Derek Jeter’s method of breaking a slump during his playing days was worth its weight in gold.
During Fox’s coverage ahead of Game 6 of the World Series on Friday night, the Yankees icon reluctantly recalled his infamous golden string story before the broadcast.
Fellow commentator Kevin Burkhardt slyly asked Jeter what he did to get out of his slump, prompting the Hall of Famer to retell the story.
“You’ve had a few setbacks in your career, what have you done?” Burkhardt asked, to which Jeter initially responded with a laugh.
Jeter then shared the story of how wearing former teammate Jason Giambi’s gold thong immediately helped him get out of a bad situation at the plate during the 2004 MLB season.
“I didn’t know Jason that well, but every day I walked through the locker room and I saw this gold thong hanging from his locker,” Jeter said. “I don’t want to ask him what the gold thong is there for… He said every time you collapse, you wear the gold thong and you’re guaranteed to get spanked.”
Jeter then talked about how, after looking at the thong after every game during an 0-for-32 stretch in April of that season, he finally gave in and wore it. He made sure to make it clear that he was wearing it over shorts.
“Listen, I had shorts on,” Jeter added. “I put the thong on top.”
The first pitch Jeter saw after donning Giambi’s gold underwear was a home run off 2002 American League Cy Young award winner Barry Zito.
“I’ve never run around the bases that fast in my career,” Jeter said of hitting the home run. “I thought everyone in Yankee Stadium could see that gold thong.”
Jeter’s story was met with laughter from the rest of the crew before Red Sox legend David Ortiz pulled a gold thong of his own from his jacket.
“You’re in a slump right now,” Ortiz said as he tossed the underwear in Jeter’s direction.
#Derek #Jeter #reluctantly #tells #story #Yankees #gold #string #David #Ortiz #surprise