Derek Jeter’s Birthday, June 27, 1997; NY Post

Jeter FilaDownload

Thank You Derek Jeter!

So the Captain has decided to retire. I’m sad and happy at the same time. I’m sad because I will probably only get to watch him play live a few times this year if I trek up to the Bronx. I’m happy because he has done so much for baseball. He respects the game and he knows it’s time to move on. As he noted in his retirement announcement last year was difficult for him with all the injuries.

He only played in 17 games in 2013, which had to be painful for him knowing how much he loves to be out there with his teammates. I was fortunate enough to be at one of those games. It was my son Aiden’s first Yankee game, July 28. And wouldn’t you know it, Jeter hit a home run in his first at bat!

To be honest Aiden was more interested in finding a cookie and eating the snacks that we brought than actually watching the game. He was five and a half at the time so he gets a pass. We only stayed for 3 innings and an inning and a half was spent walking around looking for the above mentioned cookie.

However we were in our seats when Jeter deposited the first pitch he saw into the stands. I stood up and cheered as did everyone in the Stadium, even Aiden as I explained to him what happened.

The highlights of Jeter’s career are long and amazing. There was the game winning home run in Game 4 of the 2001 World Series (I was there for that one). Then there was the classic face first dive into the stands against the Red Sox on July 1, 2004 (same day Marlon Brando, my all-time favorite actor died). The 3,000 hit a home run off of David Price (I watched that one from a room in Stony Brook Hospital as I was dealing with a bad case of diverticulitis). Then there was “The Flip” in Game 3 of the 2001 ALDS against Oakland, Jeter was simply in the right place at the right time. I was in a bar called Scruffy Duffy’s in Hell’s Kitchen watching that game.

I could probably go one for another five paragraphs with descriptions of his highlights, as well as where I was when I witnessed them, but I won’t bore you.  My only complaint about Jeter and it’s not his fault or even directed at him, he never won an MVP Award. However, I am sure his five World Series Rings make up for that.  He has always been a team player first.

Hall of Fame for Jeter? No question. First ballot too, guaranteed! The only question is will he be voted in unanimously? Tom Seaver currently holds the record for best percentage with a 98.84. Let’s see if Jeter can top that.

I was up at the Hall of Fame this past summer and I was talking to a friend who works there. He said that the town of Cooperstown is worried about where they are going to put all those people who attend Jeter’s induction ceremony. Previously, the largest crowd was for Cal Ripken in 2007 when it was estimated that 80,000 fans descended on the small village. My friend said they would expect at least 100,000 for Jeter’s induction in 2019. Also keep in mind Mariano Rivera will get inducted in 2018 (another first ballot no-brainer). The Cooperstown Director of Commerce better get moving.

I was fortunate enough to Interview Jeter on his 23rd Birthday in 1997 on Houston Street where a giant wall mural of him was unveiled. He was kind, thoughtful and considerate. So was his dad whom I also got to speak to.

I always like to say that I saw Willie Mays in Centerfield at my first ever baseball game (Mets – Expos March 21, 1973). My son can say he saw Derek Jeter hit a Home Run at his first game. It may not have meant much to him at the time, but I am sure as he grows and starts to watch baseball he will be amazed when I tell him what happened at his first game. Just like his dad is amazed at all the things he saw Derek Jeter do over the course of his career.