The late 1990s were an iconic era in Bronx baseball. One of the main highlights of the show was Derek Jeter, a New York Yankees rookie who tasted early success, getting addicted to it. It was something of a sore spot for frenemy Alex Rodriguez, whose infamous Esquire comments never quite faded from the spotlight. Today, the pre-2000s age is the only era that Captain Clutch apparently wants to remember from his time in New York.

Jeter spent the entirety of his twenty-season career in the Bronx. So despite being a kid from Michigan, he essentially grew up in front of one of the toughest baseball crowds. And while they cheered him on as captain, Jeter’s previous victories overshadowed not just his first and only Fall Classic win wearing that title. But some of his teammates as well.

Derek Jeter Shuns Alex Rodriguez Once Again

From 1996 to 2000, the Pinstripers stood up to their legacy like never before. The New York Yankees were at the top of the world. Constant victories in the Bronx brought in a compelling new period of baseball. Derek Jeter was an essential part of it, making up the Yankees’ Core Four. Then in 2003, a much-touted player joined them.

Alex Rodriguez had better personal stats than Derek Jeter, but the latter tasted more team success. A-Rod’s comments questioning his so-called friend’s leadership hurt him deeply. He has apparently not been forgiven even today. Ahead of being honored at Old Timers’ Day at Yankee Stadium, the retired captain spoke about the best team he had ever played with.

“I’m biased, you know I’ve said it before – I’d put that team up against any team that’s ever played the game. You can’t compare eras, it’s impossible, any sport you can’t do it…We went out and won 125 games, and it was every single day, we wanted to beat you,” Jeter tells YES Network.

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“You know we basically won the division in May, just kept at it. It’s one of those rare teams – the best team I’ve obviously been on – we got to stay together a few more years after that. But ’98 was a special one.” Admittedly, the whole point of the celebration is to honor the 1998 team’s 25 years of victory. But Jeter forges on, disregarding any wins that came after, and any teammates that helped achieve it.

What Inspired the 1998 Yankees to Ruthlessly Pursue Winning?

The club had finally won the Fall Classic in 1996 for the first time since 1978. It was a huge moment. The next year, the Yankees suffered a brutal defeat at the hands of the Cleveland Indians in the ALDS. Determined to take another victory in 1998, the club forged on relentlessly. The combination of Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, Andy Pettite, and Derek Jeter was addictive. And they had no intentions of stopping.

READ MORE – Before Embarking on Magical 1998 Season, Derek Jeter Suffered a Horrific Scare Along With His New York Yankees Teammates

The ex-shortstop believes the 1997 loss fueled that particular match-up of individuals to an unending hunger for victory. It was truly a spectacular season, even though Jeter grabbed three more World Series victories in his career. Unfortunately, the one from 2009, the one that sometimes seems accidental and was his only win as captain, has been sidelined. As has Alex Rodriguez.

WATCH THIS STORY – Unveiling the Brilliance: How a Scout Discovered Derek Jeter’s Greatness Long Before His Yankees Captaincy