The Captain's Back

Derek Jeter has the aura special players posess. Remember the opening day of the 1996, when newly installed as the Yankees regular shortstop, he homered in a big win at Cleveland. And all those memories since -- the five world championships, the signature play (the flip?; the dive into the stands?) -- the leadership by example during the Yankees most recent dynasty.
So would you be surprised by what Jeter did Sunday, as he returned from the disabled list and played just his second game of the season? Swinging at the first pitch he saw from 14-game winner Matt Moore, and lining it into the right field seats at Yankee Stadium! Did his mere presence inspire the Yankees -- especially the recently re-acquired  Alfono Soriiano, who also homered and had four hits, including the walk off single in the bottle of the 9th? The injury-ravaged Yankees, saddled with Alex Rodriguez and the looming prospect of a lengthy suspension? Those Yankees, who came into the day a season's worst eight games out of first place -- with their greatest player since Mantle again riding to the rescue.

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