MJ, Ewing attend Jeter's HOF induction
Bryan Hoch
@BryanHochCOOPERSTOWN, N.Y. -- The excitement over Derek Jeter's induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame made its mark upon the sports world, with no greater evidence than Michael Jordan¡¯s presence in the front rows of the Clark Sports Center on Wednesday afternoon.
Seated alongside fellow Basketball Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing, "His Airness" highlighted a star-studded group of attendees that featured a who¡¯s who of Jeter¡¯s two-decade career in Yankees pinstripes. Jeter and Jordan have been friendly since meeting in the Arizona Fall League during Jordan¡¯s 1994 foray into professional baseball.
¡°I pick his brain quite a bit,¡± Jeter said on MLB Network. ¡°We played two completely different sports, we¡¯re two completely different athletes, but the mindset is the same. And that¡¯s you go out there and try to win regardless of what you¡¯re doing.¡±
Jordan was a six-time NBA champion with the Bulls in the 1990s, his second NBA tour overlapping with the period in which Jeter racked up four World Series from 1996-2000, plus another in '09.
¡°Every time we won, [Jordan] would just tell me how many more I had to go to catch him,¡± Jeter said. ¡°So I still get reminded of it.¡±
Reggie Jackson wore a pinstriped Yankees jersey with Jeter¡¯s No. 2 stitched on the back, and Mike Mussina, Mariano Rivera and Joe Torre were on the dais among the 31 attending members of the Hall of Fame. Jeter¡¯s former teammates Andruw Jones, Tino Martinez, Jorge Posada, CC Sabathia, Alfonso Soriano, Luis Sojo and Gerald Williams were spotted in the audience.
Bernie Williams performed a soulful rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner for the estimated crowd of 20,000, accompanied by saxophonist Richie Cannata.
¡°I have a very good group of close friends, and they come from all walks of life,¡± Jeter said. ¡°I was lucky that a few of them were able to make it. I know more wanted to come, but all things considered and the circumstances, people were here in spirit.¡±