOR THEY USE ON THEIR
TOE ???

Do u have a MAN CRUSH GOING ON WITH Craig, I'm so happy for you.

Let's just say that I feel about Craig the same way that you feel about your Caps Lock key.

you are on yhe National Barack Channel, share the wealth Jeter, send me some mementos and signed stuff. All you New Yorkers need to get a life in the deep end of the gene pool, your personality is showing.LOL

I agree with you, the pimp man can only type with one finger, which happens to equal his IQ and the number of friends he had before his hoe got lost in the garden.

Only a non-athlete hero worshipping scribbler would waste their time on this kind of silliness. Get a life, soon!

i have no problem with it. as a yankee fan, jeter is one of the great yankees of all time and the fact that this isnt about money or image but him respecting the history of the yankees and the honor it is to play in pinstripes makes his desire to have that piece an admirable thing. btw, the difference between him (and most yankee greats) and arod is the multiple championships, team records he holds and his numerous, big game clutch plays. when arod gets it done in october and can put together a string of championships like true yankees do, then he MAY be considered a yankee.

Sometimes you have to steal to get what you want.
Let Jeter(I mean MR.Peanut)have it. He's a real Yankee.Rivera will go to his grave laughing that he played so little, got the umps to call balls, strikes for him and people worshipped the ground he walked on.So over rated and don't tell me about numbers, because numbers don't tell the whole story.Steinbrenner saved the Yankees years ago and Killed Baseball at the same time. These guys should thank their lucky stars everyday that they are Millionaires without working.Bring back the days when a player, no matter how good he was could be traded to a crappy team and there was nothing anyone could do about it.I know the BoSox try and buy teams like the Yanks, but they don't bother me as much. I'd rather see them win every year over NY.I still can't believe the Babe(The Icon,The Man)was only 225lbs and he looked like 280lbs in that old uniform.Hammerin Hank Aaron will always be the Home Run Champ.The posers/cheaters should all be listed together apart from MLB Records.I haven't seen anyone put a ball in the Bay at SF.after Barry left.You ever noticed that so many young men in MLB are going bald.That's a sign of Steroid use.Show me 120 names that didn't use PHD's, it's easier then naming the 1000+ that used them.
Thanks
Go Rockies...Go BoSox

Derek Jeter has already been given a much bigger and better gift that was ever meentioned, why it's the brand new, 41.5 Billion Dollar Shrine in the Bronx, "The House that Jeter Built".

Actually, it's "The House that the New York Taxpayers Built."

And it didn't cost $41.5 billion. That figure would be more than the GDP of Tunisia. The stadium is much more Eritrea-like. Lesotho, maybe.

DEREK JETER IS A SEX MACHINE, CRAIG CALCATERRA IS DUD

really, this is an issue. in light of miguel cabrera's weekend maybe we can put into context jeters foibles.

When you are able to get nearly as many hits as the immortal Harold Baines, you are entitled to a keepsake or two.

Get a real job, Craig.

Fair enough, Bill, but something tells me that if this was A-Rod, there would be stories in every New York paper about his image consciousness, disingenuousness, etc.

And it would still be just as vapid and pathetic.

"Also, that rubber can't possibly be from Citi Field. Mo didn't immediately rupture six tendons just touching it."

This comment alone was worth reading the whole ridiculous, pointless article!! Funniest thing I've read in ages!

Craig,I think you should take it easy on the Papi Shakes.

WTF...Don't any of you have anything better to do or discuss?

So I'm extremely late on this, but I think I know what happened here, and its neither of the two scenarios Craig outlines. When Jeter took the sign last year, an agreement had yet to be reached on the sale of stadium memorabilia. When an agreement was made in May where the Yankees would handle the sale and give all the proceeds to the city, Jeter probably returned the sign, not so the Yankees could award it to him, but because the team was obligated to sell it on behalf of the city. Then, when people started to get excited about the record, someone on the Yankees PR staff probably thought it'd be cool if the team bought the sign themselves to give to Jeter.

