Ripken's reputation is probably safe, but it's too bad they didn't have sabermetrics when he was playing - they'll show that he was one of the best fielders of his time, second only to the incomparable Ozzie Smith. One of the same essays that showed Jeter's failings also showed how valuable Ripken was in the field - I think it was that 8 part one.

Anyway, both players are over/underrated - maybe a little overrated by some but not as bad as people say. Jeter has a terrible fielder but more than made up for it with his hitting. Ripken is one of the best all-around shortstops ever and undoubtedly a Hall of Famer, but not one of the best players of all time and not the best player of his era.

But anyway, getting back to my point, he was the opposite type fielder as Jeter - great range, largely due to his height and reaction speed, great arm, and amazing positioning, but not very flashy. So if Jeter's reputation as a fielder gets debunked by this data coming to light, Cal's reputation should also get restored by those who doubted him.

Sabermetrics did exist when Ripken played. Sabermetirics has been around for over 30 years. Bill James and others like that extolled Ripken's fielding and often pointed out how underrated he was as a fielder.

You're right, I really misstated this; I know that sabermetrics existed, what I mean is that they weren't part of mainstream baseball analysis and were underreported. So you still had a large contingent in the press and the public, and furthermore among players and managers, who might not have recognized his value. On the other hand he was so likeable that he always got All Star votes and respect anyway.

For example, he never won the Gold Glove after Omar Vizquel did in 1993, and in my opinion he was moved to third too early.

Ignoring that Cal Ripken, Jr. is one of the most overrated basbeball players of all time, shouldn't it be pointed out that it is odd that the putatively weak fielding Jeter, playing the third most important defensive positioon on the diamond, has a handful of championship rings? As we say to Boston red Sox fans: do the math!