Jeter Downs is set to make his MLB debut Wednesday night vs. the Detroit Tigers. If you're unfamiliar with the Boston Red Sox prospect, yes, he is named after New York Yankees legend Derek Jeter.
To make the day even more special for Downs, he received a message from Jeter before taking the field at Fenway Park. The Hall of Famer took to Twitter to wish Downs good luck.
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"Had the chance to meet @jeter2downs a few years ago (he wasn’t with the Red Sox then). Congratulations and good luck… unless you are playing the Yankees," he wrote.
That, along with Downs' first major league at-bat, is something the 23-year-old infielder will never forget.
The Red Sox acquired Downs as part of the 2020 trade that sent Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The last two seasons have been a struggle for him as he's hitting just .187 with 25 homers and 200 strikeouts through 152 total games with Triple-A Worcester. Nonetheless, he'll hope Jeter's tweet is the good luck charm he needed as he takes the next step in his career.
Boston Red Sox
Downs will hit ninth in Boston's lineup and play third base Wednesday night at Fenway Park. First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. ET.