CHICAGO — Derek Jeter refused to respond to an ESPN television announcer who suggested Jeter’s strong season at 38 could be a result of performance-enhancing drugs.
Skip Bayless cast doubt on Jeter who is hitting .324 after the Yankees’ 2-1 loss to the White Sox last night at U.S. Cellular Field after hitting .270 last season.
“I am not getting involved in that one,’’ Jeter said, who hit a solo home run, his 13th, last night. “Guys do things and people question it, that’s the unfortunate thing.’’
Asked if he was bothered by his name being linked to the topic, Jeter said, “It’s a first for me, man. I don’t know what to tell you.’’
White Sox manager Robin Ventura, a Yankee in 2002-2003, was appalled that somebody would question Jeter on the performance enhancing drug issue.
“That’s awful,’’ Ventura said.
In Jeter’s last 27 games, he is hitting .381 (45-for-118) with six homers and 16 RBIs. He passed Eddie Murray into 11th place on the all-time hit list and has 3,257. The streak has carried him into the AL MVP conversation.
Which is another topic Jeter would rather not talk about.
“I am not thinking about that,’’ Jeter said. “I am trying to win a game.’’
Jeter has never won an MVP. He finished second to the Twins’ Justin Morneau after hitting .343.
Jeter refused to discuss his season because “it’s not over.’’
He did admit that in the past he has thought about the MVP when the season ended.
“You think about it when the season is over,’’ Jeter said. “Everyone wants to win an award like that.’’
Jeter passed former Yankees manager Joe Torre in homers last night, hitting his 253rd. Before the game Torre called Jeter.
“He congratulated me [for tying him] and I told him I should have hit fourth all those years,’’ Jeter said.