All sports go through transitions when the biggest names in the game hang up their cleats or sneakers. The NBA has dealt marvelously with its post-Michael Jordan era (a worry for a while), the NFL will have to contend soon enough with its post-Tom Brady phase, tennis has gotten a reprieve from Roger Federer so the young guys can take their time. But Major League Baseball has lost three of its biggest names in swift succession: Derek “The Captain” Jeter, Alex Rodriguez (we didn’t say most beloved players, just biggest), and David “Big Papi” Ortiz.
These are irreplaceable players, of course. But ESPN points out that even these superstars have contemporary doppelgangers in uniform today. For Derek Jeter fans, ESPN notes that Francisco Lindor has much in common with the Yankee great. Noting that Lindor and Jeter each debuted in the postseason as 22-year-olds, ESPN even has the temerity to mention that Lindor probably possesses a better defensive toolkit than Jeter (even with all that diving into the stands Jeter did). And, you know, if you like go-ahead grand slams, the Indians’ Lindor just might be your man, too.
.jpg){kind=link}