Jeter Criticizes Ortiz Over Yankees Interest
- Derek Jeter voices displeasure towards David Ortiz over apparent interest in joining the Yankees.
- The rivalry between the Hall of Fame athletes remains evident despite their careers being in the past.
- David Ortiz's potential interest in the New York Yankees isn't well received by Derek Jeter.
At the inaugural Fanatics Fest in New York City, baseball legends Derek Jeter and David Ortiz showcased their enduring rivalry through playful banter. During a conversation moderated by ESPN analyst Ryan Clark, Jeter teased Ortiz about his decision to join the Boston Red Sox, implying that Ortiz had once considered playing for the New York Yankees. The crowd reacted with boos, highlighting the historical tension between the two teams. Ortiz humorously defended himself, claiming Jeter had twisted the narrative, which elicited laughter from the audience. The two Hall of Famers reflected on their careers, with Ortiz reminiscing about his journey to becoming an icon in Boston after signing with the Red Sox in 2003. Jeter, who spent his entire 20-year career with the Yankees, and Ortiz, who played 14 years in Boston, have a long history of friendly jabs stemming from their competitive divisional battles. Ortiz also commented on the current state of the Yankees, noting a lack of chemistry in previous seasons but expressing optimism about the team's performance this year. In addition to the Jeter-Ortiz exchange, the opening day of Fanatics Fest featured a live taping of ESPN's "First Take" and a podcast recording with notable figures like Roger Goodell and Rob Gronkowski. As the MLB season progresses, Jeter's Yankees are currently tied for first place in the AL East, while Ortiz's Red Sox trail in the wild card race.