5 best farewell videos for Yankees legend Derek Jeter

With his iconic number 2 set to be retired, alongside a plaque in Monument Park, Derek Jeter goes down as the greatest shortstop in Yankees history. But you already knew that. Here are a few farewell videos that emphasize just how important he was to the city of New York, and the game of baseball.

Even the man upstairs isn’t quite ready to say goodbye to Derek Jeter as a New York Yankees icon. Sunday’s tribute to The Captain will now take place before the second leg of a doubleheader against the Astros, following yesterday’s rain out.

For those headed to the stadium to witness history, the dedication ceremony will begin no earlier than 6:35 p.m. If you have plans with mom and will be watching from the comfort of your own home, ESPN will provide the telecast.

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Yankee fan or not, tonight’s tribute is one that shouldn’t be missed.

Jeter was the ‘Prince of New York’ during a time when the organization and the city needed one the most. From being the lynchpin of five World Series Championship clubs to personifying dignity and strength after 9/11, we’ve all leaned on Jeter one way or another since his career began as a skinny 21-year-old kid back in 1995.

Jeter is the type of player I’ll one day tell my kids about — in the same way my grandfather spoke to my father about Joe DiMaggio — and my father to me about Mickey Mantle.

So as we get ready to goodbye to No. 2, let’s take a look at some of the best farewell commercials dedicated to the one and only Derek Jeter.

Well, it took me all of 10 seconds to get goosebumps. I guess that’s how you know you’ve created a timeless advertisement.

The first professional baseball player ever to wear anything Jordan brand on the field, Jeter takes to the batter’s box one last time. In a sign of respect, he tips his cap to longtime rival, former Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester.

As Lester glares in for the sign from the catcher, he gestures back to DJ2K. This starts a chain of events from New York to California; as everyone who’s anyone tip their brim to the living legend.

Jordan spared no expense getting his celebrity pals to make a cameo in the RE2PECT commercial. Famous faces include Michael Jordan, Carmelo Anthony, Billy Crystal, Tiger Woods, Rudy Giuliani, Spike Lee, Jay-Z, Phil Jackson, and of course, The Core Four and Joe Torre.

As the ad comes to an end, Jeter sets himself in the box — hands held high as always. Even though the camera cuts to an aerial shot of Manhattan as chants of “DEREK JETER” ring on, I believe what you don’t get to see is the next shot of Jeter actually ripping an opposite field single down the line.

I don’t know if there is a Hall of Fame for commercials, but if so, Gatorade’s “Made in New York” should be a unanimous first ballot choice, much like Jeter himself.

As Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” sets the tone for this black and white introspective piece, if you don’t get at least a little choked up watching this, then I suggest you check your pulse.

For all his fame and fortune, I like to believe that Jeter really is just a regular guy that was blessed with an extraordinary talent. It’s fitting then that he strolls the streets of the Bronx, stopping to say hello to fans on his way to the stadium.

I absolutely love the part when Jeter enters Stan’s, and the guy in the backward cap says, “We’ve been waiting for you to come in here since ’98, at the least.” To which Jeter replies, “You never invited me.”

Sinatra’s classic ballad hits a crescendo as we’re privy to Jeter taking in all that Monument Park has to offer before he theoretically buttons up his pinstripe jersey for the last time.

With a nod to the camera, Jeter exits the tunnel to the field. He raises his cap and the crowd goes wild. Cue the tears.

Thank You, New York, is brought to you by Jeter’s digital publishing company, The Players’ Tribune. This love letter of sorts is told directly from Jeter himself, even if random citizens of New York speak the story at intermittent times.

This video wasn’t quite as hard-hitting for me, probably because Jeter is on-screen for all of 15 seconds. But what it lacks in emotion, it captures in essence.

From the beautiful sweeping shots of the Manhattan skyline to the real-life grittiness of a place where almost 8.5 million people reside, it’s hard to not appreciate the candor Jeter delivers about his love affair with New York.

Jeter speaks about his humble beginnings as a “Kid from Kalamazoo,” and how the city that never sleeps turned him into a man.

My favorite portion of the commercial is when Jeter begins with the line, “One code that truly makes this city go.”

Get up each day, put on your uniform, go to work, do your best, and don’t make excuses. That’s all New York ever really asks for. And that’s what I tried to do.

You didn’t just try, Derek. You succeeded in the biggest way possible. All New Yorker’s, past or present, can’t help but be filled with pride because of you.

I wasn’t expecting it to be allergy season when I first watched this video, but boy oh boy was the pollen strong (if you know what I mean).

As if getting through this week wasn’t hard enough, Budweiser goes and drops the quintessential Derek Jeter tribute video. I mean, come on!

Such a novel simple idea, turning off the lights on the number two or removing it all together from various places around New York City.

And of course, they couldn’t go wrong by replaying the storybook ending that was Jeter’s game-winning RBI single against the Orioles in his last career at-bat.

Through a combination of actual television footage, raw cell phone video, and first person perspective, the emotion of the piece begins at a fever pitch when we are forced to relive Jeter’s celebratory curtain call at Yankee Stadium.

The commercial goes on to show some of The Captain’s most iconic performances: his first hit — flying into the stands on July 1, 2004 — his game-winning home run in the 10th inning of Game 4 of the 2001 World Series — and of course, the jump throw.

Budweiser even managed to work in an homage to The Chairman of the Board with the tagline:

If it’s retired here, it’s retired everywhere.

Next: Wait, Jeter almost wore number 19?

From the Jeffrey Maier home run to “The Flip.” The Subway Series leadoff homer run, Mr. November, saying goodbye to the old stadium and hitting a long ball for his 3,000 career hit, Jeter had the type of career only dreams are made of. And today is our way of saying thank you for being part of our lives for 20 + years.