David “Big Papi” Ortiz is no stranger to tense situations where only grizzled veterans can succeed, and he proposed a radical solution to Derek Jeter during a recent FOX broadcast. Papi suggested the only way to save the New York Yankees from elimination is if their greatest former players return from retirement to help the team.
“The only chance the Yankees have is if you, Mo, Andy and A-Rod come back and play,” Big Papi joked to Jeter, referencing Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte as the only way to avoid elimination by the Blue Jays in Game 3 at Yankee Stadium.
Ortiz did not stop there, creating a legendary “Yankees crew” capable of beating Toronto in the win-or-go-home Game 3. His ultimate fantasy lineup, which he said could save the day, included Babe Ruth, Don Mattingly, Yogi Berra, and Lou Gehrig.
Jeter warned them before losing Game 2
Before Game 2 against the Blue Jays, Derek Jeter tried to send a message to the Yankees, calling for urgency and unity across the roster. “We talk about who needs to step up for the Yankees, all the eyes go to Judge,” Jeter said on FOX. “He’s gonna strike out with the bases loaded again — that’s baseball. But who needs to step up?”
The Yankees legend didn’t single out one player but instead emphasized collective responsibility. “Grisham. Judge. Bellinger. Rice. Stanton. Chisholm. McKinney. And Wells,” he listed, naming nearly the entire lineup. “You cannot sit here and rely on just one individual to win a playoff series… you need contributions from everyone.”
Jeter’s words carried the weight of experience, urging the team to execute the fundamentals that define championship baseball. “You need to get guys on, move them over, have productive outs,” he said. “You have bases loaded and don’t score — it’s not the first time that’s happened. Productive outs and contributions from everyone in that lineup.”
