Derek Jeter Could Manage, But Don’t Plan On It Happening

May 21, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter hits a single against the Chicago Cubs during the sixth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Recently, during the New York Yankees’ visit to Chicago, retiring shortstop and future Hall of Fame member Derek Jeter was asked what he thought of the job his one-time teammate and current Chicago White Sox’ manager Robin Ventura had been doing. Jeter responded by saying the he thought Ventura’s laid-back temperament and approach was exactly what the White Sox needed on the heels of replacing the beleaguered Ozzie Guillen.

When asked if managing is something he might consider after his playing career is over, Jeter told Andrew Marchand of ESPNNY.com: “My temperament would be all right to manage…But I’m not. No. Write that down.”

While many think Jeter’s even-keeled approach would be right along the lines of his former longtime manager Joe Torre, it is a rarity to see the very best the game has to offer get into managing. Usually when a player is Cooperstown-bound, they spend their retirement years raking in the cash on endorsements, speaking engagements, and of course memorabilia shows and team-related activities.

The last prominent Yankees’ player to get into the managing game was former team captain Don Mattingly, who finished as the runner-up to current Yankees’ skipper Joe Girardi, and later joined Torre as a bench coach in Los Angeles. “Donnie Baseball” replaced Torre as Dodgers’ manager when Torre retired from dugout work.