I know this RE2PECT spot isn’t new, but it seemed fitting to bring it back the day after Derek Jeter played his last game—and at Fenway Park, of all places! The baseball Gods certainly do have a sense of irony.
The NY Times published a great piece on Jeter’s final games as a pro, and I particularly enjoyed this quote:
“He’s a guy you respect and you kind of want to idolize because everyone liked him … And he was a winner. He’s won a lot of games, won championships. That’s all you want to be recognized as in this sport: a winner.”
That this was said by a Boston Red Sox player—rookie third baseman Garin Cecchini, to be specific—tells you everything you need to know about Derek Jeter. For crying out loud, I’m a Mets fan, and even I’m sad that we won’t ever hear Bob Sheppard’s voice make this classic call in a live game again: “Now batting for the Yankees, number two, Derek Jeter, number two.”
Tip of the hat to you Mr. Jeter: You left the game better than you found it.