Years After His $252 Million Controversy With Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez Confessed His Honest Opinion on Playing Against The Yankees Captain

When discussing sports, one often thinks of controversies and rivalries. For baseball enthusiasts, this also evokes the tale of two close friends turning into competitors. Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter used to be best friends until 2001 when their friendship experienced a crack. Years after, A-Rod revealed his honest opinion on making “a really cool story for baseball” playing against Derek Jeter.

The MLB world has seen several evolutions of relationships over these decades. However, A-Rod and Captain Clutch’s come at the top of the list. For most of their career, these two legends played together. But years after his retirement, A-Rod shared his thoughts on playing for their most significant rival team. Moreover, he also mentioned his excitement to play against Jeter.

Alex Rodriguez Shared His Views on Playing Against Captain Clutch as Shortstop

Since his retirement, the 2009 World Series Champion has loved to be in the mainstream media, often appearing for interviews to share his opinions on different aspects. In 2021, the MLB legend sat for a session with David Ortiz and his co-host, Jared Carrabis. While the discussion started casually, at a point, the 14x All-Star pointed out his love for the shortstop position and shared his excitement to play as a shortstop against the former Yankees Captain.

“I thought it would have been great for baseball because it would have created, you know, as Jeter as Short, and me as Short,  and you know, popular. I think it would have made a really cool story for baseball. That’s what really got me excited and then the opportunity to win a Championship,” said A-Rod.

Moreover, Rodriguez shared how different his baseball career would have been had he joined the Red Sox in 2004. “I thought with Schilling, with Pedro, we can win championships, and sure enough, I was right. I wasn’t part of it.” 

Although the 2009 WS champion praised Jeter for his crystal-clear vision, the two were the closest friends until the former made a few snarky comments in 2001. Although the former Yankees captain never really goes into controversies, he saw it as a betrayal of their friendship.

When A-Rod and Derek Jeter Went Against Each Other

Playing in the same team doesn’t always guarantee friendly relations with teammates. The two Yankees legends were the greatest example of it. After gaining the record-breaking $252M contract from the Texas Rangers, A-Rod once expressed his opinion on why Jeter could not match it.

Highlighted his friend’s lack of versatility and defensive skills as the vulnerable points, A-Rod said in an interview  “He’s reserved, quiet. Jeter’s been blessed with great talent around him. So he’s never had to lead”. 

Hearing this, Captain Clutch, with deep remorse, expressed in ESPN’s documentary ‘The Captain” that his statistics may not be as good as A-Rod’s, “But we won! You can say whatever you want about me as a player. That’s fine. But then it goes back to the trust, the loyalty. This is how the guy feels. He’s not a true friend, is how I felt. Because I wouldn’t do it to a friend.” Thus, the friendship came to almost an end.

Read More: While Flaunting a $218 Billion Brand, Alex Rodriguez Watches the New York Yankees’ Playoffs Dream Being Crushed

However, Alex and Derek seem to bury the hatchet with their sharing the Analyst stage in MLB games.

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