The discussion about who is the greatest baseball player has been going on for a long time and has never stopped. This time it’s Derek Jeter, the famous Yankees captain who has won five World Series rings. Then there is Shohei Ohtani, a two-way player for the Dodgers who has won one World Series. Both have altered their franchise histories, but this time, a comment by the legendary Jeter on Ohtani has ignited a storm.

The talk becomes much more complicated. When players achieve unprecedented feats, it challenges what defines greatness in a baseball player. Jeter has called the Dodgers’ superstar “a unicorn,” and said that watching him play is “unbelievable.” However, his recent comments are very different.

Josh Gitt, a Dodgers fan, posted a comment on social media that set off a fury on the baseball X handle. “I’m sorry, did I just hear Derek Jeter just say that Shohei Ohtani needs to play longer to prove he’s one of the best? Is really that jealous that he’s not in pinstripes?” The tweet struck a chord with baseball enthusiasts, sparking lively debates and comparisons between the two players.

Well, Jeter wasn’t just “Mr. November” for the Yankees. He was the hero, and his numbers back it up! Are you aware that he has the sixth-most 3,465 hits in MLB history? He also had a .321 batting average in World Series games. And that’s not all. He also has a good series of awards. The list includes a 14-time All-Star, a five-time Gold Glove and Silver Slugger, and a winner of the Hank Aaron Award twice. The very reason why he is in Cooperstown.

Meanwhile, Ohtani is making a history book for himself. By 2024, he had already won three MVPs, and his most recent one was the first NL MVP to get all the votes. And that wasn’t his only record that year. By hitting 54 home runs and stealing 59 bases, he became the only player in history to reach both marks in a single season. In his first game in the World Series, he hit .105 (2-for-19), scored two runs over five games that helped the Dodgers win the title.

Now, Jeter’s claim that Ohtani needed “more time” caused a split among fans. Some agreed with the longevity argument, while others thought it was unjust to put Ohtani’s transcendent peak under such scrutiny. This led to a debate.

Fan reactions: X stadium erupts in Derek Jeter‑Shohei Ohtani showdown

Ohtani is almost everyone’s favorite, and when fans saw Jetere’s comments, they became furious. One fan dismissed Ohtani’s impact, claiming he was just a designated hitter. “He’s a DH. Nothing special.” However, that’s not entirely true. He is also a pitcher, and he constantly dominates from both the mound and the plate, with 257 home runs and an ERA of 2.97.

Did Derek Jeter want Ohtani to play until age 42? As one fan said, “Has nothing to do with pinstripes. Jeter played until he was 42 and he wants Shohei to play just as long!” Jeter had a great career with the Yankees, retiring at the age of 40. Now, Ohtani is 30 with two-way skills. Can he play that long? Only time will tell.

Another fan immediately compared Ohtani’s MVP count to Jeter’s. “How many MVPs did Jeter get?” Ohtani, wearing #17, has three MVPs, and he is running as a strong contender for a fourth. And Jeter only won one MVP.

Another fan claimed that Ohtani was already one of the best before he joined the Dodgers. “Ohtani was already the best to put a uniform on before he made a switch to Dodgers.” And it’s a fact. His numbers with the Angels were elite, with a slashline of .304/.412/.654, with 44 homers and 167 Ks.

Lastly, a fan took issue with others who seem not to see Jeter’s subtle point. “You’re honestly an idiot if you don’t understand what Jeter is saying.” It sounds like Jeter isn’t doubting Ohtani’s skill. Instead, Jeter believes that a player needs to not only perform at a high level but also keep doing so for a long time, demonstrating resilience, flexibility, and a lasting impact on the game.

The debate over Derek Jeter’s comments about Shohei Ohtani shows how quickly fans may see things in different ways.