And that's the thing: Those who choose A-Rod as the Yankees' current foundation do so only because of his numbers, which are historic (regardless of artificial inflation) and awe-inspiring — and for this they can harbor rightful concern at the prospect of the cyst found in A-Rod's hip forcing any kind of absence from the Yankees' batting order. But they have translated to none of the things Rodriguez claims he wants — rings, recognition as a winner and the respect of his teammates as a leader.

A leader? Would you like to know what a leader does? A leader, when asked the other day about David Wright, says something like this: "I have a great deal of respect for him, because he's talented and he loves to win, and he plays hard. It's a great challenge playing against him, so I'm happy to have the chance to play with him for a little while."

That's what Jeter said about Wright. He didn't say how wonderful it would be if Wright joined the Yankees — even though there have to be moments when he feels exactly that. He has been criticized for not publicly defending A-Rod more, but it is on days like this that you realize his silences are as loud as any words he might employ.

You can't be appointed to that kind of leadership. You either have it or you don't.

"He's a natural leader and a great ballplayer," Davey Johnson said of Jeter, "and that's a hell of a combination. And that's why he's the captain."

And it's why the other Yankee working on the other side of the state never will be. Jeter knows exactly when to talk and exactly when to keep his mouth shut. A-Rod hasn't learned that trick yet. Why would you ever expect he would?

Philadelphia Phillies News News » Surprise, A-Rod's done it again
Surprise, A-Rod's done it again
TAMPA, Fla. - The trendy thing to do among skeptics, cynics and statistical analysts is to diminish who Derek Jeter is, what Jeter is, what he brings to the ballpark every day. His range has shrunk. He is neither slugger nor perennial batting champion. Since signing his $189 million contract, he hasn't even been a part of a World Series winner. More from the New York Post