Seventeen years ago on a rainy August evening at The Ballpark in Arlington; Maw Maw, Paw Paw and two adorable little blond headed five year-olds were ready for our first major league baseball experience. Our seats were front row but way out in left field. Out there with Rusty Greer; Bobby Witt was on the mound and some kid they called Pudge was behind the plate. In the visitor’s dugout were the mighty Yankees.
In the top of the first inning the young Yankee shortstop only in his second full major league season stepped in the batter’s box; his uniform number was 2, the name JETER above the 2 in block letters.
Conner said with confidence “Maw Maw, he’s good” Cale agreed. No one told them he was good, they came to that conclusion based on what they saw on TV and from reading the sports page every day. The guys learned to read and picked up their basic math skills from the sports page before they started school.
Last night at Yankee Stadium in the bottom of the 9th number 2 stepped in the box; the score was tied there was a runner on 2nd base. Jeter hit a clean single to right field, the run scored, Yankees Win. A fitting end to a great career, it was his last appearance before the home fans at Yankee Stadium.
I think Conner and his Maw Maw watched the game and Conner probably looked at her, smiled, and said “remember a long time ago I told you he was good”.
I have never been a Yankees fan, in fact when I was a kid I hated me some Yankees, I outgrew the hate but never became a fan. Over the years I became a Derek Jeter fan. In my opinion number 2 is a class act.
To Derek: You have been good for the game, baseball will miss you. Enjoy whatever is next.
To Conner: Your time here was too short to build the following of the Yankees #2, but those of us fortunate enough to know you still love you and miss you every day. Give your Maw Maw a hug for me.
Thanks for listening, keep me in your prayers.
Good Night and God Bless.
Dave
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