The New York Yankees were eliminated in this year's American League Division Series. Meanwhile, their World Series opponents from last year, the Los Angeles Dodgers, return to play in the Fall Classic.
The Dodgers' star-studded lineup is trying to become their first back-to-back championships since the Yankees completed a three-peat in 2000, which surprises not many. Derek Jeter was a member of the 2000 Yankees and is now taking subtle shots at the Dodgers.
Five-time World Series champion Jeter interviewed Mookie Betts before Game 3 of the World Series and brought up some of Betts' past comments. Bates has previously mentioned that he is chasing Jeter in the ring. According to the New York Post, the interview aired before Game 3 and Jeter took minor jabs at the Dodgers and Betts.
“How many rings do you have?” Jeter asked Bates.
“Three,” Bates replied.
“Two and a half rings,” Jeter replied jokingly, likely hinting that the Dodgers' 2020 championship only counts as half a ring.
The Dodgers won the World Series in the pandemic-shortened season. The legitimacy of the title is often questioned. There are only 60 games in the regular season. However, Betts won a championship with the Boston Red Sox before ever putting on a Dodgers uniform.
Last season, Betts won his third ring, moving him closer to Jeter. A win this year would put him within one point of being a Hall of Famer, as he appears to have been playing alongside Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman for years.
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