David Ortiz Teases Derek Jeter, Yankees After Rangers ALCS Win Over Astros

Look away, New York Yankees fans.

Some unpleasant pinstripe memories resurfaced after the Texas Rangers defeated the Houston Astros, 5-4, to take a 2-0 American League Championship Series (ALCS) lead on Monday night. Kevin Burkhardt, Alex Rodriguez, David Ortiz, and Derek Jeter highlighted during the FOX MLB postgame show that, in a best-of-seven format, no team has ever advanced to the World Series after losing the first two games of a Championship Series at home.

But Jeter, the Hall of Fame former Yankees shortstop, made sure to point out that the Astros aren't out of it just yet. And in the process, he brought up a sensitive topic.

"Look, just because they're down two games, it's not over," Jeter said. "We lost a series being up 3-0. I don't want to bring it back up, but we lost a series up three."

"You did?" Ortiz, the former Boston Red Sox slugger, interjected knowingly.

"We did," Jeter reluctantly admitted as Ortiz laughed and another former Yankee, Rodriguez, smiled. "But my point is, everyone in the Texas Rangers' clubhouse knows this series is not over."

For any fans who may need a reminder, Jeter and Ortiz are referencing the 2004 ALCS, when the Red Sox became the first—and to this point, only—team in MLB history to overcome a 3-0 postseason series deficit. The Yankees defeated the Red Sox 19-8 in Game 3 of that series to go up 3-0 in that ALCS. Another trip to the World Series seemed imminent.

But Boston, led by some late-game heroics by Ortiz, mounted the comeback and won the next four matchups with the Bronx Bombers. Ortiz delivered walk-off hits in Games 4 and 5 of that series.

Across all seven games of the 2004 ALCS, the "Big Papi" hit three home runs and recorded 11 RBI en route to winning ALCS MVP honors. A year after current Yankees manager Aaron Boone hit a walk-off home run in Game 7 of the ALCS against Boston, the Red Sox sent Jeter, Rodriguez, and the Yankees home to watch the Fall Classic. The Red Sox went on to sweep the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series, ending their 86-year championship drought.

Ortiz was a nuisance to the Yankees for years, while Jeter and Rodriguez had a history of getting on each other's nerves across their careers. But all three of them are joking with each other in their first season as FOX teammates.

Jeter signed on with the network ahead of the 2023 season.

The Astros-Rangers series moves to Arlington on Wednesday night. The Rangers have yet to lose a game this postseason. Meanwhile, the AL West champion Astros are seeking their third World Series win since 2017. Rodriguez, no stranger to controversy, thinks a hostile road crowd could bring the best out of the Astros.

"They're used to playing public enemy No. 1," Rodgriguez said, referring to the Houston sign-sealing scandal. "And they will be that in Arlington."

First pitch for Game 3 is scheduled for 8:03 p.m. on Wednesday. More jokes from Ortiz could be at the ready if the Rangers go up 3-0.