End of an Era in the Big Apple: Farewell 2 the Captain

By Neil A. Carousso

New York, NY — Three days before his final home game in the Bronx, Derek Jeter met some fans and answered questions at Steiner Sports’ “Farewell to the Captain” event at the Historic Hudson Theatre at the Millennium Hotel in Midtown.

Former Yankees players like Hideki Matsui, Chris Chambliss and Bucky Dent were in attendance. They came to recognize the man, who anchored the Yanks’ locker room for 20 years. “Just his overall career,” Dent, who played shortstop for the Yankees from 1977-1982, said regarding his admiration for Jeter, adding, “The way he carried himself on and off the field, a true professional, a guy that did it the right way throughout his career and a guy who goes down as one of the great Yankee players.”

Jeter was a bit emotional and clearly grateful for his opportunities. “Winning is the most special, but I have a lot of personal moments, too,” Jeter said. Continuing, “Now pretty much every time I take the field is a special moment. The fans are the ones that make it special.”

Jeter’s final game in the Bronx was a storybook ending to Jeter’s illustrious career. With seemingly no moment too big for Jeter, he hit a walk-off single to give the Yanks the 6-5 victory over their division rival Baltimore Orioles. Number 2 finished his career in the last regular season series against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park as designated hitter.