Fans remember Derek Jeter for his clutch plays, relentless work ethic, and desire to improve. To put it simply, they remember him as one of the greatest shortstops ever. Unfortunately for the New York Yankees legend, his tenure as Miami Marlins CEO and part-owner did not go as well. In fact, a former top executive recently mocked Jeter over his time with the Marlins.

Notably, Jeter stepped down from the role in February last year, following 5 years as CEO. But several experts raised questions about the Yankee legend’s suitability for a top administrative role. This most recent statement by a top former executive only adds to the criticism of Jeter’s Marlins tenure.

Former Miami Marlins President Dave Samson criticizes Derek Jeter for his tenure as the team’s CEO

Derek Jeter was part of an ownership group that bought the Miami Marlins in September 2017. Following the takeover, Jeter took the role of CEO and led the team until his resignation in February 2022. Most recently, Former Marlins President Dave Samson mocked and criticized the Yankees legend for his time as CEO on the Front Office Sports Today Podcast. He said that Jeter tried to undo everything he had done and also outdo him in the process. Samson mocked the legendary shortstop brutally.

According to Front Office Sports, Samson said, “He assumed that he could get a bigger TV deal. He assumed he could get a big naming rights deal, that he’d get tons of season ticket holders, that he would make the team a winning team. And after four years, I think he realized that being a shortstop and being an executive are two totally different things…. And I think he realized quickly that being a pitch man for Subway was probably going to be more up his alley than running the team every day and being accountable for that.” 

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Samson was the President of the Marlins before Jeter took over and lost his job because the Yankees legend fired him. This may have left a bitter aftertaste in the former executive’s mouth. But Jeter was criticized a lot for his time as CEO, and eventually left the position. He even sold his stake in the team, leaving fans baffled.

Jeter did not succeed during his time as the Marlins’ CEO?

The excitement and enthusiasm surrounding Derek Jeter’s appointment as Marlins CEO died down, eventually. This was due to a lack of tangible success for the team. During his tenure with the Miami-based franchise, they qualified for the playoffs just once. That was during the COVID shortened 2020 season. Furthermore, there seemed to be a difference of opinion on the franchise’s future, leading to Jeter selling his shares in the team and stepping down as CEO.

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What do you think of former Marlins President Dave Samson’s criticism of Derek Jeter? Kindly share your thoughts in the comments below!