The New York Yankees continue to honor Derek Jeter as his final season winds down to its last couple weeks. As they do so, an odd trend is emerging.
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It seems that the Yankees continue to commemorate Jeter’s career in ways typically reserved for players who are actually retired. It creates an odd tone where they talk about Jeter like his career is over, but then he takes the field and bats second in the game itself.
That is the case with the Jeter patches that will be added to the team’s jerseys and caps for the remainder of the season, and it will certainly be the case with “Derek Jeter Day” at Yankee Stadium on Sunday.
The ceremony on Sunday to honor Jeter will include any number of moments and tributes. It sounds like Jeter himself doesn’t really know what to expect and doesn’t particularly care, either. From MLB.com:
"“For me as a player, it’s still odd because I’m trying not to think about that the end is getting closer. But constantly being reminded of it and asked about it, you can’t help but think about it a little bit…“I think you just let it happen, but I don’t know. I’m really trying not to think about it, because right now I’m trying to get ready for this game today.”"
It is a big game for the Yankees, as they have to play out of their minds to have any hopes of overtaking one of the current leaders and reaching the playoffs. It is for that reason, among others, that John Harper of the New York Daily News thinks that this whole “Derek Jeter Day” thing is silly:
"“For one thing, the timing of the Jeter celebration, with three weeks remaining in the season, feels as if it has been manipulated to cash in on Jeter’s legacy — much as the Yankees are with the rather unseemly patches on the uniforms and the hats.”"
It is worth remembering that a day like this is ultimately for the fans, giving them a chance to appreciate a player who has meant so much to them. It is also worth remembering, however, that the Yankees could just as easily have held “Derek Jeter Day” for their fans next season after the shortstop is retired.
Stay tuned to FanSided for all of the latest news and analysis on the New York Yankees and the MLB season with the postseason just around the corner.