The Miami Marlins are set to face off against the New York Yankees. However, do not expect to see a familiar face in the owner’s box looking on.
One can understand that a team owner would want to see his club in action whenever possible, even if that team is the Miami Marlins. With the Marlins set to face off against the New York Yankees, it would have seemingly been a perfect moment for Derek Jeter to be in attendance. With the series taking place in the Bronx, the site of his former glory, it would be an opportunity for Jeter to bask in the adoration of the roaring throng.
Instead, Jeter had decided to forgo the occasion, skipping out on both games at Yankee Stadium. He felt that it would be “an awkward situation” if he were to attend those games, his status in Yankees history pitted against his theoretical rooting interest in the Marlins.
Of course, one can understand Jeter’s dilemma. After all, how often does someone get to watch two teams they helped construct, with the Marlins mediocre roster pitted against the powerful Yankees, and former Miami slugger Giancarlo Stanton? Yes, Starlin Castro returned as a part of that deal, but the return on the reigning NL MVP was decidedly light.
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And yet, by sitting out this brief sojourn to Yankee Stadium, Jeter is missing out on quite the opportunity. He can show his new team his retired number and plaque in Monument Park, expounding upon the classiness of the Yankees while decrying the trashy Home Run Sculpture. He could point to the 27 World Championship banners and countless American League East division pennants, while mocking the Marlins inability to ever win their division and their paltry two championships.
Then again, this is probably a lecture that the Marlins current roster has heard plenty of times before, much like Grandpa telling his the tale of that one time he tracked Sasquatch through the mountains and had dinner with an Elvis alien. Or maybe that’s just my family.
Nonetheless, one can understand Jeter’s moral dilemma. It would be uncouth to cheer on the Yankees, even though each run and subsequent victory would help the Marlins tanking. At the very least, he wants to give the appearance that the Marlins will attempt to contend. Just like the Marlins want to give the impression that they are actually from the British Virgin Islands…
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Derek Jeter is bypassing the Miami Marlins series against the New York Yankees. Instead, he will just root for New York from the comforts of home.