Derek Jeter left Queens with one final parting shot.
Before his final Subway Series game, a 1-0 Yankees victory Thursday night, the Yankees shortstop was presented three gifts by Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon at Citi Field.
Jeter received a mosaic of subway tiles featuring pinstripes in Mets and Yankees colors with his No. 2 on it, a cake from the famous Cake Boss paying homage to the Subway Series and a check worth $22,222.22 made out to his Turn 2 Foundation.
When Jeter saw the check, he sarcastically asