Derek Jeter ended his career as a baseball icon. But even during his early days, the New York Yankees legend had some unmistakable characteristics. His coaches and teammates have regularly discussed his winning nature and how it was there from the beginning. One former Yankees skipper even found similarities between Jeter and the Golfer Tiger Woods.

The legendary shortstop sometimes plays golf post retirement. Even Woods once reflected on Jeter’s post-baseball ‘addiction.’ But this former Bronx Bombers skipper drew comparisons between the two when they were in the prime of their respective careers. 

Yankees skipper Joe Torre once noted similarities between Derek Jeter and Tiger Woods

Derek Jeter and Tiger Woods excelled in their respective careers. According to ‘The Life You Imagine Life Lessons for Achieving Your Dreams,’ a book by Derek Jeter, Yankees skipper Joe Torre saw the similarities between the two as early as 1999.

While vacationing in Hawaii during the off-season, the skipper met Woods and saw Jeter in him. There were startling similarities between the two regarding their mentality and winning attitude. The Bombers’ former captain reflected on these similarities while sharing Torre’s story in his book.

According to page 163 of the book, Torre said, “I looked into Tiger’s eyes and I could see it was Jeter.” “I know I’m good, I think only about winning, and I’ll be surprised if I lose, even though I’ll respect the person that beats me.”The book further discussed that, despite being 5000 miles away from the team, he could feel Jeter there. 

This comparison may be a bit divisive, but Jeter and Woods were very similar in their competitive nature.

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Both wanted to be the best and win as much as possible. Furthermore, they achieved major success in their respective sports. But there is one glaring difference between the two. 

Jeter was never involved in a scandal

Derek Jeter was one of baseball’s cleanest players both on and off the field. He never received an ejection on the field while staying away from controversy outside the ballparks. Tiger Woods, on the other hand, was involved in a scandal that ruined his career for a period. But with time, things turned for the better for the professional golfer.

Despite this, it is hard to ignore the words from former Yankees skipper Joe Torre. Do you think that the two sporting legends were as similar as Torre once claimed?

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