Derek Jeter made his debut on FOX Sports and was given a gift by David Ortiz. It turned out to be every Yankees fan's worst nightmare.
There is no denying the respect that exists between Derek Jeter and David Ortiz, despite them playing their careers on opposing ends.
But the former Boston Red Sox star had a gift for the former New York Yankee as Jeter made his debut on FOX Sports broadcasting. A kind gesture, but to the New York faithful, it was their worst nightmare—a Jeter jersey in Red Sox colors.
Somewhere, Red Sox fans are falling out of their chairs and howling with laughter while the opposing side, Yankees fans, are seething.
Come on, though, wouldn't you expect Big Papi to do anything less?
David Ortiz pranked Derek Jeter by giving him a Boston Red Sox jersey
For those who may be unaware, the rivalry that exists between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees is one of the fiercest in MLB. For years, the Yankees tormented the Red Sox, notably during the 86-year drought that Red Sox fans went through before their big win in 2004.
Derek Jeter was part of that domination, notably in the late 90's when the Yankees won three straight World Series titles. However, the tide turned in 2004 in the ALCS, when New York was three outs away from sweeping the Red Sox and advancing to another World Series.
Ortiz had something to say and delivered the Yankees the worst postseason series defeat in franchise history, at least in terms of its meaning — a 3-0 series lead and losing the series. Boston went on to sweep the St. Louis Cardinals in the Fall Classic, and the Red Sox have since won three more titles (07,13,18) compared to New York's one (09) this century.
It was all in good fun, and Ortiz has too much respect for Jeter to completely cross the line. Unfortunately for him, Yankee fans have a very thin line, and he might have overdone it. Don't tell that to Red Sox fans; they will be giving Big Papi a standing ovation for his deeds, as they did when Ortiz forced Alex Rodriguez to don a Red Sox uniform back in 2018 after A-Rod lost a bet.
Well played Big Papi, well played.
