Favorite Derek Jeter Memories

"Now batting for the Yankees.  Number 2.  Derek Jeter.  Shortstop.  Number 2."

Bob Sheppard's iconic introduction is one of the many lasting memories that Derek Jeter provided during his career in Pinstripes.  They have to play it during the number retirement ceremony, right?  With number 2 set to take its rightful place on the wall in Monument Park, we've been reminiscing about The Captain all week.  Jeter holds a special place in the heart of all Yankees fans.  For many, he was the team during the late 90s dynasty.  And he was baseball for most as his career neared its end.

YES had a poll question the other day asking people to describe Derek Jeter in one word.  For me "Class" was the first word that came to mind.  He has such respect for Joe Torre that, to this day, he calls him "Mr. Torre."  He understood and appreciated Yankees history as he was making it.  He took the role of captain and embraced it.  Even those people who hate the Yankees revere Derek Jeter.  Try to find a person who has a bad thing to say about him.  It'll take you a while.

There's a simple reason for that.  Derek Jeter has always been, and always will be, a gentleman.  It's tough to dislike a guy who does everything the right way.  Derek Jeter knows and respects Yankees history, and he knows his place in it.  His relationship with Yogi Berra and Phil Rizzuto was special, as is his relationship with "Mr. Torre."  And, naturally, he's become a mentor to younger players like Aaron Judge.

Who's responsible for all of that?  His parents.  They've been there every step of the way, fixtures in the Yankee Stadium stands, keeping him grounded.  It's always been about family for him.  That's why he chose Mother's Day for the ceremony...as a tribute to his mom.  Famously a bachelor throughout his career, he'll soon be a father himself.  And, boy, will he have some stories to tell his unborn daughter.  So will everyone else.

Everyone has their favorite Derek Jeter highlights.  And everyone's are different, although most of them involve that beautiful inside-out swing.  There's the dive into the stands against Boston; the "Mr. November" home run in the 2001 World Series; the home run for his 3,000th hit; his speech at the end of the final game at the Old Stadium; his Opening Day home run in Cleveland his rookie year; passing Lou Gehrig on the all-time Yankee Stadium hits list just days before the Old Stadium closed its doors; the flip against Oakland in the playoffs; the Jeffrey Maier home run; the leadoff double and minutes-long standing ovation at his final All-Star Game; his walk-off Yankee Stadium farewell.  The list goes on and on.

Derek Jeter didn't just inspire a generation of baseball fans.  He inspired a generation of baseball players.  How many current Major Leaguers list Derek Jeter as their favorite player or wear No. 2 because of him?  It's the rare player that can generate such respect from those he's playing against.  Derek Jeter was one of those players.  At his final All-Star Game, Mike Trout was in awe just to be around him.  Mike Trout, a superstar in his own right (and the new face of baseball), was in awe of Derek Jeter.

The rest of the Core Four have all had their days.  Now Derek gets his due.  The question of whether or not he'll be the first unanimous Hall of Fame inductee when he becomes eligible in 2020 is really kind of irrelevant.  Because we all know he'll be giving a speech in Cooperstown that summer.

His eventual Hall of Fame induction is for all baseball fans.  But Sunday is for Yankees fans.  It's a chance to say thank you to The Captain, the last man ever to wear a single-digit number for baseball's most iconic franchise.  One last chance to show their appreciation for all he's meant to the franchise over the last 20 years.

It's actually kind of fitting that Saturday's game got rained out.  Because how many games will the Yankees be playing on Sunday now?  Oh, that's right.  2.