No single digit uniform will be worn by a Yankee ever again
Nearly two years ago, Derek Jeter suffered an unfortunate injury during the 2012 ALCS, breaking his left ankle on a routine ground ball reach against the Detroit Tigers. While many speculated that would be the last game Jeter would ever play, the 20-year captain of MLB’s most prized franchise would not bow out being carted off the diamond. After taking nearly the entire 2013 to rehabilitate with only a few games played, Jeter would soon announce 2014 would be his last season of playing in February. After signing a one-year deal for his farewell run, New York would soon start their season with hopes of leaving the Alex Rodriguez scandal from 2013 behind them.
Throughout the season, the team was without A-Rod and suffered multiple injuries from Masahiro Tanaka, CC Sabathia, Carlos Beltran and Ivan Nova to name a few of their key players. With serious playoff contentions out the window before 2014 play even began, many were viewing the season as a farewell tour for Derek Jeter. Skipper Joe Giradi was even questioned over the last few weeks of playing Jeter, during his nearly month-long slump of hitting woes. We’re sure many pinstripes fans would’ve wanted this night in comparison to being swept during the post-season or even losing in a Wild Card one-off in the next few days.
The nearly sold out stadium of 48,613 in attendance were weary of rain delaying the game, but overcast was clear enough for their hometown Yankees hit the diamond against the Baltimore Orioles. The game would sadly begin with starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda giving up two back-to-back homers with Nick Markakis and Alejandro De Aza blasting out to right field. The bottom of the first would see Jeter doubling to deep left and bringing in Brett Gardner for their first score of the night. With the crowd sensing they would be in for a night to remember, Jeter would soon score after an error from Kerry Johnson to even things up.
Wow #Yankees fans. Are there any words? Thank you, Derek. #FarewellCaptain
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 26, 2014
With hitting coming to a complete stop for the next 6 innings, New York would soon see the emergence of their bats returning. In the second, Baltimore suffering their second error of the night, this time with Jeter reaching first; while both Ichiro Suzuki and Jose Pirela scored to give the pinstripers a lead. Those in attendance watching were under the impression that was Jeter’s final at bat and an out pour of cries from team members, staff and Jeter himself started to flow throughout the stadium. In the 9th inning, the Orioles would soon find themselves with another pair of back-to-back homers, this time with Adam Jones and Steve Pearce.
Now with the game tied, Jeter was guaranteed for one more at bat. The final inning for Jeter’s Bronx tenure would begin with a Jose Pirela single to left, followed by an immediate Brett Gardner sac-fly. Derek Jeter would soon hit the plate for the final time singling to right field on Evan Meek to give his team a 6-5 victory for the storybook ending. New York would soon clear the benches cheering for their captain one final time, as Frank Sinatra played to close out the night. 5 World Series, Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Awards alone should have Jeter aiming for Cooperstown in a unanimous first-ballot hall-of-fame induction for 2020 eligibility.
When the smoke cleared, Jeter took one last final bow at Yankees Stadium, with the entire crowd staying to see their captain leave the diamond. The Yankees conclude their season against the Boston Redsox. Although Derek revealed he wouldn’t take field at short stop, he did say a few bats at DH would happen during the 3-day affair.
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