Oh Captain, My Captain

Sometimes miracles happen.  Today was Derek Jeter's last game at Yankee Stadium, and we were fortunate enough to be able to go. All week long it seemed like the baseball Gods were conspiring against us.  The weather forecast had predicted rain all day today.  There was a 100% chance of rain at game time and we spent all day long praying that they play the game at some point, even if it didn't start until 1:00am.  Or hopefully, they could just play 5 innings before the rain started coming down hard, so it would be considered a complete game for the record books.  We just wanted to see Derek Jeter one last time.  It has been raining off and on all day today and we were certain that there would be rain during game time.  In fact, it was raining when we got on the Subway and headed to the game. By the time we took our seats the rain had actually stopped and in fact, there was a rainbow.  We figured that was a good omen.  

The stadium was electric.  I don't even know how to describe the emotion at the Stadium.  Every time Jeter came to the plate or took the field everyone was chanting his name.  When he took the field for the top of the First, he left the dugout and the rest of the team waited so he could have a moment on the field by himself.  For his first at-bat, he hit a double and scored a run. He missed a home run by about one foot.  Classic Jeter.

The game proceeded as normal until the seventh inning when Jeter came to the plate with the bases loaded.  He broke his bat on a hopper toward short, but JJ Hardy blew the throw and Jeter got on base and scored another run.  By the time we got to the ninth inning the score was 5-2 for the Yankees.

Throughout the game, there were several messages on the screen including a Jeter tribute video from the Fans, the "My Way" commercial, and the "Re2pect" commercial.  There were also several players, managers, and broadcasters telling about their favorite Yankee moments including the dive into the stands, the flip day against the A's in the 2001 ALDS, and of course his 3,000 hits.  Everything about the game was amazing.

There had been a lot of discussions that Joe Girardi would pull Jeter out of the game in the top of the ninth with two outs.  The whole stadium was on its feet.  We chanted "Derek Jeter," and "Thank You Derek" over and over again.  He kept tipping his hat and crouching down.  It was very special.  Markakis came to the plate and David Robertson got two quick strikes before walking him.  Adam Jones came up two batters later and hit a home run.  We were devastated.  How could David Robertson blow this for Jeter?  There was no way Girardi would pull Jeter out at this point, so Jeter wouldn't get his special moment like Mariano Rivera, but at least they still had the lead.

Unfortunately the next batter, Pearce, also hit a home run.  Devastating.  The game was tied.  And the Yankees haven't played well this season.  Pirella came up to bat first for the Yankees in the bottom of the 9th.  He got a hit and took first, but was quickly replaced by a pinch-runner, Richardson.  Gardner was up to bat next and he bunted Richardson to second.  Jeter then came up and the Stadium was going crazy.  If there was a roof on the stadium it probably would have come off.  On the first pitch, Jeter hit a classic Jeter hit to right field.  Richardson scored.  The game was over.  It's funny watching the video later because I swear it happened so slowly, but the video is so fast. Jeter ended his Yankees career on a classic hit to win the game.  Captain Clutch.  The stadium went crazy.  I started screaming and jumped into Eric's arms.  New York, New York started playing.  All the players on the field were hugging Derek Jeter. 

The big-screen cut to the top of the dugout where Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettite, and Jorge Posada were waiting for the last member of the Core 4 to join them in retirement.  Joe Torre and Bernie Williams were also there with several other former teammates.  Jeter saw them and went over and hugged all of them.  His family was also there and Jeter went and talked to them.

He then walked around the field, tipping his hat to the fans, and headed over to shortstop where he crouched down and took in the view from short one more time.  I don't know how to put this game into words.  It was honestly one of the greatest moments of my entire life.  It was the perfect ending - the kind you see in movies, but it actually happened.  In real life.  And I was there.  We went from devastation to incredible happiness so quickly.  It was incredible.



This guy made me a Yankees fan.

And I made this guy a Yankees fan.  The gift that keeps on giving.

After the game, everyone at the stadium kept chanting for him.  Derek Jeter did an on-field interview and then headed into the clubhouse where he did his press conference.  They broadcasted it on the big screen so we stayed in the stadium to watch it.  He's such a class act. He gave credit to the Orioles, said he was done playing Short although he may DH in Boston this weekend, and said he had been very emotional today.  It was amazing.  This was one of those moments that are big - bigger than sports, and bigger than baseball.  Pure Bliss.



My Scorecard from Derek Jeter's final home game

Derek Jeter - when fantasy becomes reality - Michael Kay after Jeter's final at-bat