Kevin Kernan

Kevin Kernan

MLB

Good for Girardi for tuning out Stadium’s chants for Jeter

This is the final leg of the race. This is why retirement is just around the corner for Derek Jeter.

Once again we were all reminded that the marathon is nearly complete for the legendary shortstop when the Yankees lineup was posted four hours before Sunday night’s wild 3-2 win over the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium.

Jeter has a tight right quadriceps and was not in the lineup for the second straight game with an off-day Monday. Joe Girardi said he could have used Jeter in “an emergency.’’ He had an emergency when Yangervis Solarte came up limping in the sixth and this was after Brian Roberts was scratched because of a back injury.

The Yankee Stadium crowd of 46,081 began a thunderous chant for Jeter, but Girardi stayed with Solarte.

This is how life is when you are two months away from turning 40. The continuation of leg injuries is why Jeter decided to hang ‘em up after this season and this is why every day Jeter is in the lineup is a bonus for the Yankees.

Jeter is expected back Tuesday versus the Cubs. The injuries continue to mount as Francisco Cervelli suffered a right hamstring injury running to first in the fourth and had to leave the game.

There are no guarantees and the Yankees need to be extra cautious because Jeter is one major leg injury away from his career being over with no Farewell Tour.

Girardi is cautious by nature. He gave Jeter a regularly scheduled day off Saturday and during that 7-4 victory, knowing that Jeter had a leg issue, decided to give him one more day Sunday.

Dean Anna started at short. Perhaps it’s time to put a call in to Scott Boras about Stephen Drew.

One thing is certain, Girardi must be more proactive after the problems of last season.

“I think you have to,’’ Girardi admitted. “He’s 39 years old. I think you have to be smart about it and understand there are times you are going to have to give him a day off. I ran him out there seven days in a row. That’s something I will think about the next time.’’

Jeter was nowhere to be found before the game by the media, but Girardi said Jeter did not take it well, being told he was sitting for the second straight game.

“He was not real happy,’’ Girardi explained. “But I told him missing one game is better than possible missing four to six weeks.’’

Or one Farewell Tour.

Jeter needs to be protected from himself. The quad could be tight Tuesday or the weather might be cold. These are the MRI-Yankees so caution is everywhere.

For those who say this is Jeter’s Farewell Tour and the fans who paid all that money to see Jeter will be disappointed, this is what I have for you: “Where were you the last 20 years?’’

If Jeter can’t go, he can’t go. Deal with it.

“I feel really good about putting him out there on Tuesday,’’ Girardi said. “We’re just trying to be smart about it.’’

Jeter has no tests scheduled … yet.

Jeter is never going to go tell the Yankees he has an issue. They noticed him stretching a little more than usual on Friday. That is when the Yankees figured something might be wrong.

Jeter hates days off.

“I remember he used to fight Joe [Torre],’’ Girardi explained, “and say, ‘How am I going to break Cal’s record if you keep doing this to me?’ ’’

Cal Ripken Jr.’s record is safe. The only record that matters is the Yankees’ record and getting Jeter to October one final time with a lineup that has its share of AARP players.

“He understands what I’m trying to do,’’ Girardi said, “but his heart, he just wants to be out there.’’

Girardi will be the careful one.

“I have to be aware of what’s going on,’’ the manager said.

That’s the only way Jeter will finish this final race.

Manage the player, not the Farewell Tour.