Published 11/07/2022, 11:30 AM EST
Derek Jeter was not just a baseball player. Despite being a Major League Baseball player, Jeter became a renowned figure in American sports. Back in the 2004 season, when Jeter used to play for the Pinstripes, he had a memorable meeting with a NASCAR legend.
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When talking about Jeter, the former Yankees captain needs no introduction. The five-time World Series champion achieved the pinnacle while playing for the Pinstripes. Thanks to his dedication towards the game, Jeter received love and admiration from every nook of American sports.
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NASCAR legend and childhood Yankees fan Dale Jarrett was more than happy to meet Derek Jeter
Per Matty Smith of ESPN, back in 2004, the NASCAR legend and 3-time Daytona 500 champ Dale Jarrett was in Manhattan for a NEXTEL party. Apart from Jarrett, several other drivers were also present at the party. And coincidently, the then-New York Yankees superstar Derek Jeter also happened to be in the same town.
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 15: Derek Jeter #2 of the New York Yankees looks on from the dugout prior to the game against the New York Mets on May 15, 2014 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Yankees defeated the Mets 1-0. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
When Jeter came to know about Jarrett being in the city, he requested to have a seat at the NASCAR legend’s table. Little did anyone know that Jarrett would be more excited than the Yankees star to meet him.
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“I just laughed out loud and told them, ‘Absolutely!’” Jarrett said. “I’d have booted half my friends if I had to!”
Notably, Jarrett has been a Yankees fan since he was only five years old. So, the fan inside him saw this as an opportunity.
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Jeter: A New York Yankees unicorn
Derek Jeter and the New York Yankees complemented each other. While being the best shortstop, Jeter helped the Yankees end their 15 years of title drought.
WATCH THIS STORY: From Alex Rodriguez To Derek Jeter: Here Are The Top-5 Richest MLB Players Of All Time
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Notably, when Jeter arrived in the Bronx, the Yankees had not won a championship in the last 15 years. His legacy is so big that the last World Series title the Yankees won also came under Jeter’s leadership.
Given Jeter does not play the game anymore, do you think the Yankees have a player as good as him right now?