Former Arch-Enemies Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter Once Talked About the Time ‘A-Rod’ Changed His Position From Shortstop to Third Baseman

One of the best friendships or rivalries between the players in the history of Major League Baseball was between Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter. Their friendship started almost three decades ago. Later, after a couple of years, it started to take a turn for the worse, and they became rivals. Since then, anything involving Jeter and Rodriguez has had people talking about them going from best friends to arch-rivals. 

Earlier this year, a seven-part docu-series got released about the life of ‘The Captain’ Derek Jeter. Because Alex Rodriguez had played a major part in Jeter’s life, he was also in the documentary telling his side of the story. 

There, Jeter and Alex, together, talked about many things, which included Rodriguez transferring to the New York Yankees by changing his position from shortstop to third baseman. Alex has been a third baseman from the start till the moment he entered the New York Yankees in 2004. Jeter had been curious as to why Alex did it. Why did he change his positions? So when he got the chance, he asked Alex about it. 

What did Alex Rodriguez say to Derek Jeter about changing positions?

Derek was eager to know why Alex, in his prime, when he had just won MVP and Golden Glove, switched positions? And the reason behind Alex wanting to give that all up was to play third base. Because if Jeter would have been in his place, he wouldn’t have done that. 

“(Alex) came here knowing the Captain of the team, and a four-time World Champion was the shortstop. I respect that shortstop. I respect you,” said Alex while talking about the scenario in one of the parts of Jeter’s documentary. 

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Furthermore, he continued to say that if George Steinbrenner would have called him into the office to say that he’d be removing Jeter as a shortstop and putting him in Jeter’s place; he said he’d rather move back to Texas. 

Jeter was in awe of A-Rod after his decision!

Hearing ‘A-Rod’ say that he wouldn’t have played shortstop, even if Steinbrenner himself would have offered him the position, made a mark on Derek. Despite winning many accolades while playing as a shortstop, Rodriguez changed positions when he came to the Yankees. It surprised many of his fans and the MLB world in general. 

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Sacrificing his best position while in his prime surely might have made things a little better between the duo, who have had their differences in the past.