Rodriguez, never one to shy away from strong opinions, labeled the 2025 Yankees “one of the worst constructions of a roster I’ve ever seen,” despite the team’s 94-win season and postseason appearance.

Jeter, meanwhile, questioned manager Aaron Boone‘s autonomy, suggesting that much of the in-game strategy comes from above. “I’m pretty sure Aaron’s not the one that’s calling every move that they make throughout the game,” Jeter said on air.

Those remarks did not go unnoticed. Cashman appeared on WFAN, the Yankees’ flagship radio station, to respond to the criticism and defend both Boone and the organization’s approach.

The longtime GM revealed he had reached out to Jeter personally, saying, “Clearly, they don’t know. I know DJ said that, I don’t know what he meant by it, he did say he doesn’t have inside knowledge when he said it, but he did say it, for whatever reason. And I think that’s the bugaboo that people get to throw out there when they got nothing else to throw.”

Cashman pushes back on “analytics” label

Cashman also took aim at the widespread perception that the Yankees are overly reliant on analytics, a narrative that has followed the organization since Boone replaced Joe Girardi in 2018. “Analytics, analytics, analytics — none of that is accurate,” he said, emphasizing that the front office uses data as one tool among many, not as a replacement for traditional baseball judgment.

Jeter and A-Rod: Old ties, new friction

The exchange adds another chapter to Cashman’s complex history with both players. Jeter, who retired in 2014 and later served as Miami Marlins president, has remained loosely connected to the Yankees but occasionally critical from afar. Rodriguez, whom Cashman re-signed to a $275 million extension in 2008, had his later years overshadowed by performance-enhancing drug scandals and off-field controversies that strained his relationship with the franchise.

Now, both Jeter and A-Rod sit on national television dissecting the organization they once led to glory. Their recent critiques highlight a broader debate about the Yankees’ direction, leadership, and reliance on front-office influence — a conversation that’s unlikely to quiet down anytime soon.

“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.”

Unlike Jeter and Rodriguez, who were blunt in demanding more accountability from the organization, Boone took a more diplomatic tone, emphasizing that the team is working hard to clean things up.

“I would disagree a little bit with (Rodriguez’s) accountability factor,” Boone told Chris Kirshner of The Athletic. “…but the reality is we’re focused every day on being the best we can be, and that’s how we have to do it. I understand when it doesn’t happen and we don’t have the record I think we should have, or certainly people think we should have, that comes with the territory. It’s on us to change that, though.”

Boone accepts the criticism

Boone acknowledged that critiques—especially from names like Jeter and Rodriguez—come with the territory, particularly when the team makes costly mistakes. “When we lose games, if it’s in and around a mistake, that criticism is fair game. At the end of the day, we have the pieces to be a really good team,” he said, recognizing that scrutiny is simply part of the job.

Yankees determined to respond

With the Yankees facing a difficult stretch, Boone made it clear the team is committed to turning things around. He emphasized the need for consistency and took personal responsibility for leading that change.

“The reality is, I think we should be better than what our record is, and that starts with me,” Boone said. “We got to own that. The only way we can change that thought is by playing a more consistent brand of baseball and (winning) baseball games. That’s the only way to do it. All I know is we’re going to continue to work our tails off to prepare every day to be the best we can be.”

He added: “I want to acknowledge that we have higher expectations than what we’ve done so far, and I think we’re capable of more than we’ve done. I want to make sure we own that. There’s reasons for every single mistake. There’s not necessarily a great answer for every single mistake.”

Jeter’s words were sharp: “They make way too many mistakes… you can’t get away making that number of mistakes against great teams.” While he didn’t single anyone out by name, the message felt like a call for accountability — possibly even for someone to be benched or replaced.

He wasn’t alone. Alex Rodriguez also recently criticized Jazz Chisholm for a questionable decision at first base. As the errors pile up, so does the public pressure — and this time, it’s coming from former stars who know the organization inside out.

Jeter says the Yankees must clean it up now

For Jeter, playing for the Yankees means holding a higher standard — something he feels this team hasn’t lived up to. His message was clear: clean up the mistakes or face the consequences.

“They make way too many mistakes,” Jeter said. “They had a baserunning mistake today… You have to clean it up. There’s no excuses. You have to play better. If you don’t play better, you’re not going to go very far.”

Troubling signs for the Yankees

With the postseason approaching fast, the Yankees are sending all the wrong signals. Early August losses and continued sloppy play don’t inspire much confidence in their Wild Card chances — even though the window is still open.

At 60-51, the Yankees currently hold the second Wild Card spot, just behind the Red Sox (also 60-51). But after the series with the Marlins, they’ll hit the road to face the Rangers — and things won’t get any easier from there.

