Derek Jeter's absence surprises fans: Skips Veterans Day game amid Yankees' 2000 World Series celebrations - lulu

   

TORONTO — The Old-Timers’ Day game is coming back, but Derek Jeter is not.

For the first time since 2019, the Yankees will hold a baseball game as part of the annual event on Aug. 9 while honoring the 25th anniversary of the 2000 World Series championship team.

The Yankees listed 38 scheduled attendees, including four first-timers: Roger Clemens, David Justice, Alfonso Soriano and Jose Vizcaino.

But Jeter will be notably absent, as the Hall of Fame shortstop has said he would not play in an Old-Timers’ Day game.

Derek Jeter salutes the fans at Yankees' Old-Timers' Day on Aug. 24, 2024.Derek Jeter salutes the fans at Yankees’ Old-Timers’ Day on Aug. 24, 2024.Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

Yankees greats Mariano Rivera (l.) and Derek Jeter (r.) are all laughs as they sit on the field during Old-Timers' Day on Aug. 24, 2024.Yankees greats Mariano Rivera (l.) and Derek Jeter (r.) are all laughs as they sit on the field during Old-Timers’ Day on Aug. 24, 2024.Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

“They’re not gonna see me hit again. No, I would be afraid I would hurt myself,” Jeter said at last year’s event, his second time appearing at it, both times featuring only a Q&A. “But that’s not saying the reason there’s no game is because I’m not playing. I don’t make those decisions, contrary to your belief.”

Members of the 2000 team scheduled to attend are Clay Bellinger (his first with his son, Cody, playing for the Yankees), Chris Chambliss, Clemens, David Cone, Dwight Gooden, Orlando Hernández, Justice, Tino Martinez, Lee Mazzilli, Ramiro Mendoza, Gene Monahan, Paul O’Neill, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada, Willie Randolph, Mariano Rivera, Luis Sojo, Soriano, Shane Spencer, Mike Stanton, Joe Torre, Vizcaino and Bernie Williams.