“Now batting, the shortstop, number two, Derek Jeter, number two.”
Bob Sheppard may not be alive anymore, but his voice lives on every time Derek Jeter steps up to bat for the New York Yankees. Today, May 7th 2014 will be the last time Orange County baseball fans will be able to hear those words at Angels Stadium.
After 20 years, Derek Jeter will be saying goodbye to the only franchise he has ever known. Soon sports writers across the world can add his name to former Yankee greats such as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe Dimaggio, and countless others. With 13 American League All-Star appearances, 5 Gold Gloves, 5 Silver Sluggers, 2 Hank Aaron Awards, a Roberto Clemente award, and 13 top ten finishes in American League MVP voting, we say goodbye today to one of the best baseball players to grace the field. Not to mention he is also a five-time World Series Champion.
There have been 14 captains in New York Yankee history. Yet only one man, Derek Jeter, can officially be recognized as “The Captain.” In an era highlighted by steroid use, Derek Jeter highlights the face of players who didn’t fall into the temptation. As an ambassador of Major League Baseball, Derek Jeter has stayed true to the game, choosing to be recognized as not only one of the best shortstops in baseball history, but also one of the best teammates.
Derek Jeter is not just a baseball player. He has numerous charity contributions, most notably his own charity, the Turn 2 Foundation. The Turn 2 Foundation is an organization dedicated to motivating youth to turn to a healthy lifestyle rather than drugs and alcohol.
Today you have the chance to watch a living legend one last time. The Angels will be holding a dedication ceremony before today’s game, celebrating the extraordinary career of “The Captain.” With tickets still available this is not only a regular baseball game, but also a historical day in all of sports.