For one memorable night, Derek Jeter was everyone’s captain.
Starting with the pre-game introductions and continuing through his dramatic curtain call, the New York Yankees’ shortstop was the shining star in Major League Baseball’s firmament that everyone was gazing at. The 40-year-old five-time World Series champion who is playing in his final season before retirement was applauded by fans, teammates and opponents alike as the American League defeated the National League 5-3 at Target Field on Tuesday night in the 2014 All-Star game. Even the National League’s starting pitcher, Adam Wainwright of the St. Louis Cardinals, stepped off the mound and joined in the applause when Jeter emerged from the American League dugout for the first at-bat of his final career appearance in the All-Star Game in the bottom of the first inning.
“I just felt like that was what he deserved,” Wainwright told MLB.com. “I wasn’t going near it. I’d still be standing there if the crowd kept cheering.”
Jeter, who stepped into the batter’s box with a career .440 batting average in the Midsummer Classic, turned around Wainwright’s second pitch with his signature inside-out swing for a leadoff double into right field. He would score the first run of the game when Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout drove him home with a triple.
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With the AL leading 3-2 in the bottom of the third, Jeter made his second trip to the plate and recorded his second hit of the night. He singled to right field off Cincinnati Reds pitcher Alfredo Simon to become the oldest player in MLB history to record multiple hits in an All-Star game.
In the top of the fourth, Jeter took his place at shortstop before Farrell sent out Alexei Ramirez of the White Sox to replace him. Another ovation erupted at Target Field as Jeter headed off the field. He would greet each of his AL teammates in the dugout before stepping out for one last All-Star curtain call.
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