Granted, this is all conjecture on my part, but it seems a likely explanation.

Yo Derek, you're a great Yankee and imma let you finish, but I just wanted to say that once I stole a pony.

No Kidding..what a tool this columnist is...why dont you write something someone cares about for a change.

Right there with ya

i'd like to say Jeter take on Roy's son http://www.bit.ly/royfight

dig, dig, dig, there has to be a story here somewhere! Did Seth Everett put you on this?

did this writer forget to take his medicine?...who the hell cares about this?...do you not like Jeter because you figured out what he took and wanted to "scoop" a story about how he really does thank God?...go back to sleep

Did Jeter say that he personally took the sign without authorization? Or did he tell them he wanted the sign and they quickly took it down so that they could set it aside for safe keeping.

Gary Cohen talked about 'taking' some seats from the upper deck of Shea Stadium. You surely don't think he went up there with a Sawsall do you?

An article by Craig Calcaterra is like a fart. It stinks, but it will soon go away!

Hey Craig, Can I get ur mailing address so I can send u a dollar so u can go out and get urself some business?

Bill,

You are totally right. What an asinine article. Who cares about what Jeter got and how he got it or Rivera for that matter.

Right on,

Dan.

If the moron who wrote this article got paid, then that my friends is stealing. One of the worst articles I've ever read. In any form of media.

WOW!!! If they gave Pulitzer prizes out for Stupid and Worthless, you'd sure win with this one, Craig.... Don't get offended - this would be your only shot at one...

WOW!!! If they gave Pulitzer prizes out for Stupid and Worthless, you'd sure win with this one, Craig.... Don't get offended - this would be your only shot at one...

Jeter is allowed to steal, as he is a great athlete. Just like OJ is allowed two free murders for rushing for 2000 yards! Jeter should be banned from Cooperstown and OJ should probably have to give back his Heisman or something. And whatever happened to Reuben Stoddard, just curious. And I can't give up my source, but I heard it from someone reliable that Craig isn't really a lawyer, but that he lives under a bridge and eats small chiildren. Actually, my source was Jeter, so clearly there is no credibility.

this great..

I think what is at issue is the title. He is either a liar or thief? You have no idea what arrangements were actually made, it could have been a ploy to bait idiotic discussion for all you know. I don't think you have the knowledge to distill it into one or the other, no more than I can assert; Craig Calcaterra, Blogger or tabloid hack?

Thanks for the investigative journalism. I think the point you're missing Chris is that most baseball fans love Jeter even if they aren't Yankee fans, and even if Jeter stole the sign and the Yankees helped cover that up we're going to give him a pass.

"So Captain Jetes: were you lying to the New York Times, saying you stole the DiMaggio sign in an effort to make yourself look like a Yankee-history-lovin' bad boy, or did you actually steal the sign, give it back to the Yankees, and then allow them to "award" you with it in last night's ceremony? It has to be one of those two, right?"

The way in which you wrote that last sentence, especially interjecting sarcasm, is why most people think this post is crap because it comes across as you having a personal vendetta against Jeter. It does to me, and as a Yankee fan I could

1) Give a crap Jeter wanted a way-cool sign because he's earned it;

2) People take mementos from the closing of old stadiums (ahem, Metrodome) and no one says anything;

3) What exactly is the point of this post except to show that Jeter lied to you? Face facts, that's why this was written.

Another thing Chris:

Is it stealing if after what you took the rightful owner decides to not request it back? Isn't that technically a gift? If so, doesn't that mean Jeter OR the Yankees DIDN'T LIE?

Also, Jeter stole some bases this year. He was caught a few times and never received any punishment. This is another example of a star athlete getting away with a crime.

271 of the dumbest things I have ever read.

What a great5 thread. First of all, who cares what Jeter said or did. He speaks through his consistent play and desire in every game. All the Yankee haters are just jealous. Yankee's don't win championships and then unload everybody.
But more importantly, the amount of useless energy directed against Craig is truly hilarious. 271 posts clearly indicates ghoulish interest in what he writes. It's a blog, folks. By definition it's just the opinion of one man. I don't think I've wasted time reading the drivel in the comments. They're hilarious.

