Yankees: Ranking Derek Jeter’s Most Iconic Moments

5. The Jeffrey Maier Homer

New York Yankees Hall of Famer Derek Jeter’s first iconic moment is an easy No. 5.

OK, I’ll come right out and say it — the Jeffrey Maier homer makes me a little uncomfortable.

It’s unquestionably iconic — a rookie’s arrival marked by a game-tying home run in Game 1 of the ALCS against an AL East rival, mysterious circumstances, an angry opponent. But, the bottom line is…this wasn’t a home run. Shouldn’t have counted. Oopsie.

I pine, though, for the days when every break went the Yankees way — so often these days it feels like they do all the work, put themselves in the right position, and then everything bends in the opposite direction (or buzzes, if you’re in Houston).

This is still a powerful entry for Deej into the American lexicon — and, by the way, winning Games 3, 4, and 5 on the road is still more impressive than anything from the series’ first two games. Never let anyone tell you Baltimore folded after this mistake — they rebounded to win the second game, then the Yankees kicked into 12 more gears. And it wouldn’t have happened without this myth-maker.

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