Derek Jeter's Advice for Yankees Rookie George Lombard Jr. Ahead of Playoff Debut

As George Lombard Jr. prepares to make history as the youngest shortstop in New York Yankees franchise history to start a playoff game, the rookie has drawn inspiration from Hall of Famer Derek Jeter.

Lombard, 21, met with Jeter in the offseason and reconnected with him recently when the former Yankees captain visited Yankee Stadium. Jeter’s advice was simple: "He just said to keep doing what I’m doing. Just focus on baseball and the game."

Lombard, who turns 21 in June, has impressed those around him with his ability to maintain focus, a key factor in the Yankees' decision to promote him from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre less than two months ago. The organization believed he possessed the maturity to handle pressure and would have sufficient time to prove himself in the majors, ultimately preparing him for this playoff opportunity.

"There have been a lot of legends that have played in pinstripes," Lombard said. "It’s cool. I’m hoping to do my job and win some games in the playoffs."

Manager Aaron Boone expressed confidence in the young player. "Ready," Boone stated when asked about Lombard's readiness for the postseason. "Just watching him go through it all these couple of months, how he’s handled himself, how he’s handled success and fallen down, I feel like he’s totally equipped for it. You never know how it’s going to go in a game here and there, or a series. Baseball is going to baseball a little bit, but I believe in the skills and the makeup."

The Yankees drafted Lombard in the first round of the 2023 MLB Draft. His transition to the majors has not been without challenges, including a stretch of six consecutive games with an error and a 13-game period in late August where he batted 5-for-43 with 16 strikeouts. Despite these hurdles, his upbringing around the game, with his father George Lombard Sr. having played in the majors and served as a longtime coach, has aided his adaptation.

Lombard reflected on his major league experience: "Seeing how everything works. The routines and how guys go about their business. Experience the day-to-day, posting every single day and keeping your body in a good place. Dealing with the not-so-good parts, the struggles, not going your way. It’s the mental part of that, experiencing it."

The Yankees are set to face the Boston Red Sox in the American League Wild Card Series. Lombard acknowledged the historic rivalry. "I’ve watched it my whole life, heard it my whole life. Being part of it now is pretty cool. I’m excited to go out there."