No New York Yankee player has had a much more impact on the Yankees’ success in the past two decades than Derek Jeter. In an important moment, he always seemed to rise to the occasion, even when it didn’t seem likely. On the last day of his career at Yankee Stadium, it seemed that the game was choreographed for Jeter even though they would not go on to a postseason appearance in 2014. He retired with 3,464 hits and 260 home runs, and a career .816 OPS.
Not only was Derek Jeter a great hitter, but he was also an excellent defender as one of the best shortstops in baseball. But one of the strangest talents that Jeter had was the ability to accomplish a particular feat and do it unexpectedly. On the evening of Oct. 13, 2001, the seventh inning of the third game of the American League Division Series between the Yankees and Athletics, and Jeter was in the right place at the right time. With Oakland’s Jason Giambi on third base. With Mike Mussina on the mound, Torrence Long hit one down the right-field line, Spencer fielded the ball but overthrew both cut off men. Jeter mysteriously appeared past the first baseline getting the ball and flipping it to Posada, who tagged out Giambi. This is an astonishing play that he has never been seen then or since.
One of Derek Jeter’s most stressful times was the games leading up to his 3,000th hit, a record seldom seen in baseball. In all of baseball history, only 27 players had had 3,000 hits. Jeter entered his 2011 season struggling and not used to bad press, but after a two-hit game in Cleveland lifted his average to .257, Jeter — a .314 career hitter before this season — acknowledged that the scrutiny of his struggles had taken some fun from the chase for 3,000.
“It’s kind of hard to enjoy it when there’s a lot of negativity that’s out there,†Jeter said. “Hopefully, I might be able to enjoy it the next few days.â€
Nevertheless, the hit watch was on among the New York Yankee faithful. Jeter was known for having his Mom and Dad in the stands for important moments in Jeter’s career. This was no different in the days leading up to his 3,000 hit moment. On July 9, 2011, he entered the game at Yankee Stadium just two hits short of the remarkable accomplishment. Jeter would get a hit in the game, drawing him even closer. Again referring to Jeter over accomplishing, in his second at-bat, he would launch a David Price breaking ball over the left-field fence for his 3,000th hit, a homer no one expected. With a sold-out Stadium, he would hit five for five and hit the winning hit in the game.
With so many important moments in the future Hall of Famer’s career, it wasn’t easy to pick on a particular moment of accomplishment. But today, I have picked one of the most successful moments of his career. With his career all but over, the Yankee star played his last game at Yankee Stadium. It was one of the happiest days for Yankee fans as they celebrated his career, but at the same time is was sad for the fans to know they would never see their favorite shortstop play again.
But even with the celebration, there was a game to be played that day against the division winning Baltimore Orioles on that afternoon in 2014. There was nothing on the line, but somehow the game took on special meaning for Yankee fans. The stands were full for that last Yankee game. Like in many games, his family was in the stands. As the game progressed to a tie in the ninth inning, fans didn’t know if Jeter would be taken out of the game to give him his moment in the bottom of the ninth. But the decision was made to have Jeter hit instead. He took to the plate and hit a game-winning walk-off a line drive to end his career as if it was choreographed.
That late afternoon saw a celebration of Derek Jeter that would last long after the game was over without a single fan leaving the ballpark. The celebration will be one that will be long-remembered by New York Yankee fans. Below will remind you of that game. Thank you, Derek Jeter, for an amazing career that will lead to the Baseball Hall of Fame.