Every so often something special happens, something extraordinary. Most times it lasts for just a moment and if you are lucky enough, you may have had the opportunity to take part in it in some capacity, no matter how big or small. Sometimes though, what is special grows to extraordinary over time. What is so great about that is the opportunity to witness and be a part of this grows as well.
Over the past 20 years, something special turned into something extraordinary and is considered by many to be a legend. I am referring to no other than Derek Jeter. Baseball has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Whether it was watching games on t.v. with my father, watching him, my sister, or my brother play, or playing myself, the game took up the majority of my leisure time right up until I went to college. So needless to say, I love and appreciate the game. I know it and I know of the greats who have played over the years. Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams, Jackie Robinson... Their stories were great to listen to. For my generation, Derek Jeter is that person. He is that person that gave so many people the opportunity over the past 20 years to witness something legendary in the making.
Tonight will be the last time that Jeter puts on his pinstripes and steps on to Yankee Stadium. An era is ending. And you don't have to be a Yankee fan or even a die hard baseball fan to feel a bit sad, a bit sentimental about what that means. I considered attending this game. I am a baseball fan, I am a Yankee fan, and I am definitely a Derek Jeter fan. There will be a part of me that will wish that I did go to this game, especially since I live right here in New York City, but I decided not to.
Since I knew that the end was coming, I did take my son to his first Yankee game this past June. I bought him a Jeter jersey for his Pre-K graduation gift and took him to the game that night with my parents and John. It was a special night and I am happy that I can tell him that he saw Derek Jeter play. Over the years, I have seen him play many times myself and I settled for this past Sunday's game to be my last. Although not his very last game, it was still special. The crowd stood and cheered for him every time he was up to bat. It was loud and heartfelt and also sombre at the same time.
When you think about this in the big scheme of things, it is just baseball. It is just a game. But if you look and think a bit deeper, it is something a bit more. And even if you don't see that, isn't it just nice to find something positive and celebratory in life?.. something that so many people can take part in and share? For me, I have memories of traveling to Toronto, Baltimore, and even NYC before living here with Dale to see Yankee games. I was at Yankee Stadium exactly 1 month before my son was born, on Dale's birthday and watched them sweep the Red Sox. One of Dale's best memories was going to a World Series Game in 2001. Not only was it special because it was a World Series, but because 9/11 just happened and that added a whole different level of spirit and meaning to the game. I am happy to have these memories to share with my son, because they are happy and positive ones about his father. And I think that it is wonderful that John was a part of this too in that he was there to take my son to his first and only Derek Jeter game. So many memories :)... thank you Derek Jeter!
Over the past 20 years, something special turned into something extraordinary and is considered by many to be a legend. I am referring to no other than Derek Jeter. Baseball has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Whether it was watching games on t.v. with my father, watching him, my sister, or my brother play, or playing myself, the game took up the majority of my leisure time right up until I went to college. So needless to say, I love and appreciate the game. I know it and I know of the greats who have played over the years. Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams, Jackie Robinson... Their stories were great to listen to. For my generation, Derek Jeter is that person. He is that person that gave so many people the opportunity over the past 20 years to witness something legendary in the making.
Tonight will be the last time that Jeter puts on his pinstripes and steps on to Yankee Stadium. An era is ending. And you don't have to be a Yankee fan or even a die hard baseball fan to feel a bit sad, a bit sentimental about what that means. I considered attending this game. I am a baseball fan, I am a Yankee fan, and I am definitely a Derek Jeter fan. There will be a part of me that will wish that I did go to this game, especially since I live right here in New York City, but I decided not to.
Since I knew that the end was coming, I did take my son to his first Yankee game this past June. I bought him a Jeter jersey for his Pre-K graduation gift and took him to the game that night with my parents and John. It was a special night and I am happy that I can tell him that he saw Derek Jeter play. Over the years, I have seen him play many times myself and I settled for this past Sunday's game to be my last. Although not his very last game, it was still special. The crowd stood and cheered for him every time he was up to bat. It was loud and heartfelt and also sombre at the same time.
When you think about this in the big scheme of things, it is just baseball. It is just a game. But if you look and think a bit deeper, it is something a bit more. And even if you don't see that, isn't it just nice to find something positive and celebratory in life?.. something that so many people can take part in and share? For me, I have memories of traveling to Toronto, Baltimore, and even NYC before living here with Dale to see Yankee games. I was at Yankee Stadium exactly 1 month before my son was born, on Dale's birthday and watched them sweep the Red Sox. One of Dale's best memories was going to a World Series Game in 2001. Not only was it special because it was a World Series, but because 9/11 just happened and that added a whole different level of spirit and meaning to the game. I am happy to have these memories to share with my son, because they are happy and positive ones about his father. And I think that it is wonderful that John was a part of this too in that he was there to take my son to his first and only Derek Jeter game. So many memories :)... thank you Derek Jeter!
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