The Derek Jeter Farewell Tour probably reached aw-man-do-we-have-to? status back in Anaheim, when the Angels got him a personalized paddleboard because that was the most expensive thing they could find at the Walgreens on the way to the ballpark. It’s the A’s turn to do something now, except there’s a wrinkle.
A’s will honor Derek Jeter, will not show iconic A’s-Jeter moment
“Let’s just keep this between us.”
The Coliseum tribute has “conspicuously eliminated all references to that play,” A’s vice president of sales and marketing Jim Leahey said. “The fans will see a similar level of respect for what Derek Jeter has done on the field, but we didn’t want to show something what would make both sides feel awkward.”
That play would be the famous cutoff in the 2001 ALDS. There will be a highlight video. There will not be the most famous A’s-Jeter highlight in existence.
In my opinion, there are two ways to handle this:
- Own it. Let the crowd see the play and rain boos down on Jeter. Take it in stride and shake your fist at him. Remember why he's supposed to be so great, and remember why he's a hated rival at the same time. It's sports.
- Show the play and then give him an awful gift.
Show the play, give him a horrible gift, flash "Screw you, Captain" on the scoreboard, and have everyone walk off the field, leaving an embarrassed Jeter on the field alone to realize that there will be no ceremony."Oh, a wax replica of Jeremy Giambi's severed foot."
"Yes ... wax.
One or the other. But not showing the play? Eh.
(Please do the second one. For all of us.)
