Derek Jeter does not get the YES Network at his home in Florida, one of the more shocking things discussed on the ESPN2’s Sunday Night Baseball alternative “Kay-Rod” broadcast, featuring Michael Kay and Alex Rodriguez.
“Are you okay with this?” asked Michael Kay at the open of the segment. “We’ll see,” replied Rodriguez, whimsically addressing the elephant in the room. An hour into the game, the former Yankee captain joined the broadcast to discuss his documentary, The Captain, what Jeter’s future endeavors may be, and what the relationship between A-Rod and Jeter looks like.
The two shared laughs and seemed to be pretty comfortable; especially when Rodriguez tapped Jeter’s leg repeatedly while engaging in conversation with him.
In The Captain, it was extensively revealed how Rodriguez speaking poorly of Jeter during interviews earlier in their careers led to the souring of their relationship. The duo would be teamed up in the Bronx soon thereafter, though, and it was a palpable point of worry: could they get along playing right next to one another?
They won a single World Series together in 2009, making the pairing not a total failure, especially in the eyes of Jeter, where it is “win or bust” at all costs.
Asked on “Kay-Rod” about his recently relinquished ownership role with the Miami Marlins, Jeter described watching the game as, “boring and hard when you can’t make an impact on the game and have to watch it through your own lens.”
Kay wondered if Jeter had followed what Yankee superstar Aaron Judge has done this season; surprisingly, Jeter was not too caught up on it. Of course, he’s not blind to the record pace Judge is on–but Jeter seems to want to move on from baseball.
He has a family of three daughters, like Rodriguez, who has two, and is onto other adventures and pursuits, breaking the mold of just sitting on the couch and golfing in retirement.
Kay asked Jeter what kind of a player Rodriguez was during his career, and Jeter had some nice things to say, but moved through it pretty quickly and onto the next question. As he has become more removed from his career in which he kept much private, Jeter appears to have become more relaxed and open.
It’s a nice sight to see, because knowing that his favorite flavor of ice cream is cookies and cream definitely completed the life of many diehard fans.
The Yankees could use a presence like Jeter with his winning grit and mentality, because they are floundering right now. 12 up 12 down they started against Michael Wacha, who is certainly no Nolan Ryan. After a miraculous first half of the season, they’ve been lackluster since.
If they have truly made up, then it’s because Jeter has improved at letting water flow under the bridge. Either that, or both he and A-Rod are talented actors.
There were many laughs shared during the half hour Jeter appearance, and it never felt too uncomfortable. Fans could relish in the fact Jeter and A-Rod could co-exist together once more.
The Captain will always be one of the all-time greatest – especially when the lights are on him, because he’ll never shy away from his time to shine.
Stream all 7 episodes of The Captain on ESPN+ or through the Disney+ package that includes both ESPN+ and Hulu.
