“I Gave You My Word”: When Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter Spent a Rainy Evening by Themselves to Clear the Air

With his MLB debut in 1994 with the Seattle Mariners, Alex Rodriguez became the youngest position player in the Mariners’ history. In no time at all, A-Rod made his MLB presence visible, before signing an unbelievably whopping 10-year deal with the Rangers worth $252 million after the 2000 season. Three seasons into his career with the Rangers, A-Rod won two Golden Gloves, and three Silver Slugger awards. Moreover, he also led the AL homer chart for three straight years and also won the AL MVP award in 2003.

Despite his massive success at shortstop and a long list of accolades, A-Rod made the bold decision to opt out of his contract with the Rangers and move to New York, to play a brand new position. The $252 million contract man’s move to New York was questioned by many. And along with a plethora of people who failed to understand the motive behind this move was New York Yankees captain and four-time World Champion Derek Jeter.

But on a rainy day, when the Yankees were taking on the White Sox, the truth behind this move came to light.

A rainy day interaction with Derek Jeter revealed A-Rod’s true character and agenda behind his move to New York

In Jeter’s documentary, called ‘The Captain’, A-Rod revealed the real “agenda” behind his move to New York, when Captain Clutch and the future 696-homer slugger shared a moment in the dugout when everyone cleared out due to rain.

A-Rod, who prepares to be teammates with Jeter again in 2023, once approached his captain and asked him if everything was okay. And whether there was any tension between them. Jeter frankly responded by questioning A-Rod’s move to New York, especially given that he would have to switch positions, and the fact that he could never “handle” a move like that.

Candidly responding, Alex Rodriguez said, “I came here knowing that the captain of the team, and a four-time World Champion, was the shortstop. I respect that shortstop, I respect you. And if George Steinbrenner called me into his office tomorrow, and said, I’m moving Derek out of shortstop and I’m putting you, I go back to Texas. I would not play, I gave you my word. I came here to play third base.”

Read More: “Would’ve Been a Bi*ch”: New York Yankees Great Derek Jeter on How He Would’ve Felt if Alex Rodriguez Became His Actual MLB Enemy

His response impressed Derek Jeter, who applauded his character and commitment to his new position: “I give it to him. He never brought up playing shortstop, or there were never any whispers from someone about him wanting to play shortstop. He committed to play third base, and you got to give him credit for that.”

Watch this Story: How Alex Rodriguez’s obsession with Derek Jeter shaped a key part of his bachelor life

Do you think A-Rod hid his true emotions behind moving to third base? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.