Does Anybody Really Think Derek Jeter Is The Greatest NY Athlete?

Jeter in GQ in 1998 and in 2011

Is Derek Jeter the greatest New York athlete of all time? According to a new Siena College Research Institute Sports Poll, he's more beloved than Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, and even the great Benny Agbayani. We just wish we could figure out who actually thinks that.

They also found that the Yankees are quite well liked by natives: "It doesn't matter, upstate or downstate, young or old, rich or poor, crazed sports fan or uninterested, the Yankees are New York's favorite team. About a third follow the Giants, Jets, Mets and Knicks, but a majority of every demographic count themselves among the Yankee faithful," said Dr. Don Levy, SRI's director. Altogether, fifty-nine percent of all NYers describe themselves as sports fans, 41 percent do not; and three-quarters of men say they are, but only 43 percent of women call themselves fans. Most NYers love football the most, but NYC residents prefer baseball. And seventy-eight percent of state
residents spend at least some time each week in physical activities including jogging, working out, or playing sports.

So do you think Jeter is really the greatest NY athlete? More so than Ruth, Mantle, Joe Namath, Jackie Robinson, Patrick Ewing, Walt Clyde Frazier and the rest? There's one thing that is for sure though: Jeter definitely is the best when it comes to picking up hot girlfriends.

Is Derek Jeter The Greatest NY Athlete Of All Time?online surveys

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Ben Yakas in News on March 17, 2011 3:32 PM

Comments [rss]

Anthony Grayson

Derek Jeter isn't only a great athlete because of how he plays, but because of his character. It takes more than being a good player to be an all around great athlete. The really famous ones are also role models for kids. He has inspired and helped people to do better as well as be an awesome player. So yes, he is one of the best ever.

Stiff01

Yankee Fans Do .

spiv

Jeter's certainly on par with Gehrig and all the other high profile mentions in the comments, he will achieve one thing that will earn him the title - longevity at a high level. love him or hate him, he's a top notch athlete at the highest level of his sport, consistently clutch, and he will play well, and well into his 40's.

gtraindelay

Donald Arthur Mattingly

ogie

Lou Gehrig ... born in NY played his whole career in NY, i'd take him any day over Ruth, Jeter, or any other Yankee great.

Bushwackers East

Hey johnny - have to agree with you and their release mixes the words.

The poll asked: Many great athletes have participated in organized sports here in the New York area. Who is in your opinion the single greatest athlete of all time that played for a New York team or that you associate with sports in New York?

Derek Jeter was said 14% of the time... 801 people were asked

Other interesting answers were O.J. Simpson, Pele, Carmelo Anthony, Jim Brown

Full list here:
http://www.siena.edu/uploadedf...