Where have all the sports journalist gone????/ This guy Craig is an idiot and should donate his pay to the Columbia school of journalism and we can only hope a real journalist replaces him soon..

Craig,
Wow!!!! A whole lot of hate on this site. Folks in the East need to enjoy life and stop the hatin.

Craig, keep writing, the world is full of morons.

MJB teriffic writing you must be from new york huh? you're making statements that are not true this writer, writes for a living what do you do? and your remarks are not true those who are making more then they are worth are first A Rod he promised another ring two or three years ago and still has not delivered, Jeter is a great man and knows how to handle any situation, the only way New York will win any thing is if they pay for it and this is not how is should be, start the game with nine men and end up with the same nine unless, unless one got hurt and could not continue, yankees change men to fit the situation and that is if they are loosing they change most of the team just to win
Take care and yankees better watch out this year I will say they will not get that fifth ring

You really get paid for this? What a stupid waste of time.

Craig once again you proof what a putz you are, next time just write how you really feel and say "i hate the Yankees because a. they win too much B. they beat my favorite team in the WS C. because i am a complete azz who doesnt even watch baseball until the postseason". Just take your pick serious and once again one is left to wonder why does MSNBC post your garbage? Why?? Someone calls this garbage good? Please get us a good writer for a change not some nickel and dime punk out of his basement!

What a stupid article! You must really be desperate for something to write.

I think Jeter is a liar AND a thief.

Craig C., To quote John Houseman from "The Paper Chase" get it through "your mind full of mush" that the readers recognize this piece to be as newsworthy as an office employee stealing a extra laptop from his company's inventory. I figure Jeter lifted it and the Yankees upon finding out decided that PR was better than punishment, let alone prosecution, of its star player and Jeter played along. I can't really fault either Jeter or the Yankees on this as a business decision. That said, What part of "Who cares?" don't you understand from the vast majority of the above reader comments. Most of us like sports blogs to be about sports. If we want soap operas we can quit our jobs, sit at home and watch "The Guiding Light". Having obviously laid an egg with this piece, you'd be much better off listening to your readers than being combative and contemptuous of what they have to say. They're simply calling it as they see it and I tend to agree with them myself.

I cant believe a guy who's a lawyer even has TIME to be this petty.

The fact that this post is still receiving disapproving comments — nearly three weeks after initially being posted — suggests Craig Calcaterra may be the most misunderstood man in America.

The post was humorous, folks, but it turns out the joke's on you.

You keep commenting on how no one has systematically discounted your two claims. Jeter stated he took it last January (you purposely type "stole" in every comment), then received it at the game you reference. I, too, graduated from Law School so I know you're game. I think what the readers are stating take issue more with the fact that the TOPIC is idiotic, not your facts. Braves fan, Sox fan - it doesn't matter...you're time in writing an article would be better served doing something...anything...more productive. Jeter is a class act; any sportswriter in the national realm would tell you the same. Hope you serve your clients in the courtroom better than you serve your "readers".

Uhhhhh, which is why Chris came back into the comment threads and made serious reply after reply.

What were you reading?

Hey, Idiot, who's Chris?

Option 3: He was joking about stealing the sign.

Who's on first?

dude, this is the most retarded blog ever (its just an article people, why does it offend everyone so much?) if u dont like it, dont read it. this Craig guy actually wrote an article on the man who "never does wrong" and is starting a debate wether he actually did steal it or not, and IF he did, then why does Jeter not get any bad comments about him? i would bet anything that if it was ARod, everyone would be cursing him out and making news stories out of it.. everyone should hop off of Jeter's jock!

exactly, who the hell cares...

Hey Craig, as far as I'm concerned, Jeter's none nuttin.

Speaking of crime, who at msnbc do you have compromising Polaroids of such that you've somehow been handed this gig?

It's inexplicable.

