“You Can’t Afford That” – A Salesman Once Left an Eager Derek Jeter Bemused When He Wanted to Buy a Car

Hall of Famer Derek Jeter was the first player to be drafted by the Yankees in 1992. After playing for four seasons in the minors, he was selected to play in the big leagues in 1995. That was the start of the influential career he would get in the next two decades. In all the time that Jeter played in the minors and big league, he met countless people. Few of whom left an impact on him. But there was one person on whom Jeter had left an impact.

The former shortstop’s first locker mate in the minor league, Chris Heaps, is that person. Even though he did not go with him to play in the big league, he still has some fond memories of the short time they spent together in the minors. One of which he shared in a phonic interview with NJ.com, during which, a salesman had left Jeter stunned.

What did Heaps say about Derek Jeter?

Being the first draft pick of a team like the Bronx Bombers was a big deal back in 1992, and it isn’t a small thing even now. But then, Jeter’s first visit to Tampa had given a good enough memory to Heaps and the other players present at the time. 

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Not long after the former Yankee came to Tampa, a group of players went to a car dealership. That place, to this day, is still a block away from where the Yanks training facility resides. Having an eye for detail, Jeter had his sights set on a red Mitsubishi GT-3000. But the salesman who came to him did not know who he was, which prompted him to say, “Do you know how much this is? You can’t afford that.”

Jeter, at the time, may not have said anything. But that statement from the salesman transpired all the other players to look at each other in astonishment. While the former Captain was set on his path to becoming a Hall of Famer one day, the salesman at the time did not know anything about him, which he would have regretted after Jeter rose to fame. 

 How did Jeter leave an impact on Heaps?

Also, Heaps did not have an extensive career with the Yankees as Jeter had. The former fought with homesickness during his time in the minors. He did not know that he would later find out that Jeter had fought through the same homesickness that he had. And he continued to watch Jeter from far away becoming the MLB great. 

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