As the rain clouds passed over Yankee Stadium, baseball fans from across the nation tuned in to witness a baseball legend leave his stamp on monument park and the baseball community as a whole.

Jeter, who was drafted sixth overall out of Kalamazoo Central High School, turned down a full scholarship from the University of Michigan to sign with the Yankees; he then became the starting shortstop only one year after he was drafted and would keep the position throughout his extensive 20 year career.

“He’s one of the only people to spend his entire career with one team. I think that’s pretty special,” Kate Rutter ’19 said.

He played in the same stadium where Babe Ruth hit 714 home runs; the same stadium where Lou Gehrig said his famous final goodbye to the organization and his fans. In 2009, when the new Yankee Stadium opened, he was one of the first to play on the field where his number was retired just a few nights ago.

“I watched the retirement on TV [and] it was a really fantastic ceremony. I am very glad I got to see the core four (Jorge Posada, Andy Pettitte, Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera) back together,” Madison Malin ’17 said.

Jeter and the “core four” would go on to make history for the pinstripes throughout their careers. Jeter was a 14 time All-Star (1998-2014, excluding 2003, 2013) and won the World Series for the Yankees five times. He won five gold gloves and the AL Hank Aaron Award twice.

Jeter’s legacy is being recognized by more than just the baseball community; New York City and major corporations have contributed to show respect for the captain.

“I saw an advertisement when I was watching the Yankee game about a week and a half ago and I think the night is going to be very special,” Dylan Honig ’19 said. The advertisement shows the effect Jeter has had on the entire city and the love that the city shows for him. Because of this, Budweiser, the official beer of the MLB, utilized the slogan “Derek, this bud’s for 2.”

Jeter’s contributions and attitude off the ball field are almost as impressive as his play. Jeter is not only a man that is worshiped on the field, but he also has many achievements off of the field including starting the “Turn 2 Foundation.”

“He's just a special person really not just on the field but also off it. You hear it all the time but it really can't be overemphasized,” Jake Thaw ’20 explained.

Malin emphasized that he is unbelievably humble and contributes to society in more ways than one, making him an overall great person on and off the field.

As Jeter said his final goodbyes to the Yankee organization, fans across the country geared up to watch the emotional ending. Although it was an end to a legacy, Yankee fans will never forget what Jeter did for them, their team and the sport of baseball as a whole.

“You can really tell how much everyone loves him and respects him, Andrew Moy ’19 said. “Even if you like another team, he’s one of the only guys that everyone respects.”