Could Derek Jeter Attend Spring Training?

NJ.com- MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch, a Yankees beat reporter, ran into Hannah Davis earlier this month in Hawaii and chatted briefly about her future husband and former Yanks shortstop, Derek Jeter.

Jeter, Hoch said in his podcast recently, may show up to Yankees spring training this year in Tampa. (Jeter has a house in nearby St. Petersburg.)

“We talked to her real quick about Jeter,” Hoch said. “Hopefully we’ll see Jeter at some point in Spring Training…I think now that year has passed and maybe he’ll drop by Spring Training, for a day or maybe as a guest instructor.”

Not sure how much there is to this because Jeter has said all along that he never wants to be a coach and doesn’t need the money to be an instructor. Last year he did hold a private session with prospects about what it’s like to be a big league player, and made 2 appearances at the stadium for retirement ceremonies. Aside from that Derek stayed away from the team to enjoy retirement while not being a distraction as The Yankees worked to make it back to the playoffs after missing them for 2 years.

The last few years the teams held several ceremonies in order to honor former players while selling a few more tickets. If Jeter is publicly seen at Spring Training, this would open the door more public appearances such as a day to retire #2 and give Derek a monument in center field. With the Yankees being an improved team this year and having a shot at back to back playoff appearances, Jeter will always be welcome but I don’t see him being pushed to make these kind of appearances.

If we do see Jeter pop up at Steinbrenner Field look for the team to announce a retirement ceremony shortly after. Hopefully after that we see him pop up in the front office or owners box.