With MLB’s All-Star festivities in full swing, Fox Sports’ top commentators are joining forces — and making for some awkward encounters.
While appearing on “The Herd” with Colin Cowherd, Yankees Hall of Famer Derek Jeter joined the show from Arlington, Texas to chime in on National League All-Star starter Paul Skenes.
“Obviously, you were in the Nolan Ryan era,” Cowherd suggested, comparing the rookie to the Hall of Fame flamethrower.
“No, no, no,” Jeter countered. “Slow down.”
“Not even an inning?” Cowherd laughed.
“No. I was way after Nolan,” Jeter responded. “Way, way, way after.”
Ryan, the all-time leader in strikeouts, last pitched in September 1993.
Meanwhile, the recently-turned-50-year-old Jeter didn’t debut until May 1995.
While the difference may seem considerably less than “way after,” Ryan’s 27-year career traversed the entire 1970s and 1980s, a much different epoch for the sport than when Jeter was starring in the late 1990s and 2000s.
Jeter and Cowherd seemed to laugh off the factual mistake and proceeded with All-Star discussion.
The hiatus from the flow of normal game activity always provides for memorable media moments, and Monday followed suit.
For instance, Yankees All-Star Juan Soto — a free agent after the 2024 season — remarked that he’d like to play with Dodgers two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani at some point during his career.
Another came when 22-year-old Reds shortstop and first-time All-Star Elly De La Cruz revealed his admiration for Jeter while on stage for an interview.
With the 2024 MLB Draft already well underway, the ceremonies from Texas will continue via the Home Run Derby, which debuts a modified format at 8 p.m. ET from Globe Life Field.
The 94th Midsummer Classic — featuring Skenes as the first rookie pitcher to start since 1995 — begins at 8 p.m. on Tuesday.