PHOENIX — Get off Derek Jeter’s back.
Yes, Jeter could have showed up here for the All-Star Game and tipped his cap, but taking a few days off after providing one of the most dramatic days in Yankees history was Jeter’s call and it was his right to take some time to himself. He doesn’t have to be perfect all the time. Even baseball gods need a break.
“We would love for Derek Jeter to be here but Derek Jeter has always done everything we have asked ever since he has been in the majors,” Major League Baseball senior VP Pat Courtney told The Post last night at Chase Field. “No one can ever question Derek Jeter’s commitment to the game. While we would like him to be here, we certainly understand.”
And so do I.
There were 84 total All-Stars, including replacements, and 79 showed up to the event. The missing five are four Yankees, Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, CC Sabathia and Mariano Rivera and the Braves’ Chipper Jones. Rivera’s arm was tender, Sabathia said he wanted to go on a family vacation, A-Rod and Jones had knee surgery. Jeter, who was selected for the 12th time, just went through an exhausting ordeal, getting to 3,000 hits and overcoming a calf injury along the way.
Jeter wanted to decompress and give his calf some added rest as the Yankees gear up for the second half.
“He’s such a great player and I understand all he’s been through,” National League manager Bruce Bochy told The Post, “but with him reaching the milestone it would have given you a deeper appreciation for the career that he’s had. I think all of baseball wanted to acknowledge that.”
Jeter got his 3,000th hit in dramatic fashion Saturday, blasting a home run for that breathtaking milestone and going 5-for-5, including driving in the winning run. Even his peers were impressed.
“I was getting goose bumps. I watched it and just smiled,” noted the Reds’ Brandon Phillips of Jeter’s 3,000th hit. “He means so much to this game. I wish he was here. I would have shook his hand. I’m happy for him. When he comes into the room he’s like Michael Jordan.”
Mets shortstop Jose Reyes, on the disabled list with hamstring tightness, decided to come to the All-Star Game even though he couldn’t play
“I like to be here,” Reyes said, “but you have to understand Jeter, he came back from an injury, that’s good for him to take a little break.”
Honorary NL president Bill Giles, the Phillies chairman, criticized Jeter.
“I think it’s too bad that Jeter in particular is not here, because of what he accomplished over the weekend,” Giles said. “I think it is a bit of a problem and baseball should study it.”
Padres closer and former Met Heath Bell said Jeter’s performance was “awesome.” He then offered this insight:
“Jeter is a great guy; I think he’s one of the few gentlemen in this game,” Bell said. “I was fortunate to play in the World Baseball Classic and I thought I was a nobody, but he treated me like I was a Hall of Famer.
“I was hoping to see him and congratulate him, but he pulled out for his personal reasons and I understand why because he just came off the DL and he wants to be healthy for his team.”
There’s nothing wrong with that.
Give Derek Jeter a break. The All-Star Game will survive without him.
David Ortiz told me as much, saying he had no problem with Jeter taking an All-Star break.
“Derek and A-Rod are pretty much the face of the All-Star Game, but I think they have the right,” Ortiz said. “DJ just came off that calf injury, he’s not 20 anymore. They want to be there for their team in the second half.”
Dodgers center fielder Matt Kemp watched Jeter’s home run and, before the blast, commented to teammates: “This would be dope if he hit a home run. I’m serious. If this dude hits a home run it would be amazing. That just sums up his career. He’s one of my favorite players, I want to be like him when I grow up.”
That is what it’s really all about.