Even the Captain’s ship runs into trouble sometimes. Derek Jeter had a remarkable twenty seasons in Major League Baseball, all of which he spent in pinstripes. The former New York Yankees slugger defined an era of baseball in the Bronx, one that is sorely missed by fans today. But it wasn’t always smooth sailing for the player known for his clutch skills.

Jeter was not the home run-type hitter, but his talent at shortstop earned him screaming hordes of fans. Part of the 3000-hit club, winner of five World Series, and an almost unanimous Hall of Fame inductee, the ex-Yankees player is elite. But he faced equally unparalleled pitchers in his career, most of which also went to Cooperstown. Who is his favorite?

Derek Jeter Declares Pedro Martinez His Favorite

The New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox rivalry may exist on the field but it doesn’t stop players from each team from showing the other respect. For Derek Jeter, it was Pedro Martinez. The three-time Cy Young Award winner has been one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball history. Despite his comparatively small stature, the 5′ 11″ Dominican-American player earned a massive number of records.

Trending

“Going to Be a Bloodbath”: Dodgers Fans Storm Twitter After Shohei Ohtani Bobblehead Night Announcement

May 16, 2024 03:00 PM EDT

“Ronel Sweats Profusely”: Astros GM Dana Brown Comes to Blanco’s Defense Despite Refusing to Appeal 10-Game Suspension

May 16, 2024 01:00 PM EDT

Bittersweet Day for Alex Rodriguez; One Investment Pays off Hugely While the Other Is on Brink of Collapse

May 15, 2024 05:00 PM EDT

“Don’t Foresee Them Coming Back”: Houston Astros GM Dana Brown Shuts Door On Two Injured Players’ Imminent Return

May 16, 2024 02:00 PM EDT

Who Is Yankees Skipper Aaron Boone’s Wife? Know More About Laura Cover

January 30, 2024 01:00 PM EST

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

Follow Us

When FOX Sports’ Ben Verlander raised the question of pitchers to Captain Clutch, he answered, “The best pitcher I ever faced was Pedro. Pedro Martinez probably had the best stuff all around. He had the best fastball, best curveball, best slider, best changeup. But I liked facing Pedro.”

The eight-time All-Star incidentally liked matching up with another Pinstriper – Jeter’s Core Four buddy, Jorge Posada. According to Martinez’s Hall of Fame chat with SNY, Posada held a grudge of unknown origin against the pitcher. Provocated by him, the former BoSox player enjoyed striking him out.

Martinez May Be the Best But Roy Halladay Was the Toughest

While Jeter named Pedro Martinez as a pitcher he liked facing, the opposite was true of the late great Roy Halladay, a Toronto Blue Jays legend. A strikeout machine on the mound, the ex-Yankees slugger could never figure out what kind of pitch he would throw next.

‘Couldn’t Figure Him Out’- Derek Jeter Finally Reveals the Toughest Pitcher He Faced in MLB

“It was his sinker, his two-seamer, his cutter. Every time I thought it was going one way, it went the other,” Jeter told Verlander. What’s more, Jeter posted a .234 average and .571 OPS in 104 at-bats against Doc.

Halladay struck out the former captain 24 times in his career, more than any other pitcher. It’s easy to understand why Jeter may not have wanted to come up against the player whenever he could avoid it.

WATCH THIS STORY – Yankees Icon Derek Jeter’s Heartfelt Post-Win Moment With Parents After Historic Fall Classic Victory