The rivalry between two baseball icons remains as intense as ever, even in retirement. At the inaugural Fanatics Fest at New York City’s Javits Center, Derek Jeter and David Ortiz exchanged playful jabs, even joking about the possibility of Ortiz wearing Yankees pinstripes.
During a “Character Counts” discussion moderated by ESPN’s Ryan Clark, Ortiz was asked to reflect on his legendary status in Boston. The exchange underscored the lasting nature of the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry, with Jeter and Ortiz symbolizing the essence of their respective teams. Despite their camaraderie off the field, the competitive spirit that defined their careers still fuels entertaining interactions, much to the delight of the fans in attendance.
As the conversation wrapped up, Jeter jokingly suggested that Ortiz had once secretly wanted to play for the Yankees, drawing boos from the crowd. Jeter claimed that his growing familiarity with Ortiz had uncovered this unexpected revelation. Ortiz, however, was quick to dismiss the idea, teasing Jeter for getting his facts wrong, which sparked laughter from both Jeter and moderator Ryan Clark.
“Before you go, tell them who you wanted to play for,” Jeter told. “See, I’ve gotten to know him over the last couple years.”
This lighthearted exchange underscored the different career trajectories of the two baseball legends. Ortiz spent six years with the Minnesota Twins before finding his true home with the Red Sox in 2003, where he played for 14 seasons. In contrast, Jeter dedicated his entire 20-year career to the Yankees.
Their friendly rivalry, deeply rooted in their team loyalties, continues in their current roles as Fox Sports personalities, where they often engage in playful banter about their on-field battles.
Ortiz rips current Yankees but calls Aaron Judge ‘special’
Ortiz even took a moment to comment on the Yankees’ current struggles, adding a bit of Red Sox flair to the conversation.
Ortiz recalled a conversation he had with Jeter last year, noting his impression that the Yankees were missing the team chemistry they had during Jeter’s playing days. However, he pointed out a marked improvement in the current season, praising the enhanced dynamics within the team. Ortiz specifically credited Juan Soto for his significant impact and importance to the Yankees.
“I remember telling Derek last year… ‘Man, when I watch the Yankees, I don’t see the chemistry with the team that I used to when you guys were there,” he said. “This year, I see a different Yankees team. I see the chemistry. That boy [Juan] Soto, man…I’m telling you.”
The inaugural Fanatics Fest featured a range of high-profile events, including a live recording of “First Take” with Stephen A. Smith and “The Pivot” podcast, which hosted an impressive lineup of guests such as Roger Goodell, Rob Gronkowski, Robert Kraft, and Dana White.
In terms of the current MLB standings, Jeter’s former team, the Yankees, was tied for the lead in the AL East with a 72-50 record. Meanwhile, the Red Sox were trailing in the wild card race, sitting 2½ games back with a 63-57 record, reflecting the ongoing competitive spirit of their storied rivalry.
David Ortiz, despite his Red Sox allegiance, has expressed admiration for the Yankees’ current captain Aaron Judge. The Hall of Famer, speaking at Fanatics Fest on Friday, praised the player’s exceptional abilities and physique, describing him as extraordinary.
“Man, that guy’s a beast,” the Red Sox legend said at Fanatics Fest on Friday. “You’re talking about a guy who has all the tools. And he’s at another level body-wise. He’s just special.”
Aaron Judge’s performance in the 2024 season has caught the attention of baseball legends. The Yankees’ powerhouse is making a strong case for his second MVP title in three years, while also challenging his own American League home run record.
Judge’s 2022 season, which earned him his first MVP award, saw him hit 62 home runs. Remarkably, his current season’s statistics surpass even those impressive numbers. As of Friday, his OPS stood at 1.174, higher than his 2022 figure of 1.111, and his batting average was 22 points above his previous .311.
A significant milestone was reached on Wednesday when Judge hit his 300th career home run. He achieved this feat in just 955 games, setting a new record. The previous record holder, Ralph Kiner, took 1,087 games to reach the same mark, meaning Judge accomplished it in 132 fewer games – nearly a full season less.
Judge currently leads Major League Baseball in several categories: home runs (43), RBIs (110), on-base percentage (.467), slugging percentage (.707), walks (102), and total bases (301). His .333 batting average is second only to Bobby Witt Jr.’s .349 in all of baseball.
This stellar performance marks a dramatic turnaround for Judge. On May 2, his batting average was a mere .197, prompting some Yankee fans to call for his benching. However, since May 3, he has been hitting at an astounding .388 with a 1.352 OPS.
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