Yankees retire Derek Jeter's number 2; Monument Park plaque unveiled
NEW YORK -- Sunday night at Yankee Stadium, the New York Yankees celebrated Derek Jeter's career by retiring his No. 2 jersey and enshrining him in Monument Park. Many great Yankees were in attendance.
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The ceremony was held between games of a doubleheader with the Houston Astros. The teams split, with the Yanks taking Game One 11-6 and the Astros topping the Yanks 10-7 in the second game.
Prior to Sunday's ceremony, former double play partner Robinson Cano sent congratulations to Jeter on Twitter:
Thank you for everything you've done on and off the field. You are a true inspiration. You helped change the game. This is for you, No. 2. pic.twitter.com/7PpXljNCBU
— Robinson Cano (@RobinsonCano) May 14, 2017
The ceremony started out in Monument Park, beyond the center field fence at Yankee Stadium. Jeter, alongside his family, unveiled his retired No. 2 as fans chanted his name:
Derek Jeter does the honors.#JeterNight pic.twitter.com/sIcewXjQB1
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) May 14, 2017
The Yankees showed a lengthy video tribute on the scoreboard before introducing various guests on the field. Here are some more scenes from the on-field ceremony:
Jeter entra al campo con "My Way" de Frank Sinatra en altavoces #JeterNight pic.twitter.com/zuKlAIajx7
— Enrique Rojas/ESPN (@Enrique_Rojas1) May 14, 2017
No. 2 walking to Monument Park. #JeterNight pic.twitter.com/5N1EYHnUPm
— The Players' Tribune (@PlayersTribune) May 14, 2017
— David Cone (@dcone36) May 14, 2017
Congratulations, Derek! You were a truly great Yankee pic.twitter.com/uQC9HiWl4L
— Paul O'Neill (@PaulONeillYES) May 14, 2017
The Yankees also played a taped message on the scoreboard from current Marlins manager and former Yankee Don Mattingly, who was briefly Jeter's teammate in 1995. Mattingly was also on the team's coaching staff for several years in the 2000s. Here is Mattingly's message:
Don Mattingly congratulates Derek Jeter. #JeterNight pic.twitter.com/1P2JBHzfwe
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) May 14, 2017
And finally, here is Jeter being introduced to the Yankee Stadium crowd:
Derek Jeter is introduced to the Yankee Stadium crowd. #JeterNight pic.twitter.com/KxAUMtaEBM
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) May 14, 2017
In addition to retiring his No. 2, the Yankees also dedicated a plaque in Monument Park in Jeter's honor. Here is the plaque reveal and the text:
Derek Jeter unveils his Monument Park plaque. #JeterNight pic.twitter.com/NR7FNUUCJg
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) May 14, 2017
Here is the text of Derek Jeter's Monument Park plaque. pic.twitter.com/lmmH9WRSOv
— CBS Sports MLB (@CBSSportsMLB) May 14, 2017
The Yankees also presented Jeter with various gifts to mark the occasion. He received a replica of the Monument Park plaque and retired number, as well as 14-karat white gold career milestone ring. Here's the ring and the gift reveals:
Jennifer Steinbrenner entregó a Jeter un anillo especial a su carrera con #Yankees pic.twitter.com/2iDFFfFLlo
— Enrique Rojas/ESPN (@Enrique_Rojas1) May 14, 2017
Plenty of gifts for The Captain. #JeterNight pic.twitter.com/IZMesjsFqf
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) May 14, 2017
The ceremony concluded with a speech from Jeter, which he started by saying Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there. Jeter thanked the Steinbrenner family, his former teammates and coaches, and everyone else who helped him along the way. Here's the speech:
Derek Jeter delivers his speech to the Yankee Stadium crowd. #JeterNight pic.twitter.com/cxY71AMCGb
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) May 14, 2017
Now that he has been immortalized in Monument Park, the next destination for Jeter is Cooperstown -- baseball's Hall of Fame, once he becomes eligible.
This article originally appeared on CBSSports.com.