Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom relives Derek Jeter MLB debut memory before losing Cam Schlittler duel

The New York Yankees and Texas Rangers faced off in game two of their series on Tuesday night. Cam Schlittler outdueled Jacob deGrom, leading the Yankees to a 3-2 victory.

Prior to the game, deGrom, who made his major league debut in 2014, recalled his first MLB start, which was also against the Yankees, per a post from the Rangers on X, formerly Twitter.

“My welcome to The Show moment, I’m pitching at Citi Field against the Yankees, and Derek Jeter steps to the box, and it’s like, alright, that’s Derek Jeter. Growing up an infielder or playing the infield even in college and playing shortstop, I walk like, alright,” deGrom started. “And there was one thought that ran through my head because I knew he was retiring that year… Don’t hit him. If you end Derek Jeter’s career, he doesn’t get to play this last year because you’re the dummy who threw and broke his hand or something.”

The Mets’ rookie pitcher did not hit Jeter, as Jeter grounded out to shortstop on the play. He would go on to go 0-4 in that game, but the Yankees still went on to win. Much like Tuesday night, deGrom would be outdueled. He went seven innings in the game, giving up just one run on a double by Alfonso Soriano. Still, Yankees pitchers held the Mets to just three hits in a 1-0 victory for the Yankees.

It was the final time in Jeter’s career that he faced the Mets, retiring at the end of the 2014 season. Meanwhile, deGrom would go on to pitch through the 2022 season with the Mets and has been with the Rangers since.

The Rangers, who are 14-16 on the season, will look to avoid the sweep at the hands of the Yankees on Wednesday afternoon.

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