Yankees, Fans Pay Tribute To Derek Jeter
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Derek Jeter remained as cool and collected as his play at shortstop when the New York Yankees honored their retiring captain with a 45-minute ceremony that included appearances by NBA great Michael Jordan and baseball ironman Cal Ripken Jr.
Jeter spoke to fans for about three minutes before Sunday's game against Kansas City. The Yankees didn't retire his No. 2 or unveil a plaque in Monument Park, no doubt setting up a Derek Jeter Day 2 at some future time. New York took a similar approach a half-century ago, holding a Mickey Mantle Day in September 1965 before his 2,000th game, then retiring his No. 7 in June 1969 after his playing days.
PHOTOS: Derek Jeter Day
Jeter announced in February his 20th major league season would be his last.
Speaking in front of the pitcher's mound at Yankee Stadium, he told fans, "I want to thank you for helping me feel like a kid the last 20 years."
Yankees, Fans Pay Tribute To Derek Jeter
The future Hall of Famer thanked the Steinbrenner family for allowing him to play his entire career with the organization.
"In my opinion, I've had the greatest job in the world," he said. "I got a chance to be the shortstop for the New York Yankees, and there's only one of those."
As CBS 2's Hazel Sanchez reported, fans are sad to see Jeter retire, but were grateful for the memories that he will leave behind.
"I cried. I'm not gonna lie, I cried," Kelly Deronda said.
Yankees, Fans Pay Tribute To Derek Jeter
"I'm ecstatic to be here," Mike O'Hearn, of Barnegat, New Jersey, told WCBS 880's Peter Haskell before the game.
"He's the best player there is out there," O'Hearn continued. "He's not on steroids. I mean, you can't get a better person than him."
Fan Raul Rodriguez told 1010 WINS' Juliet Papa he expected the festivities to be emotional.
"It is," he said. "I've pretty much been watching him since he came up in '95, and it's been amazing."
The Yankee Stadium field was decked out with an emblem honoring Jeter -- a blue and white circle with Jeter's No. 2 and the words "The Captain" on it. Yankees players are also wearing the logo on their uniforms.
"He's the poster child for baseball as far as I'm concerned," one fan said. "Never done anything wrong. Outstanding citizen. Great baseball player. True Yankee."
You May Also Be Interested In These Stories
(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
