Frank Capra couldn't have scripted this any better. Last night, Derek Jeter's final game at Yankee Stadium was as successful as it could be: the rain stopped, the skies began to clear and The Captain took the field in the Bronx for the final time. He singled in the Yankees first run in the bottom of the 1st inning; moments later, he scored to tie the game. In the 7th, his bases-loaded grounder drove in the go-ahead run -- only to have the Orioles tie the game on a couple of home runs off David Robertson in the top of the 9th. Moments later, the disappointment turned into one final thrill.
(These images are from Derek Jeter Day on September 7th.)
Rookie Jose Pirela singled to lead off the inning; Antoan Richardson ran for him. Brett Gardner bunted him over. That set the stage for Jeter. Facing Orioles reliever Evan Meek, he hit a sharp grounder his favorite way -- between 1st and 2nd base -- allowing Richardson to score the winning run. Three RBIs on the night, capped by a walk off single. That win accomplished one thing more: it was the Yanks' 82nd victory, assuring that they'd finish with a winning record -- as they had in each of the 20 seasons that Jeter appeared in pinstripes.
The presence, the confidence, the ability to turn the ordinary into a magical moment -- that's why #2 will be joining these other Yankee retired numbers.
The best Yankee since Mantle. The face of baseball. Second to none. Thanks for the memories, Derek.
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