Once upon a time, a kid from Kalamazoo wanted to become a baseball player. At 18 years of age, he made it to the Bronx as one of the most highly ranked MLB prospects, earning praise from veterans. A seasoned scout even predicted his Hall of Fame career trajectory long before he made his major league debut. But interestingly, Derek Jeter was also a basketball player.

Professional athletes that dominate more than one game are rare and, as Jeter later realized, he was not one of them. His close friend from the NBA, however, was. Michael Jordan famously left his successful basketball career to play baseball at one point in time, but his rightful place was always on the hard court instead of the diamond. And although the former New York Yankees captain made his acquaintance later in life, the two share an intriguing similarity.

Derek Jeter Wore the Same Jersey Number as Michael Jordan

The famous jersey no. 2, retired in 2017, will always be associated with Derek Jeter. But before he committed to wearing pinstripes for life, the ex-Yankees captain used to wear a basketball jersey in school. Never one to claim his prowess, Jeter usually boasts of his skills only humbly. But he once revealed a coincidental fact he shared with MJ.

In his book,?The Life You Imagine: Life Lessons for Achieving Your Dreams, Jeter opens up about his younger days at school. On page 125, there is a team photo of a pre-teen Jeter with the Kalamazoo Hackett logo on the front. Below it, the former shortstop writes, “While baseball has always been my main passion, I love to play basketball. I was number 23 on my elementary school team?maybe I wasn?t as good as another number 23, Michael Jordan, but I sure played my heart out.”

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Indeed, Jeter never backed down and gave it his all in every game, stepping onto the field with a winning mentality each time. Baseball was always his first love, even if he could have shone on a basketball court. But it was as he told Jordan, he would never step foot on one to play professionally. Even so, each athlete has left a lasting legacy on their individual sport.

Jordan Was a Special Guest at Jeter’s Jersey Retirement Ceremony

From friends to business partners for the Air Jordan brand, the duo has been through it all. Each holds immense respect for the other and Jordan even attended the former Yankee’s jersey retirement ceremony. Before he made it to Yankee Stadium, however, the ex-Bulls player penned a letter to Jeter on his Player’s Tribune.

“Your pursuit of greatness on and off the field has set the standard for others to follow. Much RE2PECT on cementing your legacy and having your No. 2 jersey retired,” the end reads.

What a strange twist of fate. Two individuals who once shared a jersey number are now at this point, one paying tribute to another.

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