New York Yankees News & Schedule: Derek Jeter's Last Home Game Against Baltimore Orioles on Thursday
One the greatest athletes of the 21st century is set to play his last career home game.
Derek Jeter and the New York Yankees face the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday night at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx in what will be Jeter's last home game ever before he retires at the end of the season.
Jeter has played 2,744 career regular season games dating back to 1995, and all have been in pinstripes.
Since becoming a Yankee, Jeter has led the team to five World Series titles and 17 postseason appearances. Jeter and the Yankees made the playoffs every year from 1995-2007. His performance in the 2000 World Series against the New York Mets earned him MVP honors. In that World Series, Jeter recorded a hit in every single game and a home run in the final two games.
In his playoff career, Jeter batted an impressive .308 at the plate and recorded 200 hits in 158 games.
Despite playing on the greatest franchise in sports history (27 World Series) with Hall of Fame notables such as Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, Jeter is still regarded as one of the best ever. Jeter has the most hits in Yankees franchise history and is the all-time hitter among shortstops.
Aside from being a great hitter, Jeter has been a talented shortstop.
Jeter has a career fielding percentage of 97.6 percent. Some of the greatest moments of Jeter's most memorable career came in the field. In 2004, Jeter gave baseball fans one of the best moments of the 21st century. With the score tied 1-1 against American League division rival Boston Red Sox in the 12th inning, Jeter dove into the stands to get the out. The Yankees captain has won five Golden Glove Awards.
In the 2001 American League Division Series against the Oakland Athletics, Jeter showed off his athleticism and knowledge. It looked as if Jeremy Giambi would score for sure, but Jeter cut off the outfield throw and flipped the ball home for the out on a backhand pass. This is forever known as the "flip play."
Although the Yankees didn't make the playoffs this season, Jeter provided fans with many moments. One of the most underrated things about Jeter is that he was never ejected from a single game in his career. Jeter has never been the most flamboyant character, and he always gives back to the community.
The last home game for Jeter and the Yankees will be played at 7:05 p.m. EST Thursday against the Orioles, which can be seen on the YES and MLB networks. After that, the Yankees face the Red Sox in a three-game road series in Beantown. Every baseball fan is waiting anxiously to see what happens in the final home game and final at bat of Jeter's Hall of Fame career.
Yankees fans everywhere are just thankful knowing that they got the privilege of watching one of the best players of all time. There's no doubt that New York City subway will be flooded with baseball fans who want to see Jeter's last game.
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