Derek Jeter's exemplary behavior inspired Padres star Xander Bogaerts who wears number 2 in his honor
Back in 2017, when the New York Yankees were about to retire Derek Jeter's jersey, many players who wore no.2 came out and professed their admiration for the legend. Out of these players, one was Boston Red Sox's Xander Bogaerts, who talked about how Jeter inspired him during his early days.
Derek Jeter, as we all know, wore the iconic no. 2 for the New York Yankees. He would be part of the Yankees dynasty that won four World Series titles in five years and would lead them to another title in 2009, this time as team captain. He was well known for his humble and calm off-field demeanor, choosing to stay away from scandals and a lot of media attention.
His persona has inspired young players like Bogaerts who looked up to him while starting off in their careers. Bogaerts, who is also a shortstop himself, has played so far for the Yankees rivals but that didn't stop him from claiming Jeter as an idol. Before the no.2 jersey was retired by the Yankees, Bogaerts had said:
"Derek Jeter is one of the prime examples of how you want any kid growing up to be, just to take the good habits that he had. He has been a huge role model."
At age 30, Xander Bogaerts already has the same number of Silver Sluggers as Derek Jeter with 5.
Feels like a guy you’d want to keep around. 🤷🏻♂️
https://t.co/1nPIaoMGvx
Bogaerts was wowed during his first interaction with Jeter and even though he didn't have much time to talk to him personally, it was the former Yankees captain himself who slid in a word of encouragement for someone who was just starting off. They met during Jeter's final season with the Yankees as they traveled to Fenway Park to play the Red Sox.
"That was one of the things he always did," Bogaerts had said. "He told me, 'Keep working hard. You are a good player.' "
Derek Jeter himself might not have taken up the no.2
When Jeter's jersey was being retired by the Yankees, all but one of the AL East's shortstops wore No. 2. However, Derek Jeter himself might not have taken up that number. He was more interested in getting the number 13, the number his father, Charles, wore while he was a shortstop at Fisk University.
When the-then rookie arrived in the Big Apple, catcher Jim Leyritz wore No. 13. Therefore, during the 1996 Spring Training, Jeter was handed the no. 17. He had to speak to Yankees officials to change his number.
"I said, 'Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa,' " Jeter had recalled in an interview with ESPN's Karl Ravech. " 'You know, I do want No. 2.' So, I think if you go back to the program in 1996 spring training, I was listed at No. 17."
Regardless of what number he wore, there is no doubt that Jeter would have shown the same level of excellence and dutiful attitude that he showed in his 20-year-long career.