Amid the memes and jokes about the new grooming rule, Jeter took the opportunity to post a photo on his personal Instagram, showing himself in a Yankees uniform with a clearly defined beard. It’s worth noting that during his time as an active player, Jeter always maintained a clean-shaven look.

It remains to be seen which players will grow beards, but last season, all starters had clean faces, especially players like Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole, who visibly adhered to the rule of prohibition dating back to the 1970s.

In response to this change, Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner addressed the media, explaining his decision. “I did make the decision that the policy, that was in place, was outdated.” He added “And given how important it is to that generation, and given that it is the norm in this world today, that it was somewhat unreasonable, so I made the change.”

Yankees’ players already know about it

Steinbrenner emphasized that the players were informed about the new policy during a team meeting on Friday. “I think they understand what my thought process was as well,” Steinbrenner said. “There will be parameters to this, and they know that just as we have parameters to our other policies and guidelines.”

A Tough History Comes to an End

It’s noteworthy that the beard prohibition among Yankees players was established in 1976 by George Steinbrenner as a measure of discipline, something he learned during his time at military academy. Numerous well-known players, including Johnny Damon, were affected by this rule, forcing them to cut their hair and shave their beards.

Despite losing Soto, the Yankees have strengthened their roster with high-profile additions, including stars like Max Fried, Cody Bellinger, and Paul Goldschmidt. Jeter believes this blend of new talent and experience could be the key to success. “And they made it to the World Series last year,” Jeter said, per Sportscasting. “Obviously, they fell a little bit short. But now they’re retooling and getting ready for this season.”

“They did a good job,” Derek Jeter added. “You always want to try to improve your team. I’m sure if you ask anyone in the organization, they believe they’ve improved as a whole. The great thing about playing for the Yankees is that almost every season, you have a chance to make the postseason.”

The Yankees’ challenge: Beating the competition and finding the winning formula

The 2024 season showcased the New York Yankees‘ offensive firepower, with standout performances from Aaron Judge and Juan Soto. However, Soto’s departure presents a challenge the team must overcome. Bellinger and Goldschmidt now carry the responsibility of helping replace that production.

Jeter, who was part of the last Yankees team to win a championship, knows that success hinges on collective effort and peaking at the right time. “You gotta find a way to win three more games,” Jeter emphasized. “That’s what you need to do. I always say the best teams make it, and the hottest team wins. You have to get hot at the right time.”

What’s next for the Yankees?

The road to the World Series won’t be easy. In the American League, the Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox, with their recent reinforcements, pose serious competition. Meanwhile, in the National League, the Los Angeles Dodgers—having added Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki—are emerging as one of the biggest title contenders.

Jeter remains cautious about making championship predictions. However, with key acquisitions and the leadership of figures like Aaron Judge, there is renewed optimism in the Yankees’ camp. Still, the reality is clear: the competition will be fierce, and the road to a title won’t come easy.

Rodriguez, with his deep postseason experience, urged the Phillies not to dwell on the Game 1 loss but to focus on what went wrong, especially with secondary pitches. “As you watch the tape, fellows, every big home run, every big hit was from a secondary pitch,” Rodriguez noted, referring to how the Mets capitalized on off-speed pitches to mount their eighth-inning rally.

For the Phillies, who may have felt the game was within their grasp for the majority of the night, Rodriguez emphasized the importance of speeding up the Mets’ rhythm and not allowing them to settle into their hitting zones. He also gave a message of reassurance to the Phillies, reminding them of their pitching depth: “The Phillies are in great shape, they’re a little rusty in Game 1, there’s no question, but all they gotta do is win Game 2.” With Aaron Nola lined up for Game 3 in NY and Zack Wheeler available for a potential Game 5 at home, Rodriguez stressed that there’s no need for panic. His advice? “Don’t chill, win the ball game.”

Derek Jeter’s Advice for the Mets

On the other hand, Derek Jeter, ever the strategist, warned the Mets not to get too comfortable with their dramatic late-inning heroics. “Everyone talked about the Mets’ eighth-inning magic,” Jeter said, referencing the team’s uncanny ability to rally in the closing stages of games. “I made the mistake of not believing they could continue against this Phillies bullpen, great job by them, but it’s a recipe for disaster if you think you can continue scoring in the eighth or ninth inning every game and come back and win.”

Jeter’s advice was simple: score early. The former Yankees emphasized that relying on late-game surges isn’t sustainable in a series like this. He expects the Mets to come out aggressively in Game 2, trying to secure an early lead and avoid another nail-biting comeback attempt. Jeter’s underlying message? Winning through grit is commendable, but leaning too heavily on that could eventually catch up to them.

