Jeter Bids Twins Farewell, Gets Metrodome's 2nd Base
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- This weekend likely isn't Derek Jeter's last time playing in Minnesota -- he's nearly a lock to make his 14th All-Star team here in a little more than a week.
But it will be his last time playing against the Twins, with the future Hall of Famer announcing that this will be his final season.
The Twins gave Jeter a parting gift Saturday afternoon – the last second base used at the Metrodome, which was a game against the Yankees, along with a $10,000 check for Jeter's foundation.
He is gathering quite a collection of gifts as he plays his last season.
"Everywhere I've gone, it's been above and beyond anything I've expected," Jeter said Thursday, meeting with reporters before the start of the four-game weekend series. "I don't expect anyone to do anything for me, but they've been very kind."
A lot kinder than Jeter's been to the Twins over the years. There can't be many they're more excited to see retire than the Yankees captain, who says he'll take some memories from Minnesota with him, along with that base.
"We've played a lot of great teams here," Jeter said. "I'll remember playing in the playoffs here in the Metrodome and then the following year, coming here … so they had some great teams that we battled against in the postseason. Those are the things I remember the most. But I have the utmost respect for Ron Gardenhire, playing against him and his teams for years. So I've always enjoyed my time here."
And now this is goodbye, as it is in every stadium Jeter visits as he bids farewell to baseball. Just don't call it a "Farewell Tour."
"I don't like calling it "Farewell Tour." It's my last year, but we're still trying to win games and I have a job to do," he said. "So I'm not just walking around shaking hands and taking pictures."