Derek Jeter: Thou Doth Protest Too Much

ESPN analyst Skip Bayless has openly suggested New York Yankee shortstop and 'captain' Derek Jeter of having used human growth hormones (HGH) to maintain his major league baseball career.

“I am shocked by what I am seeing from Derek Jeter right now,” Bayless said on the network, referring to the shortstop’s ‘miraculous’ comeback this year following an off-season in 2011.

“They all said he was washed up. All of a sudden, this man has turned 38 years of age in June and already he has more hits than he had last year. ... I'm seeing a whole new guy this year from last year ... Are you kidding me? You would have to have your head in the sand or your head somewhere else not to at least wonder, 'How is he doing this?' "”

Jeter, predictably, has denied using any chemicals while offering no convincing rebuttals.

Allow me to add my two cents: Jeter is lying and has been on steroids and growth hormones for years.

Yes, I admit, I am biased because I hate the Yankees and have long despised the automaton robot, Derek Jeter.

However, let me amend my suspicions that, as a Red Sox fan, I freely admit that Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz are also guilty of similar transgressions – and, yes, that gives their 2004 World Championship a terrible taint.

So, I am not playing favorites.

I firmly believe Jeter has been using for years and his career is largely a sham – just like a multitude of his Yankee teammates over the years, including Alex Rodriguez, Roger Clemens, Melky Cabrera, Andy Pettitte, Jason Giambi and probably many others.

In response to Bayless' charge, Jeter (who is probably the dullest, most uncharismatic and uninteresting baseball 'superstar' of this generation) made the lame response that the media itself (i.e., Bayless) should be 'tested.'

Now, how on earth would steroids help a journalist? By making him or her write faster? Come back quicker from an injured finger?

Jeter clearly has something to hide.

Look, if Jose Canseco is right, the majority of baseball players from the past two decades are dirty – this is one reason I refuse to go to games anymore. Almost everything Canseco wrote in his books has been verified. Like him or hate him, Canseco is telling the truth.

Yes, some innocent players who are not using will be ensnared in what is being called the 'steroid era.'

But Jeter is not one of them. He is now 38 years old (ancient for a baseball player, especially a shortstop) and he has already hit 12 home runs this year (double his total from the prior year). He's also batting .324, after two seasons below .300.

This is not normal, ballplayers do not enjoy a 'renaissance' when they're pushing 40, unless they've received some chemical ‘help’ (right, Barry Bonds?)

I am certainly not singling out Jeter – he has a lot of company in this wrongful conduct.

But I have been puzzled as to why the New York media (usually the most cynical and vociferous of scribes in the country) has 'protected' Jeter and repeatedly defended him throughout his career.

Does any sane person truly believe he is 'clean'? The Yankees clubhouse is a veritable drug laboratory and has been for at least 15 years.

Jeter is as dirty as A-Rod, Clemens, Bonds, Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro, Sammy Sosa, and all the other cheats.

It's time New York media and brainwashed fans own up to it.