Gordon Beckham was a rookie infielder with the Chicago White Sox when he had his first chance to chat with Derek Jeter at second base. It was Aug. 1, 2009, and Beckham had just hit a double, knocking the pitcher out of the game. During the pitching change, he and Jeter engaged in the typical mundane banter to fill the gap.

But talking to Jeter, the Yankees’ shortstop, was different, Beckham said. He admits he was star-struck.

“He was the only one who made me feel that way,” said Beckham, who is now with the Los Angeles Angels, “and I felt that way so much, I forgot how many outs there were.”