It seems like a single digit appreciated Derek Jeter for the greatness of the Yankees, and the real reason he got that jersey number is shockingly ordinary.
When Derek Jeter had 2 as his jersey number from the New York Yankees, it was one of the last singles numbers available. The rest of the single-digit numbers – except for 6 – were worn by legends like Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and others, already retired by the organization.
If Jeter had his way, He would have number 13. Well advertised, he wanted the number because his dad wore it. Instead, he got 2, which, in retrospect, appears to have pre-set his way with the team to join the rest of the legends who retired from their number one jerseys.
What has not been discussed at length up to this point is why he got the number 2 jersey instead of another number. In fact, a club member offered him a move to 17th at one point, but Jeter chose to stick with the original 2.
The real reason Derek Jeter finished second, as told by Derek Jeter himself
The reason Jeter took second place, at least as he tells it, is so boring compared to the possibility that this is the predetermined path to becoming one of the all-time greats for wearing a single-digit number with striped stripes.
On a recent episode of the Drink Champs podcast, Jeter revealed that his humble stature is the reason he got this number:
“[They] “I think it was the smallest shirt. I really do. There was a guy named Mike Gallego who wore No. 2 before me. Maybe it was Mike Gallego, like 5-6, 5-7?” And, you know, when… I played basketball in high school. You know, in basketball they always make you a little taller and a little heavier. So I was listed at 6-3, 185 [pounds] when I was drafted. And the first thing they did when the Yankees signed me up was they tough me out and put me on a scale. I was 6-2, 154. Wearing! So when I finally got to New York, man, my weight was probably 175 and 180. So I guess number 2 was – there’s all these rumors about why I was given number 2 – I just think number 2 was the smallest shirt they had, man.”
Gallego listed at 5-8, 160 poundsso it tracks.
Ultimately, Alex Rodriguez finished 13th when he joined the Yankees, and since then, Joey Gallo has worn the number. What a different legacy the number would have had if Jeter had gotten it when he originally wanted it.
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