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Jazz Chisholm made his New York debut on Sunday, hopping right into the most heated rivalry in baseball. The outfielder got his first taste of the Yankees-Red Sox series after being traded from Miami.
With the Marlins, Chisholm sported jersey No. 2. He’ll be unable to do so in the Bronx, however.
Many might remember the most famous No. 2 in Yankees history – Derek Jeter. The shortstop hung up the cleats for good in 2014, and the organization later retired his number in 2017.
No player’s donned the jersey since.
Interestingly enough, Jeter was the CEO of the Marlins for much of Chisholm’s time in Miami. The two formed a strong bond while working together.
Derek Jeter and Jazz Chisholm formed a bond when Jeter traded for him in 2019
In 2020, Chisholm planned to meet idol Kobe Bryant the day he died. He called Jeter crying, telling him to step up as his idol
“From that day on he treated me like a son”pic.twitter.com/M0hqRtX6as
— Talkin’ Yanks (@TalkinYanks) July 28, 2024
Jazz Chisholm had hoped to keep wearing the number of his childhood idol when making the move to Jeter’s former team. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t be allowed.
He received a consolation prize, though!
Jazz Chisholm is wearing No. 13 for the Yankees.
That would be Alex Rodriguez’s old number.
While A-Rod was productive during his time in New York, many still share feelings of disdain as his relationship with the franchise soured late.
Rodriguez played 12 seasons with the team, twice winning the AL MVP and taking home a World Series title in 2009 – the Yankees‘ most recent.
He would later become involved in legal battles with the organization, one of which included his lawsuit against a team doctor.
While he wishes to have his number retired by the Yankees one day, that time has yet to come given that rocky relationship.
“Yeah, of course it bothers me. It’s less about bother, but of course it would be nice to be recognized in one of the coolest places to be in Yankee history, but that’s not my decision.”
-Alex Rodriguez
Joey Gallo previously sported that No. 13, and it’s now being handed down to Chisholm. Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not.
While many have focused in on the A-Rod aspect of the jersey assignment, there may just be a Derek Jeter twist. The shortstop revealed that he’d actually hoped to wear No. 13 with the Yankees, but that the club assigned him No. 2.
“[They] just gave it to me, man. I think it was the smallest jersey. I really do. There was a guy by the name of Mike Gallego that wore No. 2 before me. Mike Gallego was probably what, like 5-6, 5-7? And, um, you know, when I… I played basketball in high school. And you know, in basketball they always make you a little taller, a little heavier. So, I was listed as 6-3, 185 [pounds] when I was drafted. And first thing they did when the Yankees signed me is they measured me, put me on a scale. I was 6-2, 154. Dressed. Dressed! So, when I finally got to New York, man, I probably weighed 175, 180. So, I just think No. 2 was — there’s all these rumors of why they gave me No. 2 — I just think No. 2 was the smallest jersey they had, man.”
-Derek Jeter
In a way, Jazz Chisholm is sporting Jeter’s number after all.