Home

MLB

Alex Rodriguez Revisits Awe-Inducing Statistic That Put Him Alongside Yankees Legend Who Scared Derek Jeter

Published 09/01/2023, 10:54 AM EDT

Follow Us

via Getty

Though Alex Rodriguez‘s arrival in New York seemed unplanned, it was destined. It is visible in his contribution to the team during his 12-year stay that made him a Yankees legend. And though it’s been years since he wore the Pinstripes, his inspiration on the team continues to guide them. It is all due to his multiple records, including the one, which the Ex Yankees captain Derek Jeter could not achieve but feared to achieve.

The New York Yankees are a team of history. Many star players have contributed to its 27 title exploits over the period. It includes the name of Joe DiMaggio. The champion player was a class on its own, so much so that his records shined decades after his retirement. Only a few players could replicate his success, which includes the name of Alex Rodriguez. He recently revisited one such record that he achieved almost two decades back.

Alex Rodriguez revisits his record from the 2005 season

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

For every batter, hitting home runs is a wish, for which he thrives at plate. Given it is not very easy to do so and takes a lot of effort, which only a few players can produce. Alex Rodriguez was one of them. He shined in his every baseball season and ended up with 696 home runs to his name.

Trending

Get instantly notified of the hottest MLB stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

As it was a continuous effort, he equaled and overshadowed many star players during this run. One such record, which he managed to break, was of legendary Joe DiMaggio. Years later, the Ex Yankees star visited this stat again through an Instagram story. It read, “On this day in 2005, Alex Rodriguez becomes only the second right-handed batter in
Yankees history to hit 40 homers in a season. The New York third baseman joins Joe DiMaggio, who hit 46 homers in 1937, the only time ‘Joltin’ Joe’ reached the mark.”

Rodriguez not only made the record but surpassed DiMaggio with 48 home runs that season. And because of it, he feels elated to be included in the legendary player’s company. But the same is not the case with his teammate Derek Jeter.

Unlike Rodriguez, Derek Jeter feared getting into Joe DiMaggio’s space

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Alex Rodriguez seems happy alongside DiMaggio but the story is different for Jeter. According to the ex-Yankees captain, DiMaggio’s personality was very intimidating. He added that because of it, there was a fear in him regarding DiMaggio.

Jeter explained, “So, I am gonna tell you something. Joe DiMaggio used to come to Yankee Old-Timers Day and… I never spoke to him… Because I was scared to death, you know what I mean, I do not want to bother people…” He also said, “I was afraid to speak to him…”

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Though it looks funny, DiMaggio’s success of nine championships in his 13 years for New York could be the reason behind it. And rightly so, any baseball player is intimidated by such a record. But it seems Rodriguez has made that intimidation a part of his glory, and his latest story is an example. Though what are your thoughts on this story? Do let us know in the comments.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Saurabh Saini

840Articles

One take at a time

Even after having an engineering background, nothing stopped Saurabh Saini from following his passion and writing about sports. With a sound knowledge of American sports, Saurabh specializes in baseball. Before joining EssentiallySports, Saurabh has written around 800 articles spanning MLB, NFL, and NHL.
Show More>

Edited by:

Aishwary Gaonkar