In no world does it make sense for a player to change his position after winning two consecutive Gold Glove awards. It makes even less sense when that player also won back-to-back MVP awards in the same timeframe. Surely a man has to be “drunk” to make that decision, right? It might sound like a joke, but it’s a true story. Alex Rodriguez had confirmed it recently.

2004 saw a generational union between the New York Yankees and A-Rod. One of the greatest players of all time in the biggest franchise? That’s just a match made in heaven. But it made one man very nervous – the then-Mr. Yankee Derek Jeter. Captain Clutch was sure that Rodriguez was coming for his position. So when he heard that A-Rod was shifting to third base, Jeter was shell-shocked. Rodriguez as a third baseman was something he’d “never thought would happen,” but it did and the story is quite hilarious.

Jeter and Rodriguez appeared on The Deal recently. The friends-turned-rivals-turned-friends discussed the tumultuous relationship that defined their baseball careers. A-Rod had just won his second consecutive MVP award with the Texas Rangers but he was not happy. So with a trade imminent teams began scrambling for the superstar. 

While the Boston Red Sox came the closest, they failed right at the finish line. That’s when the Yankees swooped in. As Rodriguez said, “Cashman at the MVP dinner said, ‘Hey, if you’re willing to move to third base, maybe we’ll make something happen.’ Well! I’m not a big drinker…I was three vodkas in. (‘you’re not?’ – Jeter said befuddled) Things have changed. It’s a little blurry,” A-Rod laughed. 

Then Rodriguez revealed how he decided to say yes to Cashman, “And then I, by my third cocktail I go, ‘yeah! Maybe I’ll play third base,’ and two weeks later it happened (the trade).” Certainly, things ended up being great but fans often wondered whether there was any drama backstage or not. Jeter answered that question.

Derek Jeter shares how Alex Rodriguez’s shift was surprisingly calm

When Jeter heard that Rodriguez shifted to third base he wondered whether the fact that he “really wanted out of Texas” made him take up whatever offer came his way. While it was a worrying situation, Jeter shared how A-Rod ensured there was no drama after he arrived at the Bronx Bombers.

“I give it to him. He never asked to play shortstop. Never brought it up. I never heard any whispers about it, ‘cause he had committed to playing third base,” Jeter said. Still, it was a time when speculations ran wild around the Yankees fanbase. But is it a surprise? Two rival shortstops in one team? That’s a recipe for speculation.

But this story gives one important lesson – sometimes the best decisions are taken in the most random of situations. They may not make sense but as A-Rod’s case revealed – sometimes they don’t need to.

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