Derek Jeter Was Too Cool to Accept Gift From David Ortiz, and MLB Fans Let Him Have It

The legendary New York Yankees shortstop declined to wear a cowboy hat on set during the all-Texas ALCS.

Derek Jeter is in his first year with Fox Sports, and the Yankees legend plays a relatively serious role on the network’s baseball broadcast team in contrast to David Ortiz and Alex Rodriguez. While the rest of the panel tries to play up the all-Texas ALCS, Jeter has remained stoic throughout the series.

Following the Astros’ Game 5 victory over the Rangers on Friday, Ortiz brought out cowboy hats for the rest of the panel. However, while Rodriguez and Kevin Burkhardt happily put on the hats, Jeter coolly declined.

“New Yorkers don’t wear these,” Jeter said. “New Yorkers don’t do this.”

On social media, fans and pundits zinged Jeter for not playing along with the rest of the crew, arguing that the Hall of Fame shortstop needs to lighten up.

Jeter being too cool for a cowboy hat is disappointing. Bro’s bald. You don’t even have the excuse that it’ll mess up your hair. Just put it on for the vibes. pic.twitter.com/mHOg47x7zO

— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) October 21, 2023

They couldn’t do the SNL sketch of this because it would be exactly the same clip — unless they used a mannequin for Jeter maybe that’s the wrinkle. https://t.co/er9gHQ06Gx

— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) October 21, 2023

Derek Jeter has the charisma of a wet Lays chip https://t.co/tdYGEg82r1

— Fitzy Mo Peña (@FitzyMoPena) October 20, 2023

omg put on the hat you nerd https://t.co/VjEebWFKOU

— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) October 20, 2023

Jeter will never beat the boring allegations no matter what he does to make up for this. https://t.co/LQpmlsEnmT

— Wyatt Ronan (@jwyattronan) October 21, 2023

Credit to the three other guys for getting through Jeter nearly killing the bit. Can’t do that. Rookie stuff https://t.co/02w1oqO3OP

— DJ Bean (@DJ_Bean) October 21, 2023

Derek Jeter really puts a wet blanket on this panel lmao pic.twitter.com/FTecTk8TNq

— Jordan Leandre (@JordanLeandre55) October 20, 2023

However, a few Yankees fans did stand by their former captain for not going along with Ortiz’s suggestion.

Derek Jeter refusing to put on the Cowboy hat: “New Yorkers don’t wear these”

That’s my captain 🫡 https://t.co/q1nrxe1rfv

— ZT (@NY_EvilEmpire) October 20, 2023

Men are so mad that Jeter wouldn’t wear one of the most ridiculous clothing items ever created. He’s all business all the time, that’s why he won so much 🤷🏻‍♀️. He’s there to do his job and go home not play dress up with other grown men. https://t.co/y8cBBhXx07

— Mergz (@Shmergzzz) October 21, 2023

Jeter a true New Yorker. https://t.co/DKaRLFI5vq

— Stephen Adams ⚾️ 🌈 (@StephenPAdams) October 21, 2023

Jeter, Ortiz, Rodriguez and Burkhardt will be part of FS1’s broadcast of ALCS Game 6 on Sunday night in Houston, with first pitch scheduled for shortly after 8 p.m. ET.