O Captain! My Captain! How we’ll miss thee.
Derek Jeter made his last home game count before retiring as he got the game-winning hit for the New York Yankees in the ninth inning against the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday, Sept. 25. The 20-year baseball veteran was honored with a painting and watch by his teammates prior to the 6-5 win, and admitted that it was difficult hiding his emotions throughout the bittersweet Bronx match.
Jeter choked back tears as he acknowledged his former Yankees manager Joe Torre — calling him a second father — and thanked the fans during an interview with the YES Network following the game. He took a lap around the bases by himself waving to the 40,000 plus people in the crowd and stopped to squat down and pray at shortstop.
“I don’t know how I played this game. I went up the first time and forgot my elbow guard. I was throwing balls away. I was giving signs when no one was on base. I was all messed up,” Jeter, 40, told YES on the field. “These last few weeks have gotten tougher and tougher. But it’s been all worthwhile. This was a lot of fun.”
The No. 2 shortstop then embraced his father Sanderson, mother Dorothy, sister Sharlee, his 2-year-old nephew Jalen, and model girlfriend Hannah Davis. Moments earlier, Jalen sweetly tipped his Yankees cap in honor of his famous uncle.
Read how some celebrities paid their re2pects to the Hall of Fame athlete below:
JETER. No words for that… #RE2PECT
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) September 26, 2014
How about that!!!!!!!!!!
— Billy Crystal (@BillyCrystal) September 26, 2014
Dear Derek Jeter, Thank you for being one of the good guys. You will be missed. Your legacy will live on. With respect and gratitude, Alyssa
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) September 26, 2014
And…scene. Congrats #DerekJeter
— Josh Charles (@MrJoshCharles) September 26, 2014
Weird when you really think about it. Derek Jeter’s life is just beginning #RE2PECT
— Kevin Connolly (@mrkevinconnolly) September 26, 2014
In a world where heroes are getting harder and harder to find, remember Derek Jeter for becoming one for the ages. #DerekJeter
— Jeff Daniels (@Jeff_Daniels) September 26, 2014
Happy Jeter makes me feel young. Happy Jeter hangs above Jax’s crib. I’m his dad but I’d be okay if Derek was. Both have beautiful blue eyes
— Tom Arnold (@TomArnold) September 26, 2014
OK that was an amazing moment to watch Derek Jeter..way to wrap up an incredible career #re2pect
— Jenna Dewan Tatum (@jennaldewan) September 26, 2014
