Jeter's Big Night: What They Are Saying

Teammate Brett Gardner:


 Teammate CC Sabathia:
 

 YES Network announcer Michael Kay when Jeter delivered in the 9th:

"Derek Jeter; turning fantasy into reality."

You could hear Tino Martinez yell, "That was awesome!" to his former teammate and fellow Florida snowbird. Charles Jeter told his "I'm proud of you."

Former teammate Paul O'Neill:

One of the coolest endings ever... Wouldn't expect anything else from Jete
— Paul O'Neill (@PaulONeillYES) September 26, 2014

Yankees announcer Ken Singleton:

LOOKOUT ! I'm heading home season over. ( too quickly ) Thank you fans 4 watching YES. See you next spring. Thanks to The Captain a classic.
— Ken Singleton (@29alltime) September 26, 2014

Tigers pitcher David Price, who gave up hit #3000 to Jeter when Price was on the Rays.

Shocker! #thecaptain does it like he always does!! That's what I envisioned 3000 to be like! Not 37 rows deep to left center!! #welldonejeet
— David Price (@DAVIDprice14) September 26, 2014

Price's teammate Justin Verlander:

Incredible!!! Did anyone expect anything less. #storybook #RE2PECT #FairWellCaptain
— Justin Verlander (@JustinVerlander) September 26, 2014

Hall of Fame Wide Receive Chris Carter

Derek Jeter #MyHero
— Cris Carter (@criscarter80) September 26, 2014

Former Braves 3rd baseman Chipper Jones:

Much respect #2! Sad to see u go. U deserved everything u got. Proud of ur career, even prouder to call u a friend! Now let's go golfing!!
— Chipper Jones (@RealCJ10) September 26, 2014

Former teammate and YES Network announcer John Flaherty:

Richardson scored the game winning run on the Jeter hit! How about the story he can tell for the rest of his life!!
— John Flaherty (@flash17yes) September 26, 2014

Twins infielder Brian Dozier:

Amazing finish in New York for a guy that taught me how to play the game the right way without him even knowing.. Thank you Derek #2
— Brian Dozier (@BrianDozier) September 26, 2014

YES Network's Jack Curry:

Incredible finish by Jeter. Did a lot of Jeter-esque things. Swung at 1st pitch. Singled to RF. Helped win a game. Celebrated like gentleman
— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) September 26, 2014

More from Jack on the YES website.

Under The Glare Of The Spotlight Jeter Still Has Ice Water In His Veins

Last night's game 2014 Yankee Stadium finale between the Baltimore Orioles and the Yankees will be like Woodstock. Everyone will claim they were there due to the incredible start, middle, and especially the ending of Derek Jeter's career in pinstripes.

With the fans on pins and needles waiting to see if Jeter would exit the 9th inning early to a standing ovation, closer David Robertson gave up a pair of home runs to blow a 3-run lead. Tied 5-5 in the bottom of the 9th, Robertson was quickly forgiven by the fans. The tie meant that Jeter would get at least one more at-bat in his home away from home, and what an at-bat it was.

John Sterling's call of Jeter's game winner: 

Jose Pirela, who has played 2,741 less games than Jeter, started off the bottom of the 9th with a single through the left side of the infield. Brett Gardner bunted to move the winning run into scoring position and set a showdown between Evan Meek, who was making his 23rd big league appearance, and Jeter. Would Buck Showalter walk Jeter to set up the double play? Just as Jeter plays until the final out or winning run, Showalter manages in the same manner.

When Orioles' catcher Caleb Joseph got into his normal squat behind home plate, you knew the 46,000-plus in attendance and anyone watching or listening on the TV or radio were relieved. And Jeter didn't wait long to let Showalter change his mind. In a very "Jeterian" moment, the Yankees' shortstop jumped on Meek's first pitch, and drilled it through the right side, just like he has done thousands of times before. Right fielder Nick Markakis has a cannon for an arm, but his throw was late as speedy pinch-runner Antoan Richardson slid across home plate with the winning run. Jeter raised his arms in exaltation and jumped in the air as he saw Richardson. (Incredibly, it was the Captain's first walk off winner in seven years).

Jeter's teammates quickly flooded the field and lifted him off the ground. And the smiles and tears flowed, Jeter included. He greeted all of his current teammates, manager, and coaches, his former teammates Andy Pettitte, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, Bernie Williams, Tino Martinez, and Gerald Williams, and his former manager Joe Torre. His parents, sister, nephew, and girlfriend all got hugs and kisses. And as the YesNetwork's Meredith Marakovits interviewed him on the field, he even allowed CC Sabathia and Gardner to give him a Gatorade shower.

The way the game ended left everyone mumbling, "did I just see that". Yes you did. Sadly, for the last time.

Jeter To Retire After 2014 Season

Yankees fans are still reeling from the retirements after least season of five time World Series champions Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte. Now comes word that Derek Jeter will join them on the sidelines after this coming season. The Yankees' captain made the announcement on his Facebook page with a a lengthy letter.

I hightly doubt there will be a good-bye tour like Rivera's, but I'm sure Jeter will get big receptions and some gifts when the Yankees play on the road this season. Perhaps there will be a retirement ceremony at Yankee Stadium on the final day of the regular season, though I personally think Jeter would hate to do it, unless Rivera's day had a big influence on him.

Appreciate the 2014 season for it truly is the end of an era.

Jeter Back For 2014 With a Bonus

Derek Jeter had an $9.5MM option to play next season, but the Yankees and Jeter's agent Casey Close agreed  to a new one year deal worth $12MM for the 2014 season.  No word if the $9MM worth of incentives that were in the original option (Gold Glove, Silver Slugger, LCS MVP, WS MVP or top 6 in AL MVP) are included the new deal.

The new deal will also add to the calculation of the $189MM luxury tax level for the 2014 season. It was originally reported that the deal had the advantage over Jeter's player option, because it would reduce the amount by $2MM.

Jeter played in just 17 games in the 2013 season after he still felt the effects of the broken ankle he suffered during the 2012 post-season. The 19-year veteran also broke the ankle in another spot during spring training and was plagued by an injured quad when he returned from the disabled list in July.

With the retirements of Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte, the Yankees captain is the lone holdover from the teams that won four titles between 1996 and 2000.

Update: 4:20 PM EDT.

Jorge: Hip Hip Mo

Jorge Posada caught Mariano Rivera longer than any other catcher in the Yankees organization. Here's what he had to say about his long-time teammate's retirement announcement.

“There is only one Mariano Rivera. There won’t be another person who will come along and do what he did. No one does it like him. It was an honor to catch him and play alongside him for as long as I did. He made my job as a catcher so much easier. Mariano is a special person and obviously a special player.

“I’m so happy he is going out on his terms. Now every time he steps into a ballpark this year, teams and fans can celebrate and appreciate what he has meant to this great game we play.”