August 21, 2014 – One of the three features that I wrote for the September Issue of Yankees Magazine is on Derek Jeter’s final All-Star Game, which took place on July 15 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
I arrived in the Twin Cities a few days before the Midsummer Classic and covered the American and National League media sessions at a downtown hotel.
From the minute the first availability began, it was clear that this was Derek Jeter’s All-Star Game.
Jeter was joined by his American League All-Star teammates in a ballroom. The star-studded lineup included the two-time reigning American League MVP Miguel Cabrera, 2010 American League Cy Young Award winner Felix Hernandez, Angels phenom Mike Trout and Toronto Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista.
But as if Jeter were the only guy in the room, nearly the entire contingent of media flocked to his table.
As he fielded question after question, Jeter shared his favorite All-Star Game memory, which took place in 1999.
“During batting practice, I got a tap on my shoulder,” Jeter said. “It was Hank Aaron. He told me that he had been looking for me because he wanted to meet me. I looked at him and said, ‘You wanted to meet me?’ That was a great honor, and it was one of the best moments I’ve had on a baseball field.”
A few hours after the media sessions, the All-Stars arrived at Target Field for a workout, and Colorado Rockies star Troy Tulowitzki had a similar experience to the one Jeter had all those years before.
Before 29-year-old shortstop stepped into the batting cage, he got a tap on the shoulder. It was Jeter.
“I just want to congratulate you on a great first half, bro,” Jeter said. “You’re really doing a great job.”
I caught up with Tulowitzki afterward.
“It’s something that I will always remember,” Tulowitzki said. “When I was growing up, I had a poster of Derek in my room. Anytime someone who you’ve admired since you were a young child wants to talk to you and pays you a compliment, it gives you chills.
The Midsummer Classic proved to be as much of a celebration of Jeter as a baseball game, and in my story, I detail each of the emotional ovations that the captain received.
And, before his exit from the game, Jeter made a significant impact on the American League’s victory, going 2-for-2 with a double, a single and a run scored.
“I can still play,” Jeter said after the game. “I’m not retiring because I can’t play anymore. It’s just time to move on.”
–Alfred Santasiere III
