I’m not going to lie, Derek Jeter was never my favorite member of the Core Four Five. I certainly appreciate his greatness and status as an all-time great player and Yankee, but I was always partial to Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera. That’s just me. Posada and Rivera (and Andy Pettitte) had their days the last few years. Today is Jeter’s day.
It was never a question of “if” the Yankees would retire Jeter’s number, of course. It was only a matter of “when.” Jeter is the greatest Yankee of my lifetime and he’s on the short list of the best shortstops in baseball history. He’s sixth all-time in hits. That blows my damn mind. Pete Rose, Ty Cobb, Hank Aaron, Stan Musial, Tris Speaker. The only players in the history of the universe with more MLB hits than Jeter. Amazing.
A who’s who of Yankees greats are expected to be in the ballpark for tonight’s Jeter ceremony. Here’s the full roster of attendees. The Yankees say the ceremony itself will begin at 6:40pm ET, and I do believe you’ll be able to watch it on both YES and ESPN. Definitely on YES. I know that much. I’m pretty sure I remember reading somewhere that ESPN will carry it too. Should be fun.
After the ceremony, the Yankees will wrap-up their four-game series with the Astros with the second game of today’s doubleheader. The Yankees won the first game this afternoon. I haven’t seen the Astros’ lineup anywhere, but here are the players the Yankees will run out there tonight:
- LF Brett Gardner
- C Gary Sanchez
- DH Matt Holliday
- 2B Starlin Castro
- RF Aaron Judge
- SS Didi Gregorius
- CF Aaron Hicks
- 1B Chris Carter
- 3B Ronald Torreyes
RHP Masahiro Tanaka
The Yankees and Astros played through some showers this afternoon and they might have to do the same again tonight. Looks like the rain is far enough away that it won’t interfere with the Jeter ceremony though. Also, it shouldn’t be enough to delay or postpone the game or anything. First pitch is scheduled for 7:38pm ET, though who knows. The ceremony may run long. Either way, enjoy the ceremony and the game.