Baseball fans are familiar with the story of friends-turned-rivals-turned-teammates – Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez. Apart from their complicated past, what linked the two together was their skill on the diamond. While Rodriguez’s explosive talent was visible in his stats, Jeter was always a leader crucial to his team’s victories. And that, ultimately, is what made for the stark contrast between them.

Therein lay the root of their early rivalry. What led Rodriguez to make those infamous comments about Jeter in 2001? What was the fundamental difference between the two players’ understanding of the game? Each ballplayer’s interviews highlight what differentiated one from the other.

Alex Rodriguez embarked on the path of personal development

MLB franchises remain the same, but what changes every few generations is the players that make up the team. Baseball may be a team sport but the contribution of each matters. That’s why history usually remembers the names of great ballplayers, not great teams. Alex Rodriguez understood that well and worked tirelessly to hone his skills and efforts. Of course, he’s only human, and mistakes were bound to happen.

In an interview with Barstool Sports about his worst year, A-Rod said, “The minute I got home that off season, in ’06, I got to work. I built a batting cage in coral gables, and I just became a madman about my work. And I just wanted to clean up my game.” But the best year came right after.

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A-Rod continued, “07, I hit, I think, 15 home runs in April, and it was a wrap; I won the MVP in April. And that was – ’07 was by far my best year, but I was playing mad with a chip on my shoulder. And I wanted to f*cking kick ass and take names.”

During both these years, A-Rod had put on pinstripes after clearing up the relationship drama with Jeter a few years ago. But Rodriguez also opened up about what led to those Esquire comments in 2001. While he worked on personal improvement and broke records with his eye-popping contracts, Rodriguez also felt that a good team surrounded Jeter.

But in reality, Jeter also worked with that team, always.

Derek Jeter aimed beyond personal triumphs

Even today, almost a decade after his retirement, fans still lovingly call Jeter Captain Clutch. He may have made some significant moves during his 20-season career that make him stand out as a Yankee. But ultimately, the Hall of Famer always focused on the team first. In an interview with MLB Network before his Cooperstown induction, Jeter told Harold Reynolds about his best years.

 “’96, ’98, ’99, 2000, and 2009. That’s it, I’m telling you… that’s my best years,” he said – all the years he won the World Series with the Yankees. He continued with a heart-touching message when asked if those 5 rings meant different to the former Yankees captain. 

“Personal statistics and accolades are great; anyone will tell you that. But you play to win. They remember you if you win, especially Yankee fans.”

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While the best years of these former legendary Yankees may differ, what unites them is their shared motivation to play for the team and be remembered by the passionate Yankees fans.