Published 12/04/2022, 11:00 AM EST
Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez, two New York Yankees infielders, played together for almost a decade in the Bronx. However, the two shortstops shared a dynamic long before they crossed paths in New York.
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A-Rod and Jeter started off as best friends who first met at a college baseball game. Eventually, with splendid performances in the park, their popularity, fan bases, and pockets grew. Slowly and steadily, ego and a power-dynamic circling “who’s better” entered their life. Ultimately, when A-Rod came to New York, their popularity was at its peak, and everyone spoke about their relationship.
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Alex Rodriguez once spoke about his relationship with Derek Jeter shortly after moving to New York
In an interview from February 2004, shortly after finalizing his deal with New York, A-Rod received a question about his relationship with Derek Jeter. A-Rod, who played as a shortstop for the Mariners and Rangers, had to switch to third base after arriving at the Pinstripes, as that position was already occupied by Captain Jeter.
The response to the question was rather surprising, and probably incomplete as well. A-Rod said, “He’s like a brother to me. We’ve been out to lunch this week, three or four times already. I think they have to see us hold hands and go to a movie so they know that we’ve made up. More fifty years old, they’re going to say, ‘Well Alex and Derek, are they arguing? Are they best friends? Are they brothers?’ We just have fun with it now.”
Notably, the beef between A-Rod and Jeter began in 2000, when A-Rod signed a record-breaking deal with the Texas Rangers. Following the deal, A-Rod passed an avoidable comment and took a dig at Jeter by saying that no one, including Jeter, would be able to beat the deal that he’d just received.
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What relationship do Jeter and A-Rod share today?
The duo has come a long way since their altercations back in the day. However, even today, they are nowhere close to friends. If anything, they’re acquaintances and maintain a very civil relationship – as Jeter particularly specifies in his mini-documentary.
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Would the Yanks have a few more awards to their name had Jeter and A-Rod been on good terms throughout their tenure together? What do you think? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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