The Lone Game Derek Jeter Played Against The New York Yankees
Baseball luminary Derek Jeter rose to prominence as a shortstop for the New York Yankees. Per Biography, the team drafted the Michigan-raised player in 1992. Needless to say, Jeter left his mark on both the MLB and the Yankees. Britannica writes that he helped the team win the World Series in 1996. This was the first time the Yankees had been triumphant in 18 years (via the Baseball Hall of Fame). From then on, Jeter's career exploded. He was named the Yankees team captain in 2003. By the time he retired in 2014, he had 3,465 hits, 1,923 runs scored, and 4,921 bases.
According to Sports Illustrated, Jeter spent 20 years with the Yankees. However, Jeter represented Team USA in the 2009 World Baseball Classic (per the New York Daily News). The New York Times notes that he later became the team captain. USA Baseball explains that the World Baseball Classic creates teams with various Major League players to participate in international championships. Although he had partaken in the World Baseball Classic in 2006, 2009 was different. As part of Team USA, he played against his beloved team, the Yankees.
Derek Jeter defeated the Yankees 6-5
The George Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida, where the Yankees have their spring training, hosted the Team USA game against the New York Yankees, according to Chron. Per ESPN, the game occurred in early March 2009 before the official start of the World Baseball Classic. Although Derek Jeter was not playing for the Yankees that day, ESPN notes that he worked out in the team's weight room before starting the game. However, as part of Team USA, Jeter's teammates included Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis, both of whom played for the Boston Red Sox.
The Yankees and the Red Sox have a long-standing rivalry that began in 1920, per the Connecticut Post. Despite this, the athletes worked together and Team USA defeated the Yankees 6-5. ESPN adds that Jeter fared well and went 2-for-4, with a walk. Likewise, he had two RBIs. Jeter later said that the match "seemed like an intrasquad game" to him.
When his fellow USA teammates Pedroia and Youkilis were booed, Jeter said (per ESPN), "I expected that." David Wright was also on the team and expressed his eagerness to work with Jeter. He stated (via The New York Times), "I'm excited to have a locker next to him and play next to him. Obviously, he's a class act. I'm interested to get in his head a little bit. This is a huge learning experience."
His Yankee teammates didn't think the situation was bizarre
Per the New York Daily News, Derek Jeter had the same jersey number playing for Team USA as he did with the New York Yankees; No. 2. Of course, his uniform differed from the Yankees and featured shades of gray and red. Nonetheless, his Yankee teammates were not put off by the situation. Jorge Posada said that the Yankees knew that Jeter would be part of Team USA for the World Baseball Classic. However, he noted, "It would've been weird if he was on another club in the American League." The publication adds that Jeter interacted with other Yankee players and associates on the day of the game.
On the other hand, Jeter told ESPN, "It was strange running to the other dugout. I almost ran to the other side a couple times." When then-Yankees manager Joe Girardi saw Jeter in the team clubhouse while he worked out, the New York Daily News writes that he jokingly yelled "Out!" at him. Despite beating his team, Jeter stated (via ESPN), "It's a good feeling." He added, "You have a sense of pride when you're out there playing." According to The New York Times, Japan eliminated Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. Japan won the competition shortly after.