Yanks’ new Jeter trying to make a name for himself
TAMPA — Jeter Downs has answered questions about his first name for as long as he can remember.
But this year is the first time he’s doing so while playing for the same organization as his namesake.
“I always rooted for the Yankees growing up,” the 25-year-old said recently at his first Yankees camp. “No surprise there. When I played for the Red Sox, I rooted against them a little bit. But I always admired them, so to finally put on the pinstripes has been pretty cool. It’s more than I expected. These pinstripes feel a little bit different.”
Born in 1998, two years after Derek Jeter came up to the Yankees for good, Downs was named for the shortstop. He’s told the story of how that came to be countless times, but doesn’t mind recalling it again. “I’m used to it,” Downs said. “Everybody has always asked if I was named after Jeter.” His answer has never changed.
“My family is a baseball family and my mom just fell in love with the name,” said Downs, who was born in Colombia, where his father, Jerry Sr., played baseball professionally.
“I was born in ’98, so he was good at the time, but he wasn’t the household name he is now. My family and I saw all that happen, and now to see it come full circle is pretty surreal.”
The family moved to Miami when Downs was 3, he said, in part because his parents wanted to give him and his brother a better chance to succeed. Downs was drafted in the first round by the Reds in 2017 out of Monsignor Edward Pace High School in Miami Gardens, two years after his older brother, Jerry Jr., an outfielder and first baseman, was picked in the 15th round by the Red Sox.
Jeter Downs has yet to hit his stride in the majors, appearing in just 20 combined games over the past two seasons with the Red Sox and Nationals. He faces an uphill battle to make the Yankees’ roster — Oswaldo Cabrera appears to be the front-runner to win the utility infield spot — but could stick at Triple-A.
Other than his first name, Downs’ career has been most notable for being one of the main pieces arriving to Boston in the controversial trade that sent Mookie Betts to the Dodgers in 2020.
He’s since been selected off waivers twice, most recently in December by the Yankees. He has spent most of his pro career at shortstop and second base.
As Downs looks to work his way back to the majors, he doesn’t believe his name adds any more pressure now that he’s trying to get to The Bronx.
“I’ve been dealing with it since I can remember, so it just feels normal now,” Downs said. “I’ve learned to live with it.”
But he acknowledged that playing for the Yankees would mean something more to him.
“I’ve always dreamt about playing for the Yankees,” Downs said. “And I get it, it’s a cool story. God works in mysterious ways, and now we’re here. I feel like everything happens for a reason, especially since Yankee Stadium is the favorite stadium I’ve ever played in, so it will be great if I’m able to put on the pinstripes for real.”
And if he gets there, he may keep the number he was given when he showed up in Yankees camp: 70.
“My mom was born that year,” Downs said. “I didn’t ask for it. Maybe it was meant to be.”
Downs said he’s had a few interactions with the former captain who inspired his name.
A friend of Downs’ was at a golf event with Jeter and the two FaceTimed him. Jeter also sent Downs a message on Twitter after Downs’ first MLB hit, which came against the Yankees on July 9, 2022.
“He’s been cool,” Downs said. “I definitely want to sit down one day and talk to him for a while.”