For perhaps the first time in history, Derek Jeter is unwilling to show his face at Yankee Stadium.
But it’s not because the Miami Marlins CEO somehow betrayed the only MLB team he ever played for — as you’ve probably heard, he did quite the opposite during the offseason.
The Marlins are set to visit the Bronx for a brief two-game series with the New York Yankees beginning Monday night. And although Jeter will be in town for the series, he doesn’t plan to attend either game.
So, why would one of the most beloved Yankees of all-time not show up for fans that worshiped him for 20 years?
“I went to a spring training game when we played New York, but it would be an awkward situation for me to actually go to Yankee Stadium,” Jeter said Friday, via ESPN.
“I’m just being honest with you guys, so that’s why I’m not going,”
Fair enough.
The last time Jeter appeared in the “House that Ruth Built” was when his number was retired last May. Returning as co-owner of another franchise probably would be a little weird, even if you think he did the Yankees a solid by trading them Giancarlo Stanton.
And considering the future Hall of Fame shortstop recently admitted he still roots for the Bronx Bombers, it might be best for him to avoid what surely would be an emotionally conflicting series.