Big Papi’s Take on the Mets’ Approach

David Ortiz, known for his larger-than-life presence both on and off the field, added his voice to the mix. His message was a bit different—more of a rallying cry for the Mets to seize the momentum they’ve gained. “Wheeler was nasty during Game 1,” Ortiz admitted, recognizing the challenge the Mets faced in overcoming the Phillies’ ace. “If I wore a Mets uniform today, I’d be extremely happy and say my mojo be sky high.”

Ortiz, however, didn’t shy away from offering tactical advice. He encouraged the Mets to attack aggressively in Game 2, knowing that they’ve already faced the toughest pitcher the Phillies have. “We didn’t execute really well against Wheeler, but we won the game, and there’s no two Wheelers in the rotation,” Ortiz said, urging the Mets to capitalize on this opportunity before heading back to New York. His final thought? “Go and attack with everything you have, so we can go home to the promised land.”

Despite being focused on the Monday Night Football game against the New Orleans Saints, Mahomes took some time during a press conference to talk about the Royals’ series against the Yankees, not forgetting the historic rivalry between the two teams and leaving a strong message for Jeter, a former player and fan of the New York team the quarterback knows well.

“I’m excited, this is awesome for the city. I’ve heard all the stories about how great the atmosphere was the last time they were in the playoffs and they’re going up against the Yankees, a great baseball team,” Mahomes said of the divisional series that will put the spotlight on the Royals, who went from 106 losses last season to making the playoffs this campaign.

Mahomes’ strong warning to Jeter

“I’ll let him come and see me because if we have a chance of winning, I’ll get to talk trash. He’s a big Yankees fan, but I think if his team loses this series, he might have to move cities. So let’s see if we can do that for him,” Mahomes warned Derek Jeter ahead of the 2024 American League Division Series.

The context of the phrase is that baseball Hall of Famer Jeter has a good relationship with Mahomes and will take advantage of the trip to Missouri to see him at Kauffman Stadium when the 29-year-old quarterback presents with the Chiefs in the 2024 NFL season.

High expectations for Kansas City Royals in the playoffs

As Mahomes said, Kansas City is living a moment of joy as the Royals return to the play-offs. Matt Quatraro’s side advanced to the Divisional Series with a 2-0 win over the Baltimore Orioles in the Wild Card Series, and now will face an intense showdown against the Yankees, starting with the first game on Saturday night.

The Royals broke a long streak of eight seasons without reaching the playoffs. In three of those campaigns, they even had records of more than 100 losses, so the atmosphere is different now in Kansas City.

Following the success of other projects such as Tom Brady’s Man in The Arena, More Than An Athlete with Michael Strahan, Our Time Baylor Basketball and more, the documentary will follow the story of Jeter’s life and career.

Viewers will get to see interviews with Jeter’s friends and family and colleagues, while meeting a new side of the five-time World Series champion and one of the most popular athletes. If you don’t want to miss any of the episodes, check out here how to watch them online and the full schedule.

How to watch or stream Derek Jeter’s documentary series ‘The Captain’

According to Wilkins, the series “gives insight into a hall of fame baseball career, but more importantly, we reveal a person who sits at multiple intersections of American culture. The Captain is a story about race, media, celebrity culture, and the insatiable drive to be the best version of yourself,” explained the director per Billboard.

You can watch all the episodeswhen they air onESPN and live stream them on ESPN+, which you can get for $6.99 a month by itself and $13.99 a month to bundle Hulu and Disney+. However, another option to stream it is fuboTV, SlingTV, DirecTV Stream and Vidgo.

If you didn’t catch the premiere, you can stream it now. Episode 2 will air on July 21 at 9 PM ET. According to the episode description by ESPN, it will show how Jeter became the leader of “Yankees as he captures a title in his first season as a pro,” while navigating his new-found fame.

Derek Jeter’s The Captain: Full schedule

First episode: Monday, July 18, 10 p.m. ET
Second episode: Thursday, July 21, 9 p.m. ET
Third episode: Thursday, July 28, 9 p.m. ET
Fourth episode: Thursday, July 28, 10 p.m. ET
Fifth episode: Thursday, August 4, 9 p.m. ET
Sixth episode: Thursday, August 4, 10 p.m. ET
Seventh episode (finale): Thursday, August 11, 10 p.m. ET

Sportico recently listed the 25 highest earning athletes of all time and took into account, what the athlete earned during their career, inflation, plus all the endorsements the athlete in question has had and has until this day.

Below are the 25 highest earning athletes, the order may shock you but there is no question about the top 10, these athletes have earned their fortune and will continue to make money off of their name value alone.

