When Yankees great Alex Rodriguez skipped his former teammate Derek Jeter's jersey retirement ceremony to go on a dinner date with Jennifer Lopez
New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez's absence from Derek Jeter's jersey retirement ceremony in 2017 caused a major stir in the MLB universe.
When the New York Yankees announced that they would retire Derek Jeter's No. 2 jersey, the former All-Star chose to have the ceremony on Mother's Day, i.e., May 14. Several of Jeter's former teammates, including Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera, Bernie Williams, and Andy Pettitte, were present. Alex Rodriguez's absence, however, was noticeable.
On May 14, Rodriguez was in Miami with his mother, Lourdes Rodriguez, as per the New York Post. Although he returned to New York sometime around 6 pm, he decided to head to dinner in Nobu with his then-girlfriend, Jennifer Lopez.
Jeter's jersey retirement ceremony started at 6:35 pm.
Nevertheless, Rodriguez took to Twitter to post a congratulatory message to Jeter.
Thank you for the pleasure of playing alongside you for so many years. Congrats, Captain. #JeterNight https://t.co/tLLITPOs51
"Thank you for the pleasure of playing alongside you for so many years. Congrats, Captain," Rodriguez tweeted.
Once upon a time, Rodriguez and Jeter were close pals. However, their friendship was fractured after Rodriguez's 2001 'Esquire' magazine interview.
Although there have been instances recently where the duo have addressed their past feud, their relationship is not what it used to be.
Former New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez was also absent from Derek Jeter's Hall of Fame induction
New York Yankees legend Derek Jeter was enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown on Sept. 8, 2021.
Just as he skipped Jeter's jersey retirement ceremony, Rodriguez was absent for Jeter's HOF induction as well. But he made sure to congratulate the former Yankees captain on social media.
Taking to Twitter, Rodriguez wrote:
"Congrats to El Capitan on getting inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame today. Congratulations brotha!!!"
Congrats to El Capitan on getting inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame today.
Congratulations brotha!!! https://t.co/XsOYWp7kGt
In 2022, Rodriguez made his first Hall of Fame visit when his friend and Boston Red Sox veteran David Ortiz was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on July 24.