The New York Yankees honored team captain Derek Jeter in a special ceremony at the Yankee Stadium in New York on Sunday.

The Yankees expressed gratitude to Jeter, who is playing in his final season, bringing former teammates and his family at the stadium along with National Basketball Association (NBA) Hall of Famer and former Chicago Bull great Michael Jordan.

Fighting back tears, Jeter, who spent his entire 20-year career with the Yankees, thanked all the well-known personalities who took time out of their busy schedule to attend, but the 40-year-old stressed in his speech that the New York Yankee fans are the reasons why he enjoyed tremendous success.

"I want to thank you, the fans," Jeter said via ESPN NY. "Anyone who is here today, anyone who is at home watching, anyone who has ever been over the course, over the last 20 seasons, thank you very much. You guys have watched me grow up over the last 20 years. I've watched you, too. Some of you guys are getting older, too."

Jordan, who personally picked Jeter to become a part of Jordan Brand 15 years ago, also expressed admiration for Jeter, saying that the Yankees superstar is one of his idols.

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Jordan, who first met Jeter when the former Chicago Bulls superstar attempted to play professional baseball in 1994, said that the Pequannock Township, New Jersey native is one of the most respected players in the league because of the way he handled his career on and off the field.

"The thing I like about Derek, you see all the competitors and all his teammates, and I don't think anybody can say one thing bad about Derek," Jordan said via NY Post. "He's an idol to me, how he's well respected in the game. He carries himself like every baseball player or professional athlete should."

Mariano Rivera, Joe Torre, Hideki Matsui, David Cone, Bernie Williams, Paul O'Neill, Jorge Posada, Gerald Williams and incoming commissioner Rob Manfred were also present in the ceremony.

The Yankees will wear commemorative patches bearing Jeter's number on their uniforms and hats for the rest of the seasons, while a 30-foot banner was also unveiled at the Yankee Stadium.

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