Warning: Minor spoilers ahead forReacherseason 3, episode 7, “L.A. Story.“Reacherseason 3, episode 7, “L.A. Story,” reveals thatAlan Ritchson’s title character is a New York Yankees fan, but it takes a deeper dive into franchise lore to discover the reason why. Although he initially comes across as a wandering brute, Jack Reacher is a surprisingly layered character with a wide range of interests. His focus on the mission at hand often means there’s little time for him to discuss these hobbies, but when he finds a spare moment to talk about them, it’s always an enlightening moment.
As the leader of theReacherseason 3 cast, Ritchson’s return has allowed him to flesh out his character even more. Although fans ofLee Child’sJack Reacherbookswill inevitably have greater insight into what makes the franchise’s main character tick,those unfamiliar with the source material are discovering everything about Reacher through the Prime Video adaptation. Even before he served with the110th Special Investigators, the towering antihero has a rich backstory that heavily informs his present-day antics.
Reacher’s Love Of The Yankees Goes Back To His Childhood
Lee Child has explained in the books why the Yankees are Reacher’s team
The Amazon version ofReacherhas already addressed thatRitchson’s character moved around a lot in his youthdue to his father serving in the military. Living on bases in foreign countries often meant he was cut off from a lot of American culture, including access to a wide array of sports broadcasts. However, the books explain that because the New York Yankees are one of MLB’s biggest teams, their games can often be seen by international audiences. As such, Reacher grew up watching them, despite being overseas.
DUFFY: “How do you know your way around Boston so well?”
REACHER: “Been to Fenway a few times.”
DUFFY: “Sox fan?”
REACHER: “Yankees.”
DUFFY: “F*ck you.”
- Reacher & Susan Duffy (Sonya Cassidy) inReacherseason 3, episode 7, “L.A. Story.”
Reacher moved around so much due to his father’s military career that he ultimately isn’t “from” anywhere. So, while it may initially seem surprising that he has an allegiance to the Yankees over all the other MLB teams, the explanation from the books helps contextualize this character trait. Plus, it also further accounts for Reacher’s time in the military himself when he grew up, plus his ongoing desire to continue wandering without a set home after retiring from the 110th.
Reacher Uses His Yankees Knowledge To Come Up With Code Names
The franchise’s main character often needs a temporary alias
Ritchson’s Reacher has already stated in the live-action adaptation that people often use things with which they’re intimately familiar when coming up with aliases and code names. Part of the reason why he knows this is that he does it himself. When moving around the country, Reacher often creates temporary identities. He builds them from the names of Yankees players of the past and present, and they’re usually second basemen. For a man who treasures his anonymity, this could arguably be aReacherplot hole, but it doesn’t really make him that much easier to locate.
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“Number 2 with a Bullet”
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“Smoke on the Water”
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