Derek Jeter on road cheers in final season: 'It’s been overwhelming'
With the end of his career approaching, Derek Jeter says he doesn't have any regrets in choosing to make this his last season and is looking forward to life as a retired baseball player, according to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch.
However, Jeter remains focused on trying to get the Yankees, who sit four games out of the second AL Wild Card, to the playoffs.
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“I want to win. That’s it. It doesn’t get any more complicated from that,” he said Friday.
The shortstop said the best memories of his final season so far have been the cheers he's received in opposing stadiums -- even from fans that booed him for years.
“That’s been awesome. It’s been overwhelming for me,” Jeter said. “It’s not something that I expected. The way the fans have treated me everywhere I’ve gone has been above and beyond my wildest dreams."
Derek Jeter cheers in Tampa irk Rays' Joe Maddon
Jeter has been on a farewell tour around the league, receiving a gift from teams whenever he plays his final series in a road stadium.
The 40-year-old is hitting .269 with three home runs and 32 RBI in his final season, and recently passed Honus Wagner for sixth on the all-time hits list.
Derek Jeter's Farewell Tour Gifts
A "RE2PECT" metal placard from the Green Monster autographed by the Red Sox, second base emblazoned with his No. 2 and pinstripes, and a pair of Yankees-themed boots
from the Boston Red Sox on Sept. 16
A kayak and framed Don Zimmer jersey
from the Tampa Bay Rays on Sept. 16
A bucket of Maryland crabs, naval captain's hat, oversized mallet and cake
from the Baltimore Orioles on Sept. 14
An inscribed crystal with a ''2'' logo, framed patches from his 14 All-Star appearances, a 10-day trip to Tuscany, and a massage machine
from the New York Yankees on Sept. 7
A three-night luxury trip to Banff, Alberta, complete with a helicopter tour of the Rocky Mountains and Jeter's choice of golf or ski lessons
from the Toronto Blue Jays on Aug. 31
Two seats from Tiger Stadium and three portraits
from the Detroit Tigers on Aug. 27
Cowboy boots and a framed signed picture with former President George W. Bush from 2001
from the Texas Rangers on July 30
Framed jerseys autographed by the Reds' two shortstop captains (Dave Concepcion and Barry Larkin) and photos taken June 3, 2003, the day he was name the 11th Yankees captain while in Cincinnati
from the Cincinnati Reds on July 19
Lego mosaic of Jeter's first career home run on Opening Day 1996 in Cleveland and an electric guitar
from the Cleveland Indians on July 10
Second-base bag from the final game at the Metrodome, the 2009 ALDS which Jeter's Yankees won 4-1
from the Minnesota Twins on July 5
Customized bottle of 2009 Abreu Madrona Ranch Cabernet and a resort stay in Napa Valley
from the Oakland Athletics on June 15
Seat from the Kingdome, a base and an engraved watch
from the Seattle Mariners on June 10
Stan Musial cuff links
from the St. Louis Cardinals on May 26
Baseball-themed bench and a glass encased mounting of shortstop dirt
from the Chicago White Sox on May 25
No. 2 from the Wrigley Field scoreboard
from the Chicago Cubs on May 20
No. 2 subway tile mosaic, cake and painting
from the New York Mets on May 15
Gold-plated bat
from the Milwaukee Brewers on May 11
12-foot long paddleboard
from the Los Angeles Angels on May 7
Cowboy boots, a 10 gallon cowboy hat and set of golf clubs
from the Houston Astros on April 2
- Molly Geary