The friendship and rivalry of the two Yankees legends, Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez, have been in the headlines for more than two decades now. There was a time when they were the best of buddies. And they also got teased by each other’s names. 

A-Rod could not play in the All-Star game 2000 and had the chance to stay in Seattle and relax. Instead, he chose to go to Turner Field in Atlanta, Georgia, to cheer for his buddy.

There was one other reason for A-Rod to make the trip to Atlanta, and it was to thank his fans.

Why did Alex Rodriguez not play in the All-Star game 2000?

A-Rod got voted by the fans to play as a starter in the game, but unfortunately, he could not play because of an injury. In a game before the All-Star, while sliding into second, Alex got a concussion and a leg injury, which then sidelined him from the game.

Then, instead of him, shortstop Derek Jeter got to start in his place. He was second in the lineup after his teammate Bernie Williams. 

“I’ll be cheering him on. I’ve brought my pom-pons, and I’ll cheer for him” Alex said.

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He could have chosen to stay back in Seattle and recover, but instead, he went to thank the fans for voting for him and also to cheer for his buddy.

How is Rodriguez and Jeter’s friendship now?

After having gone through decades of rivalries, the two former baseball players finally seem to be in a good place.

There was a time when Alex made some pretty harsh comments about Jeter, and that was a breaking point in their friendship. Things did not get better when Alex joined the New York Yankees and was not a leader there. 

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But after years of working through stuff, they both have rekindled their friendship. Recently, Jeter came on A-Rod’s KayRod Cast. There they talked about things that were there for years and talked them out.