NEW YORK YANKEES shortstop Derek Jeter celebrates after hitting the game-winning single against the Baltimore Orioles in the ninth inning of a baseball game on Thursday in New York. The Yankees won, 6-5.
The end of an era.
The perfect script.
Derek Jeter capped his Yankee Stadium farewell with a game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth inning, the latest — and perhaps last — storybook moment of his charmed and illustrious career, to give New York a 6-5 victory Thursday night over the Baltimore Orioles.
Serenaded with adoring chants that echoed through the Bronx night, Jeter tipped his cap several times and drove in three runs. He launched an early RBI double off the left-center wall and saved the best for last, a sharp, opposite-field single to right that knocked in the winner.
“It was above and beyond anything that I’ve ever dreamt of,” Jeter said. “This was a lot of fun.”
After the raucous celebration that followed, Jeter said he’s played his final game at shortstop. He said he’ll be the designated hitter at some point this weekend in Boston, “out of respect for the Red Sox, their fans and the rivalry.”
“I want to take something special from Yankee Stadium and the view from shortstop here tonight is what I want to take home,” he said. “I’ve only played shortstop throughout my entire career and the last time I want to play was tonight.”
It appeared Jeter’s tiebreaking grounder in the seventh would be the swing that sent the Yankees to a win when they built a 5-2 cushion against the AL East champions.
Not bad — but not Jeter.
Nope, he’s always had a flair for the most electrifying kind of drama, and this night was destined to be no different.
As if it was planned all along, closer David Robertson (4-5) gave up a two-run homer in the top of the ninth to Adam Jones and a tying shot to Steve Pearce with two outs.
That only set the stage for Jeter one more time.
“It’s like a movie,” teammate Chase Headley said. “You look up there and you see who’s hitting third and you’re like, really? This can’t happen, can it? You’re surprised but you’re not surprised.”
Jose Pirela hit a leadoff single against Evan Meek (0-4) in the bottom of the ninth before Brett Gardner sacrificed. Jeter lined the next pitch through a huge hole on the right side, and pinch-runner Antoan Richardson slid home ahead of Nick Markakis’ throw.
An elated Jeter jumped and raised both arms between first and second. Yankees players rushed out to engulf him as former teammates such as Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera, Bernie Williams, Andy Pettitte, Tino Martinez and Hall of Fame manager Joe Torre lined up near the New York dugout waiting to greet the retiring captain.
“Sort of an out-of-body experience,” Jeter said.
He went back out to shortstop, crouched down at the edge of the outfield grass and bounced on his toes a couple of times before rejoining the group.
Jeter tipped his cap again and was doused over the head with a sports drink by Gardner and CC Sabathia.
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