So, no players attended Bob Sheppard’s funeral. For the most part, I don’t have a problem with that. After all, the players had no personal relationship with him. Put that together with the All Star Game and the death of George Steinbrenner and you can pretty much see how something like this can happen. I’m willing to give all the players a pass on this one. All of them, that is, except Derek Jeter.
Here is what Jeter said when asked about it:
“To be quite honest with you, I didn’t even know his funeral was (Thursday). Having said that, I don’t necessarily think you have to go to a funeral to honor somebody. I think a lot of players honor (Sheppard). That’s the reason I’ve recorded his voice throughout the years and I will continue to honor him every time I go to the plate for the rest of my career. I was not aware of (the funeral), and I don’t know how many players were aware of it.” [NY Daily News]
I don’t agree entirely with that statement. If you have gone so far as to record the man’s voice and use it for the rest of your career, wouldn’t you want to be there for his funeral? And even if you didn’t know when the funeral was, wouldn’t you want to find out? I think so.
Jeter dropped the ball on this one. Give him an E-6.
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