"I can not believe how old you are" - Alex Rodriguez sends quirky video message to former Yankee teammate Derek Jeter on his 50th birthday
Derek Jeter, the Yankees' star player, recently turned 50 on Wednesday. Alex Rodriguez, his long-time teammate and buddy, took the opportunity to poke fun at him while wishing him for his birthday. He posted the video on his Instagram story where he jokingly teased Jeter about his age.
“Derek I want to wish you a 50th birthday. I cannot believe how old you are! Happy birthday “Cap”, see ya!” said Rodriguez in the video.
Derek and Rodriguez have been friends for thirty years. Both of them were a part of the Yankees for ten years, during which they clinched the 2009 World Series Championship. They are currently working together on the “MLB on Fox” show.
Derek Jeter was drafted by the Houston Astros in 1992 and was traded to the Yankees the same year. He retired in 2014 after 20 years with the New York Yankees. In that time, he was selected as All-Star fourteen times and World Series Champion five times. Jeter was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2020.
Derek Jeter discussed his complex relationship with Alex Rodriguez
Derek Jeter's ESPN documentary, "The Captain," which was released in 2022, shed light on his complex relationship with former teammate Alex Rodriguez.
"Jeter's been blessed with great talent around him. So, he's never had to lead. He doesn't have to. He can just go and play and have fun, and hit second," Rodriguez told Esquire magazine in 2001.
"I mean, you know, hitting second is totally different than hitting third or fourth in a lineup, because you go to New York trying to stop Bernie (Williams) and (Paul) O'Neill and everybody. You never say 'Don't let Derek beat you.' That's never your concern." said Rodriguez in an interview with Esquire in 2001.
Jeter, who is known for valuing loyalty, was hurt by Rodriguez's public statements. He didn’t make any official comments on what Rodriguez said until his documentary was released 20 years later.
"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," said Jeter in the ESPN documentary.
Rodriguez made those comments while playing with the Texas Rangers. He later joined the Yankees in 2004 and became teammates with Jeter.