Derek Jeter, after 20 long and successful seasons as the starting shortstop for the New York Yankees, finally hung up his spikes on Sunday, September 28.
And because of that the baseball world, not just Yankees fans but the entire community, shed a tear.
For the past 20 years Jeter represented everything that is (and was) great about the sport of baseball, from his clean-cut look to his professional yet approachable personality.
His playing style, too, was baseball perfect.
No matter what the situation was, tied 5-5 in the ninth, down by three in the fifth or up by seven in the eighth, Jeter's effort was never different.
He always gave 100% on every play, every pitch.
Quite simply, Derek Jeter never gave up, which is exacly what made him so respected.
It was his effort alone that was enough for baseball fans worldwide to completely respect the man, no matter what his off field personality was like.
But the off the field Jeter was every bit as amazing as the baseball player.
Jeter always took the time to sign an autograph, shake a hand or simply say hello to fans, Yankee and otherwise.
For the last 20 years Derek Jeter was the face of the Evil Empire, yet fans all over the world, including Boston, respected him.
And if you don't believe that then just watch the final at-bat in his illustrious 20 year MLB career.
Because his last at-bat took place in enemy territory, the home of the Boston Red Sox, Fenway Park.
But find the video, play it and close your eyes.
You'll swear the Yankees are playing a home game, with the level of sound from the cheering and "Der-rek Jee-ter!" chants.
Open them and you'll see the Green Monster and Pesky's Pole.
At that moment you'll also realize just how special Derek Jeter was as a baseball player.
Because after 20 years of hating Jeter as a player, the Boston faithful chose to cheer and chant for him in his final at-bat instead of the usual heckling.
Throughout his career Jeter was classified as a five tool player, someone who can hit both for average and power, run, throw and field. But in reality he was so much more.
He was baseball.
Derek Jeter will be missed by the entire baseball community, young, old, Yankee fan, non Yankee fan. Everyone.
As a person who never liked Jeter for his entire career, I can still say with complete honesty: Thank you Derek Jeter. We'll miss you.
(For some more thoughts on Derek Jeter please turn to Page A16 where myself, Thom Barker and Calvin Daniels share our opinions on Jeter in this edition of 'Cheap Seats')
