“Except For…Three Rings”: When Alex Rodriguez Tackled a Delicate Question About His Relationship With Derek Jeter

In 1993, when the University of Michigan was playing the University of Miami, Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez first played against each other. Little did the two young shortstops know that seven years down the line, in the American League Championship Series, they will have their next face-off. But this time, as best friends.

Seven years after their first encounter, Jeter was now a three-time World Series Champion with the New York Yankees. Rodriguez, on the other hand, had already won four Silver Slugger awards and made four All-Star appearances. The two shortstops were at their peak and in 2000, the New York Yankees took on the Seattle Mariners in the ALCS, and A-Rod faced a rather delicate and touchy question.

Was Alex Rodriguez jealous of Derek Jeter’s three World Series rings?

In the third episode of Jeter’s documentary called ‘The Captain’, old footage from the 2000 ALCS was displayed. Jeter and A-Rod both received questions about playing against their best friend, and whether it would be difficult. Very candidly, the future Yankees captain, Jeter, said, “Not at all, I mean. I don’t like at it as I’m playing against Alex. It’s the New York Yankees against Seattle Mariners.”

Then the interviewer put A-Rod on the spot, and pretty much tested his jealousy with the next question about his World Series rings. He asked, “You basically have everything the same, except for yes, three rings. How much does that bother you and how badly do you want one?”

Read More: “I Don’t Wanna Take Anything for Granted” – When 5x World Series Champ Derek Jeter Shed Light on the Connection Between His Success and His Catholic Roots

A-Rod, however, tackled the question with his presence of mind and said, “I wouldn’t say that bothers me. It’s something that drives me to keep working hard and keep trying to escalate my game every year.”

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After losing the first game of the ALCS, the Yankees went on to win the Championship Series and eventually the World Series in the iconic World Subway Series.

All in all, what do you think about Jeter and A-Rod’s relationship? Was Jeter ever at peace with the fact that A-Rod was a more successful batter than him? Was Alex actually okay with moving to third base? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!