Jack Curry Details Jeter, Yankees' Scary '98 Season in New Book
In 1998, Derek Jeter and his New York Yankees teammates faced a terrifying bus incident in Tijuana, Mexico, that almost led to disaster before the season even began.
May 6, 2023
Life had been kind to Derek Jeter, the 23-year-old shortstop for the New York Yankees. Having achieved his childhood dream of playing for the team and earning a World Series ring from his rookie season in 1996, he continued to enjoy his success in the major leagues. The beginning of the 1998 season saw the team leaving their spring training site in Tampa and preparing for the new season with anticipation and excitement. However, a detour through Tijuana, Mexico, before an exhibition game in San Diego nearly resulted in a disaster for the Yankees. Boarding a bus in Tijuana, the team found themselves in chaos as the driver made a reckless turn, causing the bus to teeter on a two-foot cement barrier. In a panic, the bus driver received yells and howls from the team members as they attempted to shift the balance so the vehicle wouldn't flip over. Once the driver regained control and the bus was stable, the shaken passengers demanded that he stop driving. They walked the rest of the way to the U.S.-Mexico border, grateful to be safe from the unprecedented incident. When asked about memorable occurrences from the 1998 season, Jeter frequently recalls the bus ride, an event that nearly jeopardized the $63 million Yankees for nothing more than a brief display of recklessness.
