Francona Calls Jeter the Best Player, and Person, in Baseball

Former Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona has a man crush on Derek Jeter, as unbelievable as that my sound to Yankees and Red Sox fans.

On Baseball Tonight on Monday, the new ESPN analyst followed up Jeter’s postgame interview with Tim Kurkjian about a new approach to hitting since his 3,000th hit by saying the Yankees captain was the “best player” in Major League Baseball.

“I hope Little Leaguers are watching these interviews,” Francona said, “because this is what you want your kids to grow up and be like. This guy’s not just the best player, he’s the best person.”

Wow, who would have thought Tito would ever be in Jeter’s corner, but apparently fired Red Sox manager has been a big Jeter fan all along, and said he appreciated the tip of the cap Jeter always gave him prior to their American League East rivalry games.

“It meant a lot to me,” Francona said. “Then he tries to beat your brains out (on the field). He just represents the game so well.”