SAME MOLD, DIFFERENT ERA: Is Jacob Wilson This Generation’s Derek Jeter

On today’s Locked On A’s, Booney dives deep into the uncanny parallels between rookie shortstop Jacob Wilson and the Yankees legend Derek Jeter. From both being selected sixth overall in the draft to their similar approaches at the plate—balanced, disciplined, and capable of hitting to all fields—Wilson is showing signs he might just be the A’s next cornerstone. Booney breaks down Wilson’s poise, his flashes of leadership, and his steady defense, even while acknowledging the early whispers of doubt. With insight from former Yankee and A’s third baseman Scott Brosius, who shared what made Jeter a generational leader, Booney lays out a compelling case that Wilson might just be walking in similar footsteps—just with a green-and-gold twist.

But that’s not all—this episode also takes a turn into deeper territory. Booney addresses whether baseball has lost its purity as politics continue to seep into the sport. Using the A’s relocation saga as a backdrop, he opens up about his own role in fanning the flames of division. Has baseball’s role as a cultural unifier been compromised, or can it still serve as a rare escape in an increasingly chaotic world? With raw honesty, Booney reflects on his past commentary, asks whether Mariners fans are being too soft, and challenges all of us to preserve what’s sacred about the game.