On July 11, baseball fans were treated to a rare sight – Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter hosting the All-Star game, side by side. Everyone knows them as former New York Yankees who had a tumultuous relationship. It became as rooted in the sport’s history as any famous player stat. Why? Because theirs is a unique story of friendship turned into rivalry, and as if that wasn’t enough, they became teammates.

If there is one thing sports fans understand, it’s that when two players wear the same jerseys, they must put aside all personal history. Jeter and Rodriguez tried to let go of their troubled past for the sake of the pinstripes they wore. Time may heal all wounds, but it was barely successful where these two were concerned. But how did this change come about? Did Rodriguez try to apologize for his comments?

After the Esquire Piece Came Out, Alex Rodriguez Made a Long Trip to Derek Jeter

Talent and opportunity are two things needed to succeed in life, no matter what work area. Baseball is the same. To an observer looking at statistics, Alex Rodriguez was more talented, but Derek Jeter achieved more team success. In their younger days, that was a bitter pill to swallow for A-Rod, so he made some hurtful comments to Esquire magazine about Jeter in 2001.

“Jeter’s been blessed with talent around him. He never had to lead. He can just go play and have fun. And he hits second—that’s totally different than third or fourth in a lineup. You go into New York, you wanna stop Bernie and O’Neill. You never say, Don’t let Derek beat you. He’s never your concern.”

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Ouch! These words were like a dagger to the heart, especially when said by someone once considered a friend. The connection was broken, forever irreparable. But Rodriguez tried to apologize immediately afterward.

According to former Yankees manager Joe Torre, A-Rod drove two hours from spring training with his then team- the Texas Rangers, but unfortunately it was too late.

In his book, The Yankee Years, Torre writes on page 258, “Jeter requires fierce, unqualified loyalty from friends and teammates. You are either with him or not, and there is no allowance for switching sides or absolution. In that sense, he is demanding, even coldly so, with the requirements of his inner circle.” 

Where is the Popularly Controversial Duo Now?

Jeter is in the Hall of Fame, while A-Rod manages a successful investment business. A lot has changed since then, including the two’s relationship. The media still brings it up occasionally, but fortunately, the duo is doing well.

Rodriguez has long been working as an MLB analyst for FOX Sports, a role which Jeter joined him in this year. Fans have eagerly watched their interactions to pick apart any discord between the two, but all seems to be good, anyway.

As they say, time may heal all wounds but doesn’t erase scars.

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