Derek Jeter is the kind of guy who makes fantasy a reality. Last night was the Jeets’ last game at Yankee Stadium, and he made sure to go out in style.
How can you not love that? I’ve never been a particularly big fan of Derek Jeter as a baseball player — or the Yankees winning at all, for that matter. But to go out of your home stadium on top like that? It gives you chills.
And regardless of my personal opinion on Jeter, baseball is going to feel slightly strange without him. He’s been there since I was a kid — pretty much the only constant in baseball. Sure, it’s not hard to stay with the Yankees for 19 seasons when you’re a pretty good shortstop and a fan favorite. Still, it’s not the kind of thing that happens much these days.
So while I always loved the Jeets for his ivory tower personality — pleasuring himself to his own highlights, giving gift baskets to his one-night stands and dating a slew of the most gorgeous women on the planet — I’m also going to miss the baseball player.
Here’s to you, Jeets. See you in the Hall in five years.