Whether or not karma is real, it paid back Derek Jeter in full. The former New York Yankees player had a fulfilling twenty-season career in the Bronx, eleven of which saw him as captain. Known for his media-averse personality, fans equally admired him for his winning mentality, ultimately leading him to the Hall of Fame in 2020. But for the ex-shortstop, the highlight of his career had nothing to do with baseball.

Voted into Cooperstown with the second-highest voting percentage in MLB, Jeter’s rise to stardom had culminated with satisfaction. The day he announced his retirement was a dark day in Yankees history and the team has yet to recover. Nevertheless, for Captain Clutch, his fruitful career had some rare highlights that he still looks back on.

The Turn 2 Foundation’s Heartwarming Tribute for Derek Jeter

The year after he debuted in the majors, Derek Jeter founded the Turn 2 Foundation. His aim was to help youngsters turn to healthy lifestyles. When the 5x World Series champion retired, they had a little something prepared for him. The former captain referred to it in a conversation with American Family Insurance in 2022.

“They had a ceremony for me my last year when I was playing. Obviously, that’s a celebration of what you’ve been able to accomplish on the field during your career,” he tells Sherina Smith. “There was a moment during that ceremony when out of center field came all the kids from my leadership program of my foundation. So, that’s something that stands out.”

“Everyone talks about career highlights, they automatically assume you’re going to go point to something that happened on the field. But to see it all come full circle from when I started my Foundation in 1996. And have a chance to celebrate that day with some of the leaders in our program was pretty special to me.”

Interestingly, Jeter’s last game went a little differently than expected.

When the Captain Felt Like He Was at His Own Funeral…

The entire league came together to honor the former Yankees player in his last year in professional baseball. Not only was it bittersweet to bid goodbye to a respected name, it was also tear-inducing. It wasn’t just the fans who shed a tear or two. In an interview with Jimmy Fallon, Jeter once revealed how the solemn atmosphere made him want to cry too.

READ MORE – “I Still Hear It…: Even 8 Years After Iconic Retirement, Derek Jeter Was Dreaming About the Best Part of His Yankees Career in 2022

It was only when ballparks paid tribute with standing ovations and applause that some life was brought back to the game. Even today, the Bronx misses Captain Clutch in Pinstripes.

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