Ohio State Buckeyes

Meyer recalls time Jeter turned down speaking to Buckeyes

Published May. 10, 2015 12:08 a.m. ET

foxsports

As promised, Urban Meyer did not let an appendectomy prevent him from making a scheduled appearance at Yankee Stadium on Friday night.

The former minor league shortstop turned three-time national champion college football coach threw out a ceremonial first pitch but was unhappy with the result, a ball that fluttered high and away from the plate.

"Ah, it's soft," the Ohio State head coach lamented during an appearance on the Yankees television broadcast. "We had a little appendix surgery two days ago."

Champions are always welcome here. #PinstripePride pic.twitter.com/Ci5DeI9NFN
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) May 9, 2015

Meyer chatted with the Yankees TV crew, including former Red and Yankee Paul O'Neill, a Columbus native and noted Ohio State fan, for several minutes and hit on a myriad of topics, including the Buckeyes' national championship run and spring practice.

You know, the usual stuff — at least until the name Derek Jeter came up.

After O'Neill said he still needles Jeter, who grew up in Michigan and is a Wolverines fan, about every Ohio State win over the Maize and Blue, Meyer mentioned he asked the famed former Yankees shortstop about speaking to his team.

Chuckling as he recalled the conversation, Meyer said he was turned down.

"He said, 'I'm not sure I could even do that. They might kick me out.'"

Just another reminder: The Game never ends.