Boomer Esiason believes Derek Jeter is lying about Yankees Old Timers’ Day excuse

Derek Jeter is already mad at Boomer Esiason for calling him an ‘elitist,’ wait until he finds out the WFAN radio host also accused him of lying.

Last week, the New York Yankees announced the return of Old-Timers’ Day this August, adding that the event will honor their 2000 World Series championship. Unfortunately, the MVP and most popular player from that team, Derek Jeter won’t be there, allegedly because of his daughter’s birthday party.

On his WFAN radio show with co-host Gregg Giannotti, Esiason said Jeter should be at Old-Timers’ Day and claimed the absence seems “elitist.” Apparently, Jeter heard what Esiason said, and he took that personally.

Esiason’s WFAN colleague Tiki Barber was in Cooperstown over the weekend to celebrate his friend CC Sabathia’s induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. While there, Barber saw Jeter and asked the former Yankees shortstop if he was aware of Esiason’s comment.

Tiki talked this weekend with Derek Jeter, who had some thoughts on Boomer 🤣 pic.twitter.com/5vR9E5L0FY

— WFAN Sports Radio (@WFAN660) July 28, 2025

“He got so mad at Boomer I had to go buy him shots,” Barber said of Jeter. “So mad that I had to dump water on his head so he would cool down and chill out. Boomer should just call him! Just ask! He’s not an elitist.”

Tiki Barber said Derek Jeter confirmed he’s missing the event for his daughter’s birthday party and added, “he should have called me, don’t speculate about me, just talk to me!” regarding Boomer Esiason.

But Esiason had already heard about the alleged birthday party excuse, he just doesn’t believe that’s the reason for Jeter’s absence. Tuesday morning, Esiason listened to Barber’s recap of his interaction with Jeter at Cooperstown and he still thinks there is more to the story.

Boomer Esiason doesn’t buy Derek Jeter’s birthday excuse for missing Yankees Old-Timers’ Day pic.twitter.com/bTUoXGxPM1

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) July 29, 2025

“I believe there’s an inaccurate part of this story out there,” Esiason said. “There is something going on, I believe. But I don’t believe it’s what everybody thinks it is. But maybe I could be wrong.”

Earlier in the show, Esiason said he received an email from someone in Jeter’s circle explaining where the Hall-of-Fame shortstop will be the weekend of Old-Timer’s Day. Esiason didn’t want to reveal the details, but said if the email is accurate, Jeter will be missing Old-Timer’s Day for a family affair, although it’s not for a kid’s birthday party.

Boomer Esiason further noted the unreported excuse meets his criteria for a worthy absence. So, hopefully, Derek Jeter takes some solace in knowing Esiason is now willing to give him an excused absence, something Yankees radio voice Dave Sims didn’t receive earlier this year.