With the Yankees commemorating their 2000 championship group and bringing an alumni baseball recreation again for Outdated-Timers’ Day on Saturday, one notable member of that World Collection squad was not at Yankee Stadium.
That might be Derek Jeter, who solely appeared by way of a video message on the jumbotron. It was beforehand reported that the previous captain already had plans to attend his daughter’s birthday celebration, however that didn’t cease rumors from spreading that he skipped Outdated-Timers’ Day over his said need to not play in a recreation ever once more.
Saturday marked the primary Outdated-Timers’ Day alumni recreation since 2019. Nevertheless, the individual in control of organizing Outdated-Timers’ Day mentioned the return of the exhibition had nothing to do with Jeter’s absence.
In fact, it could be shocking to listen to anybody within the group publicly blame one of many franchise’s most iconic gamers for the hiatus.
Tymon and her division are in control of planning Outdated-Timers’ Day. That features selecting the visitor listing and date, sending out invitations, and selecting a theme, resembling Saturday’s celebration of the 2000 squad. As soon as Outdated-Timers RSVP, Tymon’s group has to determine who’s keen to play and who is just not. Her group additionally has to coordinate journey, uniform sizes and getting waivers signed.
In keeping with Tymon, the Yankees can’t plan every Outdated-Timers’ Day prior to six months upfront. The group has to attend not just for the common season schedule to be introduced, but in addition the sport instances.
As soon as they’ve that info and a date, they ship out save-the-date reminders.
Tymon additionally mentioned that pandemic-era restrictions made it not possible or tough to play a recreation from 2020-2023. The Yankees didn’t host an alumni recreation final 12 months both with Jeter in attendance as a first-time Outdated-Timer, however Tymon famous different invitees have been coming off surgical procedures and that it could have been tough to area two groups.
An organizational supply confirmed that, including that it was not “cut and dry” that Jeter’s unwillingness to take part in a recreation prevented one from occurring. They likened the whispers to a foul recreation of phone.
“The interesting thing is, and this is my perspective, these men have given their whole lives to the Yankee organization,” Tymon mentioned. “They’re retired. They’re catching up with their family, their friends. They have weddings, anniversaries, birthday parties. Just because we pick a date, it doesn’t mean we’re not going to have conflicts with people who can’t come. And then we have people who come, for example, like last year, who had knee replacements, hip replacements.”
Tymon additionally mentioned that there was a “terrible amount of speculation” that the Outdated-Timers would play softball this 12 months, however that “was never the case.”
“We were very happy to announce that the [baseball] game was back,” she continued. “And as you can see, people that were accused of not wanting to play last year are in uniform, taking BP and wanting to play.”
Nonetheless, don’t count on Jeter to be a kind of folks sooner or later.
Whereas the 2000 World Collection MVP’s video on Saturday mentioned that he hopes to see followers “soon,” Jeter made it clear final 12 months that he’s not eager about taking part in baseball nowadays.
“You’re looking at me?” Jeter replied when a reporter requested why there had not been an alumni recreation in years. “You’re giving me way too much power here, man.”
Jeter, the Yankees’ all-time hits chief, added that followers wouldn’t see him bat once more.
“I would be afraid I would hurt myself,” the ex-shortstop defined. “But that’s not saying the reason there’s no game is because I’m not playing. I don’t make those decisions, contrary to your belief.”
Jeter’s taking part in days seem over, however just a few of his former teammates have been comfortable to have the alumni recreation again on Saturday.
“It’s something that makes our Old-Timers’ Day unique,” Aaron Boone mentioned. “Seeing these guys out there, seeing your heroes that are well past their prime going out and still flashing a little bit, that makes for a cool thing.”
Andy Pettitte, in the meantime, mentioned it was “great” to have the sport again earlier than throwing a handful of pitches within the not-so-serious contest.
“To me, this is better than an interview or whatever,” Pettitte mentioned, referring to the on-field Q&A panels that had changed the sport in recent times. “Debbie’s like, ‘Hey, if we play a game, would you play?’ I’m like, ‘Sure, whatever you want me to do.’ It’s been fun. It’s always good. It’s always great to see old teammates.”
Considered one of Jeter’s closest mates, nevertheless, appeared extra aligned with No. 2.
“You know what? I’m more, ‘We can’t play anymore,’” mentioned Jorge Posada, who caught on Saturday. “We’re here trying to look somewhat good.”
However Posada additionally is aware of the purpose of the sport isn’t for gamers to relive their glory days.
“It’s for the fans,” he famous, “and the fans deserve to see us again.”
Initially Revealed: August 9, 2025 at 2:53 PM EDT