25. Derek Jeter – $555Million

The 5-time World Series champion with the New York Yankees was everywhere in the late 90’s, the face of the Yankees and one of the top players in all of the MLB, Jeter has amassed a net worth of $555 million in image, sponsorship, and contract deals.

24. Peyton Manning – $570Million

NFL Quarterback Peyton Manning was a fan darling of the NFL in the 2000’s. Manning won two Super Bowls and was a 5-time NFL MVP. During his career Manning had numerous sponsorship deals and comes in at $570 million in total earnings.

23. Oscar de la Hoya – $580Million

The face of Boxing in a post Mike Tyson world, Oscar de la Hoya fought all comers as a 6-weight class champion. de la Hoya endorsed products, sang, and was on the cover of video games, in total the Golden Boy earned an estimated $580 million during his great career and beyond.

22. Jeff Gordon – $595Million

NASCAR is pretty big and the sponsorships that come with it. Jeff Gordon was one of the best drivers of his generation and was the face of NASCAR for years. Gordon earned just under $600 million during his run.

21. Neymar – $615Million

The PSG forward and national hero Neymar is still amassing what will be a huge fortune and what can be said, Neymar is the face of Puma and other products, he has earned a total of $615 million and will be much higher than that if he wins the 2022 World Cup for Brazil.

20. Lewis Hamilton – $620Million

Lewis Hamilton is a great F1 racer and has worked with various brands and foundations throughout his career. Hamilton has earned an estimated $620 million to go along with all his racing titles.

19. Kevin Durant – $625Million

One of the NBA’s elite players Kevin Durant has won 2 NBA titles, his endorsement deals are with Nike, Sprint, Gatorade, Panini, General Electric, and 2K Sports. In total the Brooklyn Nets star has earned $625 million.

18. Manny Pacquiao – $630Million

One of the best boxers of all time Manny Pacquiao was a highlight reel fighter and caught the attention of the World over. Pacquiao has endorsed many products and brands. Now in politics how he balances his former boxer image with policy will most likely hit his earnings.

17. Alex Rodríguez – $650Million

Alex Rodríguez was another face of the MLB, he may have not been liked by many Yankees fans, Alex Rodríguez was no joke on the baseball diamond. Off the field he knew how to get out there and now has his own company and has invested in various companies and almost bought the Mets!

16. Mike Tyson – $775Million

Mike Tyson made money no question, in his prime he may have been the most mesmerizing and feared athlete in the world. Tyson endorsed many products, but his poor quality of life outside the ring caused him to lose much of his fortune. Tyson now is rebuilding his empire and his public image but still Tyson has earned $775 million dollars over his life.

15. Greg Norman – $815Million

Retired golfer Greg Norman has earned well over $800 million in his career and is the CEO of his own company that is present in the apparel, interior design, real estate, wine production, private equity and golf course design fields.

14. Shaquille O’Neal -$870Million

Shaquille O’Neal dabbled in movies, endorsed products, and is on the air as an analyst, so Shaq keeps active and continues to build on that fortune when he was a player.

13. Kobe Bryant – $930 Million

Kobe was one of the most well-loved athletes in the world, a poster boy for the NBA and various brands, Kobe also embarked on his own ventures. Unfortunately, his life was cut short in a tragic helicopter accident which also took the life of his daughter.

12. David Beckham – $1.05 Billion

David Beckham has built an empire on his image, the Inter Miami owner, endorses products, his own clothing line, nothing Beckham does won’t see a better financial outcome for the former England and Manchester United superstar.

11. Phil Mickelson – $1.08 Billion

Golfer Phil Mickelson is one of the best golfers of his generation and that has helped elevate his earnings to over 1 billion dollars. Mickelson won three Masters along with many other competitions.

10. Roger Federer – $1.12 Billion

Roger Federer is one of the best Tennis players of all time, and he has earned a fortune with all his endorsement deals and prize money. Federer is a living legend and will only add to his value over time.

9. Michael Schumacher – $1.13 Billion

The great F1 pilot Michael Schumacher made a fortune with his endorsement deals, which included a watch, and various other brands. In 2017, Forbes stated Schumacher was the athlete with the fifth highest career earnings of all-time.

8. Lionel Messi – $1.14 Billion

The best soccer player of his generation and maybe of all time, Lionel Messi is the soccer player with the second most earnings in his career. Messi is practically everywhere, and you’d be hard pressed to find a brand not associated with the Argentine.

7. LeBron James – $1.17 Billion

LeBron James is the most famous face of the NBA today, as James has millions of fans, and many endorsements to go along with his philanthropy work. He is also a part owner of English soccer team Liverpool.

