When Alex Rodriguez aired out feud with Derek Jeter after years of secrecy
MLB legends Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez have seen many ups and downs in their relationship. From being best friends to enemies and teammates, the duo have seen it all.
The feud began between the two when Rodriguez, during an Esquire interview, claimed that Jeter was not 'leadership material' and was only 'surrounded by talented people'.
After years of secrecy, the player aired out a feud with Jeter and was unwilling to hide his rift with him. As reported by The New York Times in 2007, A-Rod said:
“Let’s make a contract, you don’t ask about Derek anymore, and I promise I’ll stop lying to you.”
Rodriguez also admitted that he and Jeter were not best friends but they worked well as teammates. Rodriguez said:
“We were best of friends about 10, 13 or 14 years ago, and we still get along well. We have a good working relationship. I cheer very hard for him, and he cheers hard for me, and, more importantly, we’re both trying to win a world championship. We’ll leave it right there.”
A-Rod and Jeter both played for the New York Yankees.
Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter rekindled their friendship
On Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN in 2022, Jeter and Rodriguez hugged and confessed to having spoken to one another to settle their issues. A-Rod said:
“I do want to address something with Derek that I’ve never told you before, when you talk about accountability, you know, I think in my career, one of the highest, best moments of my career, and one of the lowest, has been a part of you.
He added:
Number one, I really really enjoyed playing with you, and learned so much from you, your leadership. 2009 was unbelievable and I think one of the great moments, I think, of both of our careers.”
Watch:
they're besties https://t.co/FbpiEo2CvY
they're besties - Talkin' Yanks
A-Rod also congratulated Jeter when he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
To The Captain Derek Jeter - congratulations on taking your rightful place in the Baseball Hall of Fame where you will be, for eternity, as one of history’s greatest players, at any position, in any era. https://t.co/nRJaeT8Vmm
To The Captain Derek Jeter - congratulations on taking your rightful place in the Baseball Hall of Fame where you will be, for eternity, as one of history’s greatest players, at any position, in any era. – Alex Rodriguez
The two appeared ready to get past their differences, but Derek Jeter confessed that their conversation on ESPN wasn't their first time speaking.
He mentioned that they had previously met, and Rodriguez remarked that there had been "a lot of cocktails" involved.