Even the icons had their icons when they were growing up. Alex Rodriguez has repeatedly revealed that few athletes have always inspired him. One of them was Michael Jordan, whose ability to turn himself into a brand touched A-Rod’s sporting and business mind. But more than that, one Baltimore Orioles legend showed Rodriguez that he too could be a shortstop. However, A-Rod was not alone as even Derek Jeter was inspired by this legend.

Alex Rodriguez recently talked about the players that inspired him during the latest episode of The Deal. However, there was one athlete that completely changed the game for Rodriguez. It was the legendary shortstop and Hall-of-Famer – Cal Ripken Jr. The Orioles legend had many similarities with Rodriguez and Jeter which actually helped them develop their baseball dreams.

“Cal was my hero growing up,” A-Rod said. “My mother bought me a great poster for my ninth birthday. It lived on top of my bed till I graduated. I might have been a rookie till I was 18, it was still there.” But what was it that actually inspired Rodriguez and Jeter? It was how Ripken Jr. had a similar physical stature as them. That made baseball look achievable to them.

“Because he was a taller shortstop, right? 6’4” 225. He gave me hope that somebody as tall as me can play shortstop,” A-Rod said. “And I think Derek Jeter had the same inspiration as well.” That is true as both Jeter and Rodriguez stood at 6’3’’ and were at one point the premier shortstops of baseball. However, it isn’t just the height that inspired Rodriguez, it was Ripken’s dedication.

Alex Rodriguez shared how Cal Ripken Jr. was the epitome of “sticking with it.” That was proven when despite his retirement Ripken continued to stay connected to baseball by becoming a coach for younger kids. And as for Jeter? He has turned Ripken Jr. from an inspiration to a partner.

How Derek Jeter and Cal Ripken Jr. partnered up in Kalamazoo

In November 2023, Derek Jeter and Cal Ripken Jr. stood at Kalamazoo Central High School to present it with a gift. The duo gifted Jeter’s alma mater with state-of-the-art baseball and softball fields. While Jeter’s Turn 2 Foundation helped in its construction, Cal Ripken Jr. too decided to lend a helping hand for the great initiative. During its inauguration, Ripken shared what inspired him to take up this work – a desire to give back to society. 

“We both were fortunate enough to be raised by terrific parents in solid homes,” Cal Ripken Jr. said. “And because of that similarity, we were both encouraged to use the platform that baseball provided us to give back, and make a difference in the lives of young people.” The fields were named after Derek Jeter’s family and were met with a highly positive reception. Derek Jeter had previously promised his alma mater that he’d be gifting them with a baseball field. However, later they realized that a softball field too was the need of the hour. As a result, the two used their foundations to turn this huge dream into a reality.

Jeter’s foundation funded the $5 million complex. However, Ripken’s foundation, the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation helped in designing and building the complex. Ripken’s foundation has built 118 parks since 2010. That experience came to full use in Kalamazoo. So as it stands, both Jeter and Alex Rodrigeuz were inspired by Ripken. But Jeter managed to turn that relationship into something deeper. Even icons have icons but some turn them into friends.