To better understand what Derek Jeter has meant to the game, listen to these strong words from Blue Jays pitcher R.A. Dickey.
“I think especially as you start to look around at what’s happening in other sports,’’ Dickey told The Post, “it exacerbates just how relevant he has really been. Here’s a guy who has played in New York his whole career, stayed out of the tabloids, stayed out of the controversy, stayed out of the inflammatory incidents that seem to poison so many other athletes, and I think he has been a real beacon of light for the league, not just for the city of New York but for the league as a whole.’’
A beacon of light for other athletes. How many players can you say that about these days?
The Yankees beat the defensively challenged Blue Jays in part because of Jeter’s solo home run off Dickey in the sixth Thursday night. The winning run scored when Toronto first baseman Adam Lind let a ground ball by Chase Headley go right through him in the bottom of the ninth for an error-off, 3-2 victory at Yankee Stadium.
Jeter’s home run came on a 3-1 fastball by Dickey. It was Jeter’s first home run in 158 at-bats. But this was no pipe shot, a la Adam Wainwright and the All-Star Game.
“It might have been the last time I ever face Derek Jeter and I wasn’t going to walk him,’’ Dickey said. “So I wanted to get back in the count. Obviously, I executed it very poorly. It was in no way a gift of any kind. But I was not going to walk Derek Jeter in his last at-bat against me.
“I’m a competitor, I didn’t execute and he did exactly what he should have done with the pitch.’’
“Playing the game is my favorite thing,’’ Jeter said three hours before the game.
Then Jeter went out and had some fun. He played his usual batting practice games with teammates, on the field and in the batting cage, a little friendly competition to get the night started.
He picked up two hits to climb back to .250.
Jeter had gone 75 games at Yankee Stadium without a home run, the longest stint of his career.
Jeter is clearly frustrated with his season and the Yankees’ place in the standings.
As Jeter spoke before the game, his latest commercial was playing on one of the numerous TVs in the clubhouse. He said of the commercial, which showed him greeting fans on a walk up River Avenue, “It was an opportunity, I felt, to thank people, which I’ve been consistent with. Every time I’ve spoke is how much the fans have meant to me in my entire career. It was sort of a way to thank them for what they’ve meant to me.
“It was a fun experience, it didn’t take long, we were out there for like 30 minutes.’’
And yes, he did pick the song — “My Way’’ by Frank Sinatra.
“I always liked the song, I felt it was fitting,’’ Jeter said. “I’m happy we were able to use it.’’
The Core Four Era is over now. The Yankees rode the Core Four to five championships and will now have to find another way to get the job done.
On this night, Jeter’s long ball was a long goodbye to Yankees fans.
So much was accomplished during his era. That is what Jeter will be remembered for — those five championships and all those Octobers and one November.
The era could not last forever. It officially comes to an end next Sunday in Boston.
Remember the winning. Remember this home run. Remember R.A. Dickey’s strong words about Derek Jeter.