“I Figured if I Jump…” – Derek Jeter Once Got Honest About a Repeat Performance of His Infamous ‘Dive’ That Left Him Bloodied and Bruised

Baseball is no stranger to fantastic athletes. The offense usually steals the day with jaw-dropping hits and home runs that rack up points. But defense is equally important, and while not everyone in the field is as tall as Aaron Judge, ability counts for something. Same goes for the former New York Yankees captain, Derek Jeter, who made one of those iconic moves.

Jeter was a wonder to behold at shortstop, whether with a bat or glove in his hand. He had legendary moves forever inked into the New York Yankees’ history. But one play that even non-Bronx fans remember is the iconic ‘dive’ in 2004. A current player even expressed his desire to recreate it. Incidentally, it wasn’t the first such move from Captain Clutch.

Derek Jeter made some miscalculations while making the 2004 dive

In the heat of a game, it’s nearly impossible to be aware of one’s surroundings. When making a catch, a fielder will look toward where he is running, but accidents still happen.

The Aaron Judge’s current injury sustained at Dodger Stadium fairly testifies such a situation. Somewhat similar was the case of Jeter in the 2004 showdown between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox.

READ MORE – Untold Truth Behind Derek Jeter’s ‘Absurdly Unnecessary’ Diving Catch Against Red Sox That Defined His Defensive Legacy

It was the 12th inning when the captain was positioned close to second base. A fly ball from Trot Nixon sent Jeter into a diagonal sprint, landing him head-first into the stands. A scary moment for sure, since there was no one present there to cushion his fall. Jeter emerged from the seats with blood on his face.

“When I was catching that ball, I knew I was going to fall in the stands because I was too close, but I figured if I jump over the photographers’ pit maybe I’ll run into someone and feel a little bit better…” the Hall of Famer told CBS in 2005. Captain Clutch further explained the irony that took place.

He continued, “Fifty-seven thousand people, and I picked the seat that no one was in,’ he said with a laugh. ‘So that didn’t feel too good either.'”

Jeter took a wild dive into the stands in 2001

In the same game that spawned his ultra-famous ‘flip’, Jeter made a similar dive in 2001. The Yankees were up against the Oakland Athletics in the playoffs, but that day, the catch didn’t leave him with quite as many bruises.

“You know, the thing is, in 2001, I fell in the stands in the same area, but it was in the photographers’ pit, which is all cement, and it didn’t feel too good,” he told CBS in the same interview.

Seems like the miscalculation cost him a bit too much.

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