‘Brockmire’ Referenced Derek Jeter’s Sexiest Urban Legend In Season 2 Premiere

Season 2 of Hank Azaria’s delightfully debaucherous baseball comedy Brockmire officially premieres this Wednesday, but the first episode of Season 2 is now streaming on IFC.com. One of the funniest sitcoms of 2017, the raunchy comedy follows disgraced Major League Baseball announcer Jim Brockmire (Azaria) as he attempts to reclaim both his personal life and professional career by accepting a job calling minor league baseball games for the lowly Morristown Frackers. Also starring Amanda Peet and Tyrel Jackson Williams, Season 1 was an underseen trove of hilarity, earning a 94% Tomatometer and Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Season 1 was a clever mix of acerbic wit and madcap baseball antics, and Season 2 wastes no time reestablishing its subversive humor. In the opening scene, Brockmire, who’s now living in the den of decadence known as New Orleans, spoofs one of baseballs most infamous urban legends: the Derek Jeter gift basket.

After a long night of… God knows what… Brockmire’s in the middle of one of his patented meandering monologues as his lady friend from the night before sleeps it off.

“Which gift basket does she get?” Brockmire’s reluctant best friend Charles asks. “Oh the Jeter,” Brockmire responds. “Oh my God she earned it.”

This is an obvious nod to the now famous 2011 NY Post story claiming that the former Yankee and renowned casanova sent a bevy of one-night-stands home with gift baskets containing autographed Jeter memorabilia. It’s a story the Yankee legend has vigorously denied, yet the provocative rumor endures.

Jeter’s personal life — which include rumored romances with Minka Kelly, Jessica Biel, Mariah Carey, and Jordana Brewster among others — has been a lightning rod of intrigue since his rookie season, and the IFC comedy had a ball poking fun at the long-standing scuttlebutt.

“Maybe you should consider not giving the Jeter [gift basket] to every woman you bring home,” Charles states matter-of-factly. Brockmire scoffs at the alternative: A Mike Piazza gift basket.

“Those Piazza baskets you designed? Charles, they’re confusing and they’re unpopular. There’s an element of sadness to them.”

You don’t have to be a baseball fan to enjoy the deranged lunacy of Brockmire, but it certainly helps.

You can watch the Season 2 premiere of Brockmire on IFC.com.