Advertisement

Derek Jeter makes final trip to Toronto with New York Yankees

Derek Jeter bats against the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre. (Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
Derek Jeter bats against the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre. (Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

After nearly two decades of consistent excellence, the Derek Jeter show makes its final stop in Toronto.

Jeter played his first game in Toronto on June 10, 1996 going 1-for-4 in a 5-3 Yankees win. That season he went on to be named the AL Rookie of the Year and won the first of five World Series titles. Sunday, August 31 will be the last time he takes the field in Toronto, his legacy cemented as one of the game's all-time greats.

The old Yankee Stadium, the new Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, and Camden Yards are the only major-league parks where Jeter has played more games in than Rogers Centre. Entering Friday's series opener, Jeter has a .304 batting average to go along with 25 doubles, and 11 home runs in 130 games in Toronto.

For as many games as The Captain played North of the border, the moment that stands out for many was a painful one for the 14-time all-star. On Opening Day in 2003, Jeter dislocated his left shoulder sliding headfirst into third base when he collided with Jays catcher Ken Huckaby, who was covering the bag because of an infield shift. Jeter missed six weeks but returned to lead the Yankees to yet another American League pennant and World Series appearance.

The Blue Jays will honour Jeter in a ceremony prior to Sunday's game. Last year, the organization gifted Jeter's longtime teammate Mariano Rivera an Inuit sculpture and donated $10,000 to Rivera's charity.

Jose Bautista, Colby Rasmus, Drew Hutchison, and Casey Janssen talked to the Canadian Press about Jeter and their comments reflect how he will be remembered by anyone with a connection to baseball.

Bautista: “A true ambassador of the game. He exemplifies what a baseball player is supposed to be like.”

Rasmus: “He’s the all-time baller. The original gangster. He’s always been cool. Every time I’m on second base, he’s always cool. He’s the only player that’s ever made me feel good and I still liked him after they were spanking our butts.”

Hutchison: “Everyone respects him. Every player, every manager, everybody in the game. That doesn’t happen a lot. … He’s a winner, he’s a leader.”

Janssen: “Come out and support him, because he’s one of a kind and guys like him don’t come around too often.”

This weekend it's Toronto's turn to give Derek Jeter a hand and show their respect to one of baseball's best as his remarkable career comes to a close.

More MLB coverage on Yahoo Sports: