In the end, Jeter hit a homer after all
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Sep 22, 2008 
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Derek Jeter was asked a few days ago if he would address the crowd after the game. He agreed, but never wrote anything down.
“I thought about what I wanted to say, but not exactly what it would be,” he said.
Joe Girardi took Jeter out of the game with two outs in the ninth. Only then did Jeter consider his words. Then, speaking off the top of his head, he eloquently wrapped up the evening and expressed the exact message the organization wanted to convey.
That pretty much tells you all you need to know about Jeter, what kind of person he is and what he means to this team. He just had the greatest 0 for 5 in history.
That speech was definitely rehearsed. I Still got love for Jeter even if it was.
Pete:
Amen.
In six, seven years when Jeter retires, it will be really odd to not have him. He means that much to the team.
Well said, Pete. Jeter is as big a part of this franchise as anyone ever. It’s become popular in some circles to knock him, either for his defense or his GIDP total. But to me, he and Mariano have built up unlimited good will. They have contributed as much to championship teams as anyone in Yankees history, and off the field they comport themselves with dignity and humility. As a fan, I am so thankful to have watched Jeter and Rivera since they were rookies.
yeah, that was a great speech. And I forgive the 0-fer. The guy probably wouldn’t have even been in the lineup if it wasn’t the last game at the Stadium, and he made some nice plays in the field.
When all is said & done many years from now, long after Jeter has retired, Jeter will be remembered as one of the greatest Yankees to ever wear pinstripes.
A class act and a great ball player.
well said pete. and great coverage as usual. espn may have ravich + co., but we have you and are all the more lucky for it
jeter, without a shed of a doubt understands the burden upon him as captain and as the face of the yankees. he does not shy away from the responsibility of carrying the torch, while always having the awareness to honor the legends that walked before him.
for many, including yours, he helped the pain go away a little tonight and further instilled a bit more of the joy of being a yankee fan sink in all the more…
i lamented the coming of this night; but it couldn’t have been better.and it was so good to see bernie back…
here’s to ’09. let’s go yanks.
Well said, Pete. The whole evening was just one great class act!
Right on, Pete. The Captain is awesome, and he gave the perfect speech for an amazing night. He’s always made it clear how much love and respect he has for his parents, and it’s clear they did a phenomenal job raising him and his sister. Derek Jeter is right up there with all-time great Yankees, and we’re lucky to have him. Thanks for the above and beyond coverage that makes this blog the only place to be at times like this.
I feel the same way Pete.
Man, just watching all the greats out there tonight and the members of the teams over the past ten years…do all you Yankee fans realize how lucky we are?
Here’s hoping the way they palyed tonight and the emotion surrounding what Yankee baseball means rubs off on this new generation team as they reboot the franchise next year in the new stadium.
For now, hats, and thank you to all the players, all the fans, and to my beloved home, New York City.
Just got home and uploading all my photos hopefully will be able to post them soon,. LONG LONG day feel like I spent a lifetime in one day there. Jeter’s speech was for me one of the highlights of my time at Yankee Stadium.
SHame it takes something like the closing of the stadium for there to be a fan appreciation type of speech. Growing up in with the Phillies the last home gameof EVERY year was fan appreciation day. Maybe I was spoiled by that but I always felt the Yankees should do the same thing we as fans and what we gie to the team should get an appreciation day lol.
Will have more to say on the day and night later but it was great and so glad I was there.
Jetes = class act
Also … Pete… Great Job…
Ah, Pete — that speech gave me goosebumps. So well put and delivered. BRAVO, Jete!
I know he would have liked to have been at his best tonight, but we got to see the real Jeter tonight — playing hurt when it really matters.
Thanks, Pete for your world-class coverage.
I couldn’t be prouder of the New York Yankees. Unfortunately I have been living in MA for the past 13 years and it’s sickening. I wasn’t even aware of the rivalry growing up in NY. Who cares about the “curse”. They will never know what it feels like to be a yankee fan- it’s the greatest feeling in the world.