Derek Jeter Hit By Pitch, Not: Why This Is Part Of The Game and Replays Aren't

Derek Jeter cheated.

Derek Jeter—the ultimate role-model, leader, and winner—cheated.

So people say.

However, it really is just part of the game.

For those who haven't seen or don't know about the incident in the Yankees-Rays game at Tropicana Field on Wednesday night (and if you call yourself a Yankees fan and haven't, I'm guessing you live under a rock), Derek Jeter came to bat in a crucial divisional game with his Yankees down by one in the late innings.

Jeter squared around to bunt, but the pitch was inside. As he pulled his bat out of the way, the ball hit the knob of the bat and bounced into fair territory.

The Rays picked up the ball and tagged first, insisting Jeter was out. Which he was, or which he should have been, if it hadn't been for some pretty good acting by Derek resulting in a hit-by-pitch call.

Although Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon argued until he got tossed, the call remained. Hit by pitch, take your base.

The next batter, Curtis Granderson, hit a home run to give New York the lead, 3-2.

Tampa Bay ended up coming back and winning the game, so Jeter's acting did not end up a deciding factor.

But what if it had been?

What if Dan Johnson didn't hit the home run, his second on the day, to give the Rays the lead again?

Boy, can you imagine what the sports radio hosts would be saying in Tampa Bay?

So of course, this starts up talk about instant replay: should it be extended?

The answer is no.

Why?

Because that's baseball.

I'm not going to give you garbage like "We can't have a perfect system." Anyone who uses that reason doesn't know what they're talking about.

Hell, "Because it's baseball" doesn't sound like a good reason either.

But it's true.

Think about it. In the old school ways of baseball, guys didn't use steroids, guys didn't complain and whine about contracts, guys just played.

With no replays.

It's been like that for 150 years. It's been America's pastime like that for 150 years.

In fact, controversy gives fans something to talk about, and it brings attention to the game.

Baseball doesn't need the game to be stopped every other inning because someone doesn't agree with a call. Imagine if batters could appeal called strikes that they don't agree with. Baseball games are already too long.

The bottom line is: baseball was baseball without technology. It should stay baseball without technology.

What Jeter did was old-school baseball, the way it was meant to be. Nice guys finish last, you take what they give you.

Jeter did what anyone trying to win his team a ballgame would've done.

Because that's baseball.

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