Jazz Chisholm Jr., who was acquired by the Yankees in a trade with Marlins on Saturday, has a special connection with Hall of Famer Derek Jeter.
Jeter, also famously known as The Captain, brought Chisholm to Miami during his time as part-owner and CEO of the Marlins.
“I talked to Jeter and he was like ‘you know I traded for you myself,’ ” Chisholm shared on The Pivot podcast earlier this year. “‘This trade wouldn’t have happened unless I was the one to say yes.’ “
Chisholm, who coincidentally wore No. 2 for the Marlins, then shared he called Jeter crying after he learned of his all-time idol, Kobe Bryant’s death.
Chisholm, who is able to play the outfield as well as third base, shortstop and second base, was at the Mamba Academy in Los Angeles just two days before Bryant’s helicopter accident.
He was supposed to meet Bryant the next day.
But before he could meet Bryant that Sunday, news of the tragic accident spread.
“It was like, OK my dream is about to come true, I’m about to meet my idol. And the helicopter happens,” Chisholm said. “I called Derek Jeter, on the phone, crying.
“I was like, bro, I was supposed to meet Kobe and he just died.”
After that, Chisholm, who Jeter said was his shortstop, had a request for his boss.
“I called him after my idol died and I said ‘you have to be my idol,’ ” Chisholm said.
Chisholm shared that from that day forward, Jeter treated him “like his son.”