The Twins plan on presenting Derek Jeter with a farewell gift as part of the New York Yankees shortstop’s last trip to Minnesota with the team this weekend, Fox Sports North reports.
Jeter will be presented the special memento before Saturday’s game. The Twins did the same for Mariano Rivera on his farewell tour last year, when the club presented the Yankees pitcher with a rocking chair made of broken bats – a nod to the number of broken Minnesota bats he pitched to over his career. The Twins also donated $10,000 to Rivera’s foundation.
Prior to this weekend’s four-game homestand, the 40-year-old Jeter played the Twins 128 times over his 20-year career, batting .323 with 13 home runs, 33 doubles and RBI total of 58.
The legendary Yankee added one more RBI to his total in the club’s 7-4 win over the Twins at Target Field Thursday night, when Brendan Ryan scored after Jeter grounded out into a fielder’s choice.
Derek Jeter gets ready to take some BP in Minnesota. #FarewellCaptain pic.twitter.com/SpuyIcIej3
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 3, 2014
“We’ve played a lot of great teams here,” Jeter told reporters before the game. “I have the utmost respect for Ron Gardenhire, playing against him and his teams through the years. I’ve always enjoyed my time here.”
According to Pioneer Press, Jeter also had praise for former Yankees teammates and current Twins Phil Hughes and Eduardo Nunez.
Jeter says Hughes played a “huge part” in helping the Yankees win the World Series in 2009 and securing Jeter’s fifth and final championship ring; and said Nunez was “a great teammate.”
“He’s fun to be around as you guys probably are finding out,” Jeter said.
As for the farewell gifts from his road competitors, Jeter said teams have gone “above and beyond” his expectations during the last trips to their stadium.
“They’ve been very kind and have given me a lot of nice gifts and given a lot to my foundation, which means a lot to me as well,” Jeter said.
In all likelihood Jeter will make one more trip back to Target Field, since he leads the balloting for shortstops for the All-Star Game July 15, FSN says.
If he’s voted in as expected, Jeter will be making his 14th and final All-Star game appearance.