6. Floyd Mayweather – $1.2 Billion

Pretty boy Floyd Mayweather may be the best pound for pound boxer of all time, undefeated and despite his high profile and his wicked tongue has millions in endorsements and earnings throughout his career.

5. Cristiano Ronaldo – $1.4 Billion

The highest earning soccer player at the moment is Cristiano Ronaldo, the Manchester United player has done an exceptional job of working on his image and that has led to many endorsement deals.

4. Jack Nicklaus – $1.38 Billion

Legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus has made so much in earnings as well as working on golf course designs and his own line of golf balls.

3. Arnold Palmer – $1.5 Billion

Arnold Palmer was one of the greatest golfers of all time and like Nicklaus had enjoyed a lot through endorsements and lending his name to various products.

2. Tiger Woods – $2.1 Billion

Golfer Tiger Woods continues to rake in the big bucks, even despite his personal problems a few years back. Woods is considered by many the best golfer of all time and his name value has never been better.

1.Michael Jordan – $2.62 Billion

Everyone still wants to be like Mike, one of the most mesmerizing athletes of all time Michael Jordan dazzled the world on a basketball court and made a fortune off of it. Air Jordan sneakers, his own company, the countless endorsements, and even making a movie. Jordan has done it all and his name still has much value.

Jeter always played with a combination of poise and elegance you don’t always find in the diamond. He was a leader on and off the field, and his career was so legendary, that he even ended it with a walk-off hit.

And now, in the wake of his Hall of Fame enshrinement and ten years after his legendary 3,000th hit, current and former teammates opened up on that movie-like moment vs. the Tampa Bay Rays.

Teammates And Rivals Recall Derek Jeter’s Iconic 3,000th Hit

(Transcript via the New York Post)

Alex Rodríguez:

“My perspective is a little different because I knew Derek when he was 16. We met at the University of Miami-Michigan [baseball] game. So to see the entire arc, it’s really appreciating it at a level that I think most can’t appreciate it.

When I saw that home run, it’s so classic: The home run at home. The big fan [of Jeter] catches it. It was so symbolic for so many reasons. Not just the championships, but Dr. Jeter and Mrs. Jeter, the way they raised him. It was a special moment, more so than just the day. The respect [Jeter had], revered in the clubhouse and everyone in the organization. Great moment. I enjoyed it.”

Brett Gardner:

“It’s one of those moments, you kind of know it’s going to happen and you don’t really know what it’s going to be like, what that moment or that experience is going to be like. [I felt] excitement for him. And knowing how much work goes into him being able to have the career that he had, putting up the numbers that he put up and obviously there were only a select few that have played this game that have accomplished that, 3,000.

Everybody on the team, I just remember being excited for Jete. And I also think it’s one of those things, I’ve never necessarily approached a milestone like that, but I’ve got to think it must be nice to get it out of the way and then move forward. What a special moment. I’ve had a lot of those that I’ve gotten to witness and be a part of over the last 13, 14 years and that definitely is right up there near the top.”

Casey Kotchman:

“At first base, I’m thinking, ‘If he hits a single or something, I’ll go ahead and shake his hand, say congrats and get out of the way, let him do his thing with his teammates’. He hits a ball in the seats. I thought, ‘All right, I’ll tip my cap, salute him.’ By the time he hits the ball and he’s taking the turn, you’ve got three seconds, four seconds. That was pretty cool. I went ahead and tipped my cap.

It’s pretty cool. He’s had a whole list of [highlights]. It doesn’t shock anybody that’s how that one went.”

David Price:

The Rays pitcher served up Jeter’s third-inning homer to left field and, knowing it was gone, knelt quickly on the mound before springing up, a picture of frustration and energy.

“It was the only time in my life that I have ever done that. I can still see it. I can still my reaction. I can see [Rays catcher John] Jaso behind home plate. I can still see it very vividly.”

“The [second] game of our series got rained out. That was Jeremy Hellickson’s day. He was supposed to pitch, I’m pretty sure. Then I remember [Rays pitching coach Jim] Hickey coming in and he was like, ‘Hey, you’re still pitching tomorrow,’ and Hellickson was next to me and he was like, ‘Yes!’ I was like, oh my gosh. I just know what’s going to happen.

(…) He was one of my favorite players growing up. At the time, if any player in baseball was going to hit their 3,000th hit and do it off of me, I would’ve wanted it to be Derek Jeter.”

Jeter will always be one of the most respected and beloved characters not only around Major League Baseball but in all major sports. Finally, he’ll stay forever where he belongs since day one: in the Hall of Fame.

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