I know I probably didn’t pay enough attention to you as a player, Jeter.

It’s not that I didn’t care, it’s just that there were other things going on.

I mean, it’s been 19 years since you first donned those pinstripes

Almost as long as I can remember.

I guess I just thought you’d always be there.

 

I don’t hate you Jeter.

I hate A-Rod, sure. So does everybody.

And you better believe I hate the goddamn Yankees.

I hate them with the fury of a thousand armies

With the fire of a thousand suns

With the passion of a thousand dead French poets.

I hate the goddamn Yankees.

 

But I don’t hate you, Jeter.

 

In fact I always kinda liked you.

I watched your 3000th hit live on TV

Baseball just won’t be the same without you there

Crouched at shortstop

Awaiting the pitchers first move

Patrolling the infield

Like a feline on the prowl

Concentration

Agility

Dependability

You were a timeless hero

A permanent icon

Defying all concepts of age and time and mortality

But it was always inevitable, wasn’t it Jeter?

 

I hope you achieved everything you always wanted too

I hope you finish with the flourish that you deserve

I hope you find a lucrative punditry role on ESPN

I hope you keep banging supermodels

 

You deserve it.