Local Fox News got on Jeter's case last night because while he was at the hospital for his shoulder injury, he wore a surgical mask, apparently afraid of SARS. He looked pretty ridiculous with the mask while everyone around him was not wearing one. A bit over the top, Derek!

Yeah, a hypochondriac who's been on the DL only three times in his career...

Anyway, isn't a hypochondriac someone who always thinks he/she is sick, rather than someone who's overly precautious about getting sick?

The pic I saw many other people were wearing masks as well. Hypochondria is defined as an abnormal anxiety over one's health, often with imaginary illnesses. The fact that he was wearing a mask doesn't make him a hypochodriac. Perhaps a bit germphobic. But it may be policy at that hospital for all we know. And I know if I were going to a hospital that had some SARS exposure, I'd be wearing a mask and not giving a rats ass what anybody else thought.

[ April 02, 2003, 07:44 AM: Message edited by: George_vikingfan ]

The photo I saw showed all the hospital personnel wearing masks as well. In an article in today's paper it seems clear that Jeter was in such pain from his shoulder injury that he didn't even recall the mask being put on him at the hospital.

Not sure if Fox has it out for him but they defintely portrayed it as being Jeter's over-zealousness. Republican-driven Fox, I'd think, would be more supportive of Jeter, him being more conservative than liberal.

I've never heard or read of Jeter saying anything remotely political... or interesting. He did seem arrogant in his snippy comments about Toronto catcher Huckaby and his attempts to phone him.

The Yanks will get by pretty well in his absence, simply because Jeter is no superstar (and a lousy defensive SS) the last couple of seasons, despite what the Hype Machine says.

Jeter was sent to a hospital in Toronto and since Toronto is a hotbed for SARS I don't blame him for wearing a mask. In fact, the hospital may have given it to him for his own safety.

Apparently some Yankees (Robin Ventura, Enrique Wilson?) have said they thought it was a "dirty" play, although Joe Torre says he thinks not. Huckaby, the catcher, was basically in a foot race with Jeter to the third base bag. That they collided should be no surprise.

Huckaby says he called and left a message for Jeter apologizing for the incident. Jeter claims that "nobody" knows his cell phone number, hence how could Huckaby have left a message. So, it's entirely possible Huckaby got a wrong number and left a message on someone else's phone. He's said his apology publically, although J.P. Ricciardi (Toronto's G.M.) says Why should he have to apologize for playing hard?

[ April 02, 2003, 10:25 AM: Message edited by: canmark ]

Harvey Araton of the NY Times also comes down against Jeter's reaction to the collision.

Watching tonight's game on TV the announcers said it was established that Jeter definitely did not get a call from Huckaby (apparently he had a wrong number), and that when Huckaby found out he went to the Yankee clubhouse, found Jeter, and the two talked and shook hands and it's now forgotten.

On an unrelated note, there were several shots of Jeter during the game. Each time the announcers said something along the lines of "there's Derek Jeter in a sling." My heart beat faster every time.

Granted: Depending on the hospital it may have been unnecessary. Nevertheless, the "SARS effect" is starting to eb felt throughout the nation's medical system. Staff are leaving their jobs, and the public health official in China who monitoring the disease from the beginning died from the disease.

Flights have even been cut.

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/030402/1/39pck.html

The American Association of Cancer researchers just cancelled their convention in Toronto scheduled for this weekend. That's 12,000 medical professionals who've decided it's unsafe to come to Toronto.

After China and Hong Kong we have the third highest number of cases and deaths from SARS. It's really unfortunate.

I think this was just TC trying to be nasty about Derek Jeter. Hell, he should wear a mask since SARS has been fatal and Ontario is the SARS hotspot in North America.

Poor Jeter. He produces day in and day out, gets slammed by that fat obstreperous felon George Steinbrenner, and gets the first hit by a Yankee this season to start them on their winning streak, and gets taken out by some goofy-named unknown.

Personally I think big ole' right winger Roger Clemens needs to teach Huckaby a lesson the next time they play. Pick your weapon, Roger...ball, broken bat, cleated shoe....