“Not a true friend”: Derek Jeter divulged upon the fractured friendship with Alex Rodriguez after 2001 comment
Follow Us
Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez
In the early 2000’s Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez formed one of the most fearsome duos in MLB history when they teamed up on the roster of the New York Yankees. However, in 2001, the pair also became just as well-known for their fractured relationship and drama throughout their time in the Bronx.
In ESPN’s new “The Captain” documentary, Derek Jeter opened up about the precise moment when he and Rodriguez experienced an ear-shattering dispute in their friendship. Jeter revealed that he discovered A-Rod was actually “no true friend” after the latter gave an infamous interview with Esquire magazine in 2001.
“He’s reserved, quiet,” Alex Rodriguez said in the interview. “Jeter’s been blessed with great talent around him. So, he’s never had to lead. He doesn’t have to, he can just go and play and have fun, and hit second.”
He added, “I mean, you know, hitting second is totally different than hitting third or fourth in a lineup because you go into New York trying to stop Bernie [Williams] and [Paul] O’Neill and everybody. You never say, ‘Don’t let Derek beat you.’ That’s never your concern.”
Derek Jeter was bothered by the loyalty showcased by Alex Rodriguez
Derek Jeter said in the upcoming documentary, per the New York Post. “Those comments bothered me because, like I said, I’m very, very loyal. As a friend, I’m loyal. I just looked at it as, ‘I wouldn’t have done it.’ And then it was the media. The constant hammer to the nail. They just kept hammering it in. It just became noise, which frustrated me. Just constant noise.”
A-Rodriguez did make an appearance in the documentary, trying to justify his acts back in 2011, he even said that he apologized for his remarks at the time. Still, Jeter felt that apology was not enough after the comment, he further identified that the then Ranger’s star A-Rod was “diminishing” him to justify his own 10-year, $252 million contract.
Also Read: “2 Jewish ballplayers”: Joc Pederson and Max Fried to take shape in MLB All-Star game
Derek Jeter explained further, “In my mind, he got his contract, so you’re trying to diminish what I’m doing, maybe to justify why you got paid. When you talk about statistics, mine never compared to Alex’s. I’m not blind.”
“But then it goes back to the trust, the loyalty. This is how the guy feels. He’s not a true friend, is how I felt. Because I wouldn’t do it to a friend.”
Stay Updated!
Yagya Bhargava
(611 Articles Published)