Derek Jeter is writing a storybook ending to his Hall of Fame career.
Jeter took the field at Yankee Stadium for the final time Thursday night against the Baltimore Orioles, and boy, did he make it count.
With the game tied at 5 and a runner on second base in the bottom of the ninth inning, Jeter stepped into the batter’s box and stroked an RBI single into right field off Baltimore reliever Evan Meek to give New York a 6-5 win.
Jeter was instantly mobbed by his teammates before taking a walk around the field one last time to acknowledge the Yankee faithful, which showered him in thunderous applause.
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That the Yankee captain was even in a position to deliver such a perfect moment is incredible in itself. New York took a comfortable 5-2 lead into the ninth inning — thanks in part to an RBI double by Jeter in the first inning — but reliever David Robertson allowed a two-run homer to Adam Jones and a solo shot to Steve Pearce to tie the score at 5.
Jose Pirela led off the ninth with a single for New York and was replaced by pinch runner Antoan Richardson. Brett Gardner laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Richardson to second, and Jeter did the rest.
Jeter finished his last game in home pinstripes 2-for-5 with three RBIs and one run scored.
Thumbnail photo via Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports Images
