“Too Busy Building Mansions…”- When New York Yankees Owner Indirectly Hit Out at Superstar Derek Jeter for ‘Not Concentrating on Winning’

Derek Jeter is a baseball stalwart with a stellar MLB career. He was the type of player who was always in the spotlight during his playing days. Whether his team wins or loses, his performances always got under the scanner. So when the New York Yankees were once struggling, the co-owner, Hank Steinbrenner, aimed some indirect shots at Jeter. 

Derek is a retired baseball legend with an extraordinarily successful career. His towering achievements are what most players can only dream of achieving. He played for the New York Yankees in his entire MLB career. One of the greatest shortstops, Jeter is a 14-time All-Star player and five-time World Series champion. Post-retirement, he got inducted into the MLB Hall Of Fame. 

Hank Steinbrenner was a co-owner of the New York Yankees franchise. A member of the elite Steinbrenner family, Hank was the son of George and the older sibling of Hal. Back in 2010, when the Yankees were going through a poor state, Hal appeared quite disappointed with his team during a press conference next year. In frustration, he took a passive dig at Jeter. 

When Hank Steinbrenner got disappointed with Derek Jeter 

The New York Yankees are the most popular MLB franchise worldwide. Yankees are also one of the richest brands in baseball. Whoever plays for the team makes a fortune. The type of fortune that can help one to build an empire. 

Derek Jeter was one such beneficiary of a royal Yankees contract. But the Yankees drafted him with the hopes of winning games. So when the team fails, the displeasure is obvious. Therefore, without taking names, Hank indirectly slammed Jeter. 

According to a source, talking to the press in 2011, Hank said, “Too busy building mansions and doing other things, not concentrating on winning.” Though later Hank did try to clarify doubts and take the blame away from Jeter alone, saying, “It was a generalization, a euphemism. That’s all it was.” 

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However, in reply to Hank’s statement, Jeter said, “Owners can say whatever they want to say. They’re owners; they’re entitled to their opinion. You don’t always have to necessarily agree with their opinions, but they can say what they want to say. I have no problem with it.” 

The palace that Jeter built 

Back at the time when Hank’s furious comments made the rounds, Jeter had completed his 31,000 square feet estate Tampa villa. The mansion had seven bedrooms, nine bathrooms, and two garages that accommodated three cars each. In addition, there was an enormous pool and a billiards room. He shared the house with his then-girlfriend, Minka Kelly. 

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Do you fancy living in a mansion similar to Derek Jeter’s villa?