Jeter Not Talking Yet
Tampa, FL – Derek Jeter watched Alex Rodriguez’s confession on television but plans to put off discussing it publicly until the entire media mob that covers the New York Yankees arrives for spring training.
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“I’m not addressing Alex’s situation until everybody is here,” Jeter said Tuesday after working out at the Yankees’ minor league complex. “If you’ve got baseball questions, I’ll do that. If I talk to you guys today, then tomorrow three more people. It’s better just to get everybody together.”
In an interview Monday with ESPN, Rodriguez admitted that he used banned substances while playing for the Texas Rangers from 2001-03. The three-time MVP was responding to a weekend report by Sports Illustrated that he had flunked a drug test.
“I understand you guys have a job to do,” Jeter said. “You have to understand we have a job to do, and it’s much better for me, it’s much better for the team to address it one time and get it over with.”
Rodriguez and the rest of New York’s position players must report to spring training by next Tuesday. Pitchers and catchers are due in Friday.
here were about a dozen media members present at Tuesday’s workout.
“I’m not going to do it every single day,” Jeter said. “People talk about, ‘Are things a distraction?’ It’s a distraction when you talk about it every single day.”
And the shortstop noted that distractions are nothing new for the Yankees.
“Every year it’s something,” Jeter said. “It’s the Yankees. There’s always a story at some point. I think a lot of the guys that have been here are pretty much used to it. Not something at this level, but they’re used to answering questions about some other things. Once baseball activities begin, hopefully we’ll put it all behind us.”
Jeter took batting practice in a group that included Jorge Posada, Nick Swisher and Brett Gardner. The Yankees’ captain said the A-Rod situation was not a major topic of discussion.
“I think a lot of times with situations where there’s controversy, a lot of guys pull for each other and come together. That’s what you hope for in this situation,” Jeter said.
Gardner said A-Rod’s admission surprised him.
“Hopefully, the fans will forgive him,” Gardner said. “We’re going to support him. We love having him as a teammate.”
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Posted: 2/11/09 12:00AM ET
