When Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter's infamous feud was predicted by Esquire writer Scott Raab
Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez have one of the most famous rivalries in MLB history. What makes the rivalry even more interesting is the fact that the duo used to be close friends.
Before they became bitter rivals, the two shortstops were friends in their youth. In a 2022 ESPN documentary about Derek Jeter, named 'The Captain,' it was revealed when the rivalry started.
As shown in the documentary, we can trace back who exactly predicted this rivalry. The individual being Scott Raab, a former Esquire writer. Back in 2001, Raab did an interview with A-Rod. Raab had asked what kind of a person Derek Jeter was.
To answer this question, Alex Rodriguez replied with:
“He’s reserved, quiet. 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"
He added:
"I mean, you know, hitting second is totally different than hitting third or fourth in a lineup because you go into New York trying to stop Bernie [Williams] and [Paul] O’Neill and everybody"
A-Rod continued with:
"You never say, ‘Don’t let Derek beat you.’ That’s never your concern.”
Raab recalled that after this interview, he had thought that he would finally be able to one-up GQ Magazine. He said this in a documentary about the incident:
“I knew especially when I transcribed those tapes, that those quotes were gold,”
This was the beginning of the infamous rivalry between the two Yankees legends. In the documentary, Jeter said that this interview was what made him believe that Rodriguez was not a true friend of his.
When Derek Jeter expressed his thoughts about the infamous Alex Rodriguez interview
Derek Jeter in the 2022 documentary revealed his true thoughts on how he felt when Alex Rodriguez belittled him as a player. Derek Jeter is among the greatest players in the Yankees, but it seems that the remarks made by A-Rod still have a hold of him.
Jeter recalled what his reaction to the comment was. He said:
“Those comments bothered me because, like I said, I’m very, very loyal,”
Jeter added:
“As a friend, I’m loyal. I just looked at it as, ‘I wouldn’t have done it.’ And then it was the media. The constant hammer to the nail."
The Yankees captain continued with:
"They just kept hammering it in. It just became noise, which frustrated me. Just constant noise."
We have ourselves a Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez reunion!
Starting in the 2023 season, Derek Jeter will be joining the FOX MLB broadcast team!
(via @MLBONFOX) https://t.co/qXg0ZSB04M
However, the two did make up right after Rodriguez apologized for the comments. The truce didn't last long as A-Rod gave an interview to Dan Patrick.
In the interview, Alex Rodriguez made similar comments that shrouded doubts about the former Yankees captain's capability as a player.