Jeter could be first unanimous Hall of Fame selection

Derek Jeter has had a lot to smile about in his career so far. And a spot in the Hall of Fame awaits him. (AP photo)

 

The better question: Will he be a unanimous selection?

Let's put that another way: How could any voting member of the Baseball Writers' Association of America not vote for Jeter?

He has the stats. In addition to reaching the hits milestone that virtually guarantees election, Jeter also ranks in the top 25 all time in runs scored and could end his career as one of eight players to score 2,000 runs. He collected more hits and scored more runs than any player in history through his first 15 seasons. He has a .313 lifetime average and 237 homers, which rank fourth all-time among shortstops. Those are merely numbers from the regular season. Jeter, of course, has made his career in the postseason, where he ranks first all time in games, at-bats, runs, hits and total bases. 

He is a winner. Since Jeter's rookie season in 1996, the Yankees are the only team to win more than 60 percent of their games, including the postseason. Amazingly, in his entire career, Jeter never has played in a game at Yankee Stadium in which his team has been eliminated from postseason contention. Most important, no player in the past 40 years has won more than the five World Series championships he has. 

He is among the best of his time. Jeter has been named to 12 All-Star teams, won five Gold Gloves and finished in the top five in MVP voting in three seasons. 

Gallery: Derek Jeter through the years

He helped transform his position. Cal Ripken was the first to bring power and size to shortstop. Jeter was the first "big" to bring so much grace and athleticism as well. No shortstop ever has combined offense and defense better than Jeter over a 15-year stretch. 

He epitomizes the Hall of Fame standards. Jeter was one of the game's few superstars to rise out of the steroids era with his reputation intact. He is the rare player who is respected and liked by opponents as well as teammates. Playing in the nation's tabloid capital, he has managed to stay out of the outlandish headlines. His off-the-field image, in fact, is even more pristine than his ability as a shortstop. 

He transcended the game. Becoming the most recognizable face in baseball is not a requirement for Cooperstown but it can't hurt Jeter's chances. Neither will acting respectfully and cordially toward the media, especially in New York where so many Hall of Famers reside. 

He isn't done yet. At 37, Jeter has been taking so much heat for his subpar batting average that he told reporters the negativity was affecting his enjoyment of the pursuit for 3,000 hits. Though the slip in his game has lasted for more than a year, he remains a top five shortstop and already has shown he can bounce back from disappointing seasons. For him to do so again would shock few.

Even if Jeter doesn't regain his status as one of the game's elite players, he already has given voters more than enough reasons to check his name on the ballot at the first opportunity. 

In fact, the only reason someone could leave off Jeter on the first ballot would be to prevent him from becoming the first unanimous choice. No player ever has received more support than Tom Seaver, who was not named on just five of the 430 ballots cast in 1992. Nolan Ryan missed out on six of 497 in 1999 and Ripken came up eight short on 545 ballots cast in 2007. 

Even with Jeter's credentials, he is unlikely to buck such history. Still, his induction on the first ballot remains as certain as the No. 2 on his back never being worn by another Yankee.