Yeah Jeets!!!!!

DE-REK JE-TER

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DE-REK JE-TER

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DE-REK JE-TER

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No one would have thought that on May 29, 1995, the next Yankee Captain was taking his first major league swing at the now demolished King Dome in Seattle. No one who saw Derek Jeter that day would've ever predicted the 5 rings, the 3,463 hits, or the 14 All Star Game Appearances. That day in 1995, no one knew about Mr November or Captain Clutch. In 1995, no one thought that the 21-year shortstop would become a 40-year old icon before leaving the game that he loves. 

Thursday night in the Bronx, the House that George Built felt more like the old place across the street, to give Derek Jeter a proper farewell. The Captain didn't disappoint the sold out crowd, who paid a mini-fortune to see him one last time. Despite Hiroki Kuroda giving up a home run in Jeter's last roll call, and Dave Robertson blowing a 3-run lead in the 9th, Jeter had to send the fans home happy one last time. With the winning run on second, Jeter did what he does best, lining the ball into right field for the walk-off win, cuing Frank Sinatra. If this were a movie, you'd have said that it was too phony. 

After the game, Jeter gave fans a rare glimpse into his closely guarded persona. In an interview on YES, when asked what he was thinking when he went up to bat in the 9th, he said "to not cry". Jeter admitted he was a mess the whole game, forgetting his shin guard and giving signs to Stephen Drew even though there weren't any runners on base. After being serenaded by the fans with a Thank You Jeter, he responded, "Everybody, the fans, are saying ‘Thank you, Derek.’ I’m saying to myself, ‘For what?’ I’m just trying to do my job. Thank you guys.”

What can I say that hasn't been said before about Derek Jeter. His retirement tour showed how revered he is, even by the Red Sox, where he will play his final game on Sunday. Jeter is the last of a dying breed in the Yankees organization. The last member of the Core Four, and the 5 World Series victories. Like a lot of Yankee fans my age, my youth died last night too. Jeter is the Yankees, and I don't really know where the future of the team lies, but that is for another day. 

The last 20 years have been amazing as a Yankee fan. I'll never forget the dive into the stands, the flip play, the leadoff home run against the Mets in the World Series, or the walk-off agains the Diamondbacks in 2001. I'll never forget the way you gave the game 100 percent every day. I'll never forget the class you showed both on the field and off it. Thank You Jeter!!