Tonight was Derek Jeter’s last game in Yankee Stadium after 20 years as a New York Yankee. His career there could not have ended any better.
The emotional game started with the O’s quieting the energized New York crowd, with back to back homers by Nick Markakis and Steve Pearce. It didn’t take long for Jeter to get involved though. Jeter delivered a near homer, but it was an RBI double that set off Yankee Stadium. Throughout the game, chants of De-rek Je-ter echoed through the stadium. Jeter, for possibly the first time ever, showed emotion all game long. He held back tears as Yankee fans serenaded him. The most amazing part of tonight though, was the ending.
The Orioles trailed 5-2 in the 9th, but the O’s got home runs from Adam Jones and Steve Pearce to tie the game at 5. It took the moment from Jeter for a little bit, but everyone knew Jeter would get the special moment. After a lead-off single and a sacrifice bunt, Derek Jeter came up with a chance to win the game. Buck Showalter could have possibly walked Jeter, but he let him have his moment. On the first pitch, Jeter got his signature inside out hit to right field, bringing the winning run home, and sending Yankee Stadium into a frenzy.
It was a truly special night in the Bronx, and even though it hurts the Orioles chances for home field throughout the playoffs, it was a perfect ending, to a perfect career. #RE2PECT
Wow nice work and yes, it was a storybook ending!