Amid the Bustle, Derek Jeter Has a Quiet Day at the Plate
On the wall to the right of Derek Jeter's locker is a poster of the Yankees ' 2014 schedule. No days are crossed off. None are circled. He prefers not to keep track, to stay focused. But he is surrounded by reminders that his career is running out.
He glances at the schedule on the wall. He sees the signs in the stands. Fans tell him how they flocked here to see him play just one last time. The ceremonies are getting bigger, more emotional. Sunday will be Derek Jeter Day at Yankee Stadium.
'For me as a player, it's still odd,' he said. 'I'm trying not to think about that, ah, the end is getting closer. But I'm constantly getting reminded of it, asked about it.
'I can't help but think about it.'
As another reminder of his impending retirement, Jeter did not take his usual spot at shortstop on Saturday. He was the designated hitter, which is essentially a half-day of work. The Yankees beat the Kansas City Royals, 6-2, at Yankee Stadium and surely the highlight for many was simply seeing his four plate appearances.
Before the game, surrounded by reporters at his locker, Jeter said he had not thought about Sunday's ceremony and had not been told much of anything. He knew his family was coming, and wasn't sure who else. He didn't know what he would say. He suggested maybe he would think about it on his drive to the stadium.
'When I tell you I have not thought about it, I really have not thought about it,' he said. 'I really haven't. Anything that's done for me, I appreciate it. I don't expect it. I don't expect anything to be done for me. I don't know what's going to happen.'
During batting practice, Jeter entertained fans in the dugout. He smiled, shook hands and posed for pictures. One of them happened to be Hugh Jackman, who later tweeted, 'The legend at batting practice,' along with a video of Jeter swinging.
Entering Saturday, the Yankees trailed the Seattle Mariners by four and a half games for the second wild-card spot, the last in the playoffs.
Manager Joe Girardi said he was looking forward to Sunday. But he also noted that he would continue balancing Jeter's playing time to keep him healthy and productive. He typically didn't allow Jeter to play more than five to six days in a row now.
During Saturday's game, Jeter received the loudest applause, the loudest chants. One young fan held a sign that read: I'll tell my grandkids that I saw Jeter. Two grown men nearly tackled each other racing for a foul ball he hit. But Jeter was batting .260. His age was showing, and the Yankees clearly did not rely on him as much anymore.
They caught a break when Danny Duffy, the Royals' starter, exited the game after one pitch. Duffy threw a fastball to Jacoby Ellsbury, grimaced and paced the mound. He had a sore left shoulder, which, for the Royals, was disheartening news.
After having Tommy John surgery in 2012, Duffy had become a reliable part of the Royals' rotation and one of the better left-handed pitchers in baseball. His 2.42 earned run average this season was the third lowest among qualified American League starters. And the Royals were trying to make the playoffs for the first time since 1985.
The Royals needed four more pitchers to finish the game.
Five different Yankees drove in runs. Martin Prado, having missed the last three games with a strained left hamstring, went 3 for 4 with two doubles and two runs scored. Ellsbury tripled in a run and then scored on a sacrifice fly from Jeter.
Jeter's afternoon was otherwise uneventful and short. He saw 10 pitches the whole game. He grounded out softly to third base. He grounded out to shortstop. Then he struck out swinging through a 94-mile-per-hour fastball in his final appearance.
That was in the sixth inning. In the ninth, with the game well in hand, a chant rose from the bleachers 'Der-ek! Jet-er!' They had only 22 games left to say goodbye.
INSIDE PITCH
Masahiro Tanaka, who has a partially torn elbow ligament, threw a 34-pitch bullpen session and said he felt fine. The Yankees' goal is to have him pitch for them before the end of the season to determine if surgery is necessary. 'Hopefully I can get it in before the season is over,' Tanaka said through an intepreter. ... Outfielder Brett Gardner missed the game with what was called a stomach issue and catcher Francisco Cervelli was out with migraines
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