He may have been The Captain on the field, but off the field he was maybe one of the worst sous-chefs I’ve ever had. Here’s a look back at the times when this shortstop stopped well short of being a halfway decent second in command.

1. The Flip

Yankees vs A’s: AL Division Series Game 3 • Oct. 13, 2001

With Jeremy Giambi on first base, Mike Mussina delivers to Terrence Long, who drives a double down the right-field line. Yankees outfielder Shane Spencer fields it, but he overthrows the cutoff man. Seemingly out of nowhere, Jeter sprints across the first-base line to scoop up the ball and flip it to catcher Jorge Posada, who tags Giambi at home. This is maybe the most brilliant and unconventional play in the history of baseball. But what people don’t know is that afterwards, Jeter completely neglected to prep the following day’s marinade. How were we supposed to serve the chicken piccata – dry as toast? Come on, Derek! 

2. The Mr. November Home Run

Yankees vs Diamondbacks: World Series Game 4 • Nov 1, 2001

Two outs. Bottom of the 10th. Jeter hits a walk-off home run off Byung-Hyun Kim to tie the series, and completely forgets to sous-vide the lamb shanks for dinner service that night. I remember thinking, “oh, now I have to sous-vide the lamb shanks? I’m the executive goddamn chef!” Come on, Derek!

3. The Dive

Yankees vs Red Sox • July 1, 2004

Tied 3-3 in the 12th. Trot Nixon loops a ball to shallow left field. Jeter puts on the jets and makes the catch, crashing head-first into the stands at full speed. Meanwhile, I needed that mis-en-place put in place yesterday! Come on, Derek!

4. The 3,000th Hit

Yankees vs Rays • July 9, 2011

Why did you even have this job, Derek? We all knew you were Derek Jeter the baseball player. Just quit and do baseball! But don’t tell me you’re going to prep tomorrow’s risotto and then not do it because you “have a family thing.” I know that means baseball! Come on!!!

5. The Lead-Off Homer

Yankees vs Mets, World Series Game 6 • Oct 25, 2000

There I am in the kitchen wondering why it’s taken twenty minutes for Table 3 to get their cauliflower bisque. Then I look up at the kitchen TV and see Derek goddamn Jeter rounding the bases! Looking back, I’ll admit it was a great managerial move by Joe Torre to move Jose Vizcaino off the leadoff spot and surprise the Mets with Jeter at the top of the order. But also, I don’t care! Bisques don’t make themselves! Come on, Derek!

6. The Fryman Jump Throw

Yankees vs Indians, 1998 ALCS • October 6, 1998

I’ll never forget this one. Derek nabs Travis Fryman’s grounder and makes the throw in mid-air from the outfield grass, getting the Bombers a clutch out in the 1998 ALCS. Great job, Derek. But please, TELL ME IF YOU ARE NOT COMING INTO WORK! I can find another sous-chef if you GIVE ME ADVANCE NOTICE.

In hindsight, I may have raised my voice a little. I’m not sure if that helped but I am sure that steak au poivre was served cold in my restaurant that night. That’s on you, Derek. Come on, Derek!

7. The Stadium Farewell

Yankees vs. Orioles • Final game at old Yankee Stadium • Sept. 21, 2008

For once Jeter shows up to work on time to prepare my signature roasted chicken entrée (credit where credit is due: Jeter knew how to twine up a chicken). But then, I see him walking around the kitchen with his apron off rehearsing some speech! He’s running lines with the saucier, gesticulating wildly, tears in his eyes. With still ten chickens left to twine, Derek comes up to me and says “Hey Chef, can I leave early? I, um, have a family thing.” Sure, Derek, it’s not like Food & Wine critic Gail Simmons (who loves chicken!!) had a reservation that night. I guess you can say goodbye to the House that Ruth built and I can say goodbye to my Michelin Star.

For the record, in 4,488 plate appearances at that Yankee Stadium, Derek Jeter hit 1,274 hits, 209 doubles, 26 triples, 106 home runs, and prepared ZERO STEAK AU POIVRES. Come on, Derek!

Xavier Perez is an executive chef at Cucina and contributing writer for GobblerNY.