Clay Buchholz wanted to be the last pitcher Derek Jeter ever faced.
Wish granted.
Buchholz, who started Sunday’s season finale against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park, suffered the loss as the Boston Red Sox fell 9-5. The right-hander will forever cherish the 151st outing of his major league career, though, because it featured a very special moment with Jeter.
Jeter reached on an RBI infield single in his final at-bat in the third inning. While exiting the field, Jeter, who also saluted the entire Red Sox dugout, ran over to Buchholz. The two shook hands and engaged in a brief conversation.
Buchholz said after the game Jeter wished him good health and good luck in the rest of his career.
Jeter said he took the moment to to offer his well-wishes because Buchholz had been warming up when the rest of the Red Sox players went out to greet the Yankees captain during the pregame ceremony.
“When I ran past him, I said, ‘I know this is kind of odd, but I just wanted to say I enjoyed competing against you over the years,’ and good luck to him,” Jeter said. “… I just took a brief moment to tell him that.”
