Derek Jeter

New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter (2) smiles as he works out prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Everybody at Tropicana Field seemed to love cheering for Derek Jeter. Except Rays' manager Joe Maddon.

Maddon blasted Rays fans for rooting for the retiring 40-year-old captain after the Yankees beat them, 3-2, on Saturday. Jeter also came up with the game-winning hit, a top-of-the-ninth RBI single that put New York ahead for good.

"Yeah it's great," Maddon said. "It's great that it's sold out. And I understand that the people like Derek Jeter. But you've got to come out and root for the Rays, too, you understand. I mean, I totally understand what's going on. But I'm not going to sit here and defend all of that noise in the Yankees' favor in our ballpark. I'm not going to defend that. So we're going to come out and root for the Rays. We'd appreciate that."

Listen to Maddon's comments below.



Jeter's no stranger to hearing cheers here. He owns a multimillion home in St. Petersburg. The Yankees have a minor-league complex right up the road in Tampa. And Florida has been Yankees territory for as long as I can remember, anyway.

Cheers for Jeter also got a a little boost Saturday considering it's his final season. The shortstop has been inundated with adulation everywhere he's been.