New York Yankees' Derek Jeter celebrates after hitting the game-winning hit at his last at bat during the ninth inning of their game against the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014, at Yankees Stadium in New York. (Photo Courtesy of Chris Pedota/The Record/MCT)Every once in a while something will happen in our lives that is so unique and powerful that we cannot help but take a step back and admire it. Usually it's a once in a lifetime event or some huge milestone, like the birth of a child or the gathering of a community.
But on Sunday in Boston, baseball fans all across the globe will realize that they've been witnessing one of those moments every year from April until October. And when the next baseball season rolls around, we will never see it again.
You've seen the ads, produced by Gatorade and Nike. You might have seen the abundance of gifts given out during this season-long retirement tour.
And on Sunday, you will see shortstop Derek Jeter play his final game.
Jeter announced earlier this year that 2014 would be his last season, joining Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte and Jorge Posada as recent Yankee retirees.
Ever since, there has been a respectful outpouring of love and appreciation to the man who shaped not only his franchise and his city, but the entire nation.
There is no doubt that Jeter is a Hall of Famer and truly one of the greatest to ever play shortstop or baseball in general.
Throughout periods of steroid enhancement and pitching dominance, the Captain has consistently proved himself as a true star, on the field and off.
Born and raised on the East Coast, I was taught two things when it came to baseball: (1) love the Red Sox; (2) hate the Yankees.
And I hold onto those lessons, but when it comes to Jeter, even the most die-hard Red Sox fan must make an exception.
There is a telling moment in Nike's "RE2PECT" commercial that shows two Boston fans sitting at a bar. They look at the camera, their faces tight with an uncomfortable grimace but, as so many New Yorkers had before them, they raised their caps in a quiet salute to their rival's greatest player.
It is hard not to respect Jeter, not just for what he has done on the field, but also for the impact he's had on his community and on the game.
Well-known for his charity work, Jeter truly made New York his city and dedicated himself to its well-being.
When players like Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire injected themselves with steroids, Jeter stayed clean.
When the national tragedy of 9/11 struck, Jeter stood tall and strong, a beacon of hope for his city to rally behind.
When the Yankees won, Jeter smiled and carried himself with sportsmanship and class and when they lost, he was quiet and didn't complain.
There are plenty of divas in sports nowadays. More often than not, players show loyalty only to the dollar, not to their teams.
Not so with Jeter. He played for the Yankees before he was 20 years old. He played for them after he was 40 years old and all those long years in between.
There would have been 31 other teams lining up at his door with a blank check if Jeter had ever even thought about leaving New York behind.
But he never did.
Jeter will go down in history as many things: a Hall of Famer, one of the best shortstops of all time, one of the greatest Yankees of all time. The list goes on.
But what he should be remembered as is one of the greatest icons this game has ever known.
Even though I root against his team, I will be sad to see him go.
I, along with many other baseball fans, will sit back on Sunday when Jeter takes the field for one final time and take a deep breath, admiring the once-in-a-lifetime moment that I was blessed to behold.
Reach the sports editor at icbeck@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @ICBeck21
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