“New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter talks with film director Spike Lee before a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, September 28, 2014. It was Jeter’s last career Major League game. ““New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter smiles during batting practice before a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, September 28, 2014. It was Jeter’s last career Major League game.”“New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter sits in the dugout before being introduced during a pre-game ceremony before a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, September 28, 2014. It was Jeter’s last career Major League game.”“New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter runs onto the field during a pre-game ceremony honoring his last career Major League game before a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, September 28, 2014. ““New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter tips his cap as he is introduced during a pre-game ceremony honoring his last career Major League game before a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, September 28, 2014. ““Former Boston Bruins player Bobby Orr is introduced before greeting New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter’s during a pre-game ceremony honoring his last career Major League game before a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, September 28, 2014. ““Former Boston Celtics player Paul Pierce is introduced before greeting New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter’s during a pre-game ceremony honoring his last career Major League game before a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, September 28, 2014. ““Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz and shortstop Xander Bogaerts present New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter with a gift during a pre-game ceremony honoring his last career Major League game before a game at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, September 28, 2014. ““New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter lines up alongside teammates before a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, September 28, 2014. It was Jeter’s last career Major League game. ““New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter warms up as the Green Monster scoreboard reads ‘With Re2pect to Derek Jeter’ before a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, September 28, 2014. It was Jeter’s last career Major League game. ““New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter waits in the on deck circle during the first inning of a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, September 28, 2014. It was Jeter’s last career Major League game. ““New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter bats during the first inning of a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, September 28, 2014. It was Jeter’s last career Major League game. ““New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter beats out an infield single during the third inning of a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, September 28, 2014. It was Jeter’s last career Major League game and final career at bat.”“New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter shakes hands with Boston Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz after reaching first base in his final career at bat during the third inning of a game at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, September 28, 2014. It was Jeter’s last career Major League game.”“New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter salutes the crowd after his final career at bat during the third inning of a game at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, September 28, 2014. It was Jeter’s last career Major League game.”“New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter waves from the on deck circle during the first inning of a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts Saturday, September 27, 2014. It was his second to last career Major League game.”
After much fanfare and anticipation, Derek Jeter brought his historic Major League career to a close yesterday, playing his final game as a member of the New York Yankees against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. I’ve been lucky to witness some pretty special moments and ceremonies here in Boston, and this certainly ranks right up there with all of them.
Jeter is one of those figures in sports that are larger than life, alongside the Roger Federers, Tiger Woods, and Michael Jordans of the world. If not always statistically, than with presence and aura alone. I’ll never forget the moment I saw Jeter up close in the dugout for the first time as an intern for the Baltimore Orioles back in 2009, and what’s more, ever since I began watching baseball as a boy, Derek Jeter has been there. What he’s done is truly impressive.
Here are a selection of images from his final weekend.
And just like that, the 2014 regular season is over, bringing to a close my fifth complete season working in Major League Baseball. It’s funny how things can change so quickly. Last year we won the World Series. This year we finished last in the American League East division by 25 games. Needless to say, things were a bit different around here.
But every season is memorable, and there were some great moments and events this year at the park. As a staff, we were able to get some incredible images, and we’re continuing to push the world of multimedia and video to places it hasn’t been before.
After a World Series run followed by all the proceeding festivities followed by another busy season, it’s almost time for a break. Almost! Until then, I’ve got more to come from a place they call “Birdland.”
