The unpredictable Detroit weather delayed ALDS Game 3 between the Tigers and Mariners, and guess what, it threw pre-game show analyst Derek Jeter into a situation no one saw coming.

But just when things looked uncertain, came none other than former Red Sox legend David Ortiz to save the day. Big Papi and Jeter teamed up in a lighthearted rescue operation!

“The weather in Detroit had no regard for Derek Jeter’s parent-teacher conference,” FOX Sports shared the hilarious event just before the rain-delayed Tigers-Mariners game.

During Fox’s extended pregame coverage of Tuesday’s rain-delayed ALDS Game 3 between the Mariners and Tigers, things took a funny turn when Jeter’s phone started ringing live on air.

“Sorry, it’s a rain delay,” Jeter laughed. “I’ve got a parent-teacher conference I’m gonna miss. Sorry, guys.”

Because of the bad weather in Detroit, the 4:08 p.m. ET first pitch was pushed back, giving Fox Sports extra time to fill with their studio crew, Jeter, Kevin Burkhardt, Alex Rodriguez, and David Ortiz. And there, ever the jokester, Ortiz tried to convince Jeter to answer the call on air.

“Take the call, man. Kid’s first… We got you dawg.” Ortiz tried to cool things off just when Jeter was in an uncomfortable situation.

But in classic Jeter fashion, who’s always private about his personal life, politely declined and got right back to the baseball talk.

Feels like a classic case of work-life balance just travelled from a corporate boardroom to the FOX Sports studio!

Now, if you remember, Jeter was criticized back in July for missing the Yankees’ Old-Timers’ Day due to his daughter’s birthday. But that’s what defines Jeter. Expectedly, he didn’t bother to think about the on-air antics when his phone rang for personal purposes.

Ortiz and Jeter’s foe-turned-friends story continues to evolve

“And I know these guys forever, so we used to hate each other, but now we’re family.” This statement by Ortiz about Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez defines the evolution of their relationship over the recent years.

The 2003–2004 seasons marked the height of the Jeter–Ortiz rivalry, when their clutch hits practically defined the ALCS. Well, who could forget Ortiz’s walk-off magic in Games 4 and 5?

But after both teams had their share of championship glory, things cooled off.

Following 2009, the fierce competition gave way to mutual respect. And by the time Jeter embarked on his farewell tour in 2014, their bond was clear for everyone to see. In fact, the Red Sox honored him at Fenway Park in a heartfelt ceremony before his final regular-season game, marking a major milestone in what had once been a heated rivalry.

That respect has only grown stronger in the broadcast booth, where Jeter and Ortiz’s chemistry has turned into one of baseball’s most entertaining on-air friendships. But that doesn’t mean they always agree on everything!

On Saturday’s MLB on FOX Pregame show, both legends revealed their 2025 World Series picks. Jeter, of course, stood by his Yankees, while Ortiz, with his Red Sox out of the picture, threw his support behind the Dodgers. So, unless Ortiz ever finds himself cheering for the Yankees, that might be the one milestone this friendship would never reach!