The Derek Jeter farewell tour continues on Monday in the Bronx, with the Yankees hosting the Orioles in the Captain’s final home opener. In what is sure to be a special moment, the “Core Four” will return for the ceremonial first pitches. Jeter and Jorge Posada will catch balls from Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera in from of a sellout crowd.
The “Core Four” is a nickname given to Jeter, Rivera, Posada and Pettitte who were key contributors to World Series championships in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2009. This is the first of many honors that Jeter will receive at Yankees Stadium in 2014, but it seeing the Captain reunite with Posada, Pettitte and Rivera is special. The festivities are expected to start around 12:30 p.m. ET before the 1:05 p.m. ballgame.
"It almost doesn't feel like the season is underway until you get to your home opener," Jeter told reporters. "Especially missing last year, I'm looking forward to this one."
While the four Yankees legends will obviously reunite at Old Timer’s Days, Hall of Fame inductions and special ceremonies down the road, this could easily be the last time they’re on the same field with one of them an active player.
While three members of the Core Four are retired and spend the majority of their time relaxing, Jeter continues to produce at a high level. Jeter picked up a pair of singles Sunday to tie and pass Paul Molitor for eighth place on the all-time hit list; he returns home with 3,320. Red Sox legend Carl Yastrzemski is next up with 3,419. If Jeter stays healthy, he should easily pick up the 100 hits needed to pass Yastrzemski.
As with the majority of his key moments, Jeter said that his parents, Charles and Dorothy, will be in attendance for his final home opener. They clearly know when a special moment is on the horizon.
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