Jeter: 'I'm ready for my career to be over with'
Derek Jeter had an opportunity to hit his way into the record books one last time.
The New York Yankees captain entered his final game Sunday needing two hits for a record-tying 18th season with 150 or more, but fell one shy after collecting an RBI infield single in the last at-bat of his career. He was lifted for a pinch-runner after reaching first base safely.
"I never played this game for numbers, so why start now?" Jeter said. "I'm tied with Hank Aaron (17 seasons). That's good enough for me."
Jeter, whose storybook ending at Yankee Stadium couldn't have been scripted any better, went out with a high chopper down the third base line, his 3,465th career hit.
The Yankees shortstop took a moment after his club's 9-5 win over the Boston Red Sox to reflect on the final week of his career.
From MLB.com:
I would have loved to hit a home run like everyone else, but getting hits is not easy to do. I don't care how far it goes, where it goes. I have no ego when it comes to hits. It's either a hit or an out. I've gotten a lot of hits like that throughout my career, and they all count the same.
New York has been a special place for me. The way that game ended at home, you couldn't have written the script. When I got here, I was just ready. I'm ready for my career to be over with, so I tried to have as much fun as I could.
Jeter ends his career the franchise leader in hits, doubles (544), at-bats (11,195) and steals (358).