Just a well written article of personal choice. Write yours dumb-dumbs!!

What law school naught? That's your not you are required "gramatician". Write 'your' own article maybe for 'Student Lawyer'. 'ABA Journal' - Not.

This whole waste of space and time to which I now contribute strikes me of the typical MSNBC "Vast Right Wing Conspiracy" mentality.

Derek Jeter is a liar AND a thief. End of story. His baseball stats have absolutely nothing to do with his moral character. He's a slimebucket who obviously thinks that because he's a Skankee, I mean Yankee, that places him above the law. It doesn't.

I love this. This kind of high-level discussion is exactly what the internet was designed to enable. It's gratifying seeing technology put to its optimal use. Reading this article and its comments has been a truly eye-opening experience. Thank you. ALL of you.

Thank goodness the press writers were too busy tossing down free food and beverages, or the stuff would be on e-bay.

you must be a crummy lawyer if u cant understand that jeter took possession of the sign and the ceremony awarded him title/ownership. and too the other poster- nyc may own the stadium but not the sign-its not what the law says a fixture is.

You are right but not a dumb article its the idiot that writes the article. I read some of his stuff what an imbecile. Has no journalistic abilities at all. Just a janitor trying to get into the big leagues of writing. He should stick to cleaning the johns, he must do that better than his little stupid articles.

This calatheria or what ever his name is should go back to his janitor job. He is no Journalist, does not even know what it means. What a bunch of B.S. This Moran that wrote this article is so stupid it goes with out, any thought, that he is so short of a full brain. Wish some one that was his boss would just fire the stupid idiot.

what confuses me is how you are picking which comment to reply to. like a real 'lawyer', you are choosing your battles. you will only reply to the ones you know you can defend. the ones that you know are true about you are the ones you ignore and move onto the next one that you know you can answer and defend yourself. i agree w/ the majority - the are more important topics to report. Talk about kiffin and his hatred towards florida. talk about the lakers lamar odom and his new bride. talk about the loss of capt. lou albano. or argue how professional wrestling is staged. just a few a suggestions. sure you have had ones that aren't as clean.

Calcataterra or what ever. So you say you are a lawyer guess not attorney?? What state are you license to practice in??? What kind of cases do you represent. Do you have a license that is in effect at this time. I guess I could contact the Bar and find that out if you do not want to say.

The headline was a bit sensational, but needed to be if I got his point, and I think I do.

It's not that Jeter is a bad guy or that anyone is comparing this transgression to A-Rod's juicing. To me, the relevant question is this:

What if Alex Rodriguez had taken the sign and then was awarded the sign exactly as Jeter had done? Would the media have ignored it?

I think it's a legitimate question. I don't know but my guess is that the New York Post would have had a snide comment about re-gifting on its back page headline.

I asked a similar question, although not on the internet, when Cal Ripken retired. After announcing he didn't want a retirement tour, Ripken trademarked his retirement logo. That logo even made it on the hood of a NASCAR car during a race that fall. There was barely a peep about it from the media or fans, but I thought, "what if Barry Bonds were to trademark a retirement logo?" I would think he would have been savaged.

That's not to equate Ripken with Bonds, just as this author did not equate Jeter to Rodriguez. Both Ripken and Jeter earned that good will, but is it wrong to point out that there is a double standard? I think not.

get a life!! who cares if he took it or it was given hes earn it and more if this is all you have to write about maybe you should fined another line of work!!!

Craig,

You should go write for the National Enquirer or Star magazine.

Agree!!

a beautiful example of why journalism sucks these days. Don't quit your day job, Craig.

craig,
the comments bashing you are better than your article

Worst Writer Ever.

Craig....I saw Jeter repeatedly say he drove a Ford. They run that commercial at least 5 times every game. I bet if you follow him around you can get a picture of him in another car. Think of what a scoop that would be.

Douche.

"Speaking of crime, who at msnbc do you have compromising Polaroids of such that you've somehow been handed this gig?
It's inexplicable."

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