“Didn’t Sleep, Didn’t Talk to Anybody.”: When Derek Jeter Divulged His Most Devastating MLB Experience

2001 was among one of the craziest seasons baseball has ever seen. Reigning champions facing tough situations, underdog teams rising to the forefront, and generally poor teams suddenly becoming superstars – 2001 saw it all. The Oakland A’s, not the most popular MLB team, won 102 games that season. They even came close to defeating the New York Yankees in the ALDS. But the most surprising was the World Series and Derek Jeter‘s reaction to it.

The Yankees had won three consecutive World Series championships before that year and were heavily favored to win in 2001 as well. After all, their opponents were the Arizona Diamondbacks, a new team. But in a shocking twist, the Bronx Bombers faced a defeat to the Diamondbacks. It was one of the biggest upsets in all of sports history and neither team has forgotten it to this day.

Derek Jeter was devastated at the Yankees’ loss to the D-backs

Overwhelming shock or grief – that is the truest definition of the word devastated. And looking back at footage from that day, anyone can see it on Jeter’s face. He could not believe what was happening. One of the most well-known baseball teams in the world, his team had lost.

“It was the most devastating thing that I have been a part of at the Major League level. I felt like they’re on the field celebrating what is ours. And, devastating. Pissed off… Yeah man, it was-that was rough,” Jeter said in his docuseries, The Captain.

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2001 was the year the former shortstop earned the nickname Mr. November when he hit a home run as the clock struck midnight. But at the end of the day, it didn’t matter. That championship was not the only thing he had to give up, Jeter lost sleep too. The aftermath was a tough time for everyone, but especially so for Jeter, whose winning mentality had led the team so far. “Didn’t sleep, shaking your head, didn’t wanna talk to anybody. Just disappointed,” he said in the docuseries.

Even years later, the Arizona D-Backs haven’t forgotten that iconic victory

The 2001 World Series was one of the best examples of an underdog winning in a surprising way. In 2019, MLB tweeted clips from the day that Derek Jeter got named Mr. November. “18 years ago, the clock struck midnight and Mr. November was born,” read the caption.

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It was a legendary moment, no doubt. But ultimately, it was the D-Backs that won. And they won’t let anyone forget it. The team’s official Twitter reposted the video with the caption, “Anyone know what happened 3 days later?” One of the best trolling moments the internet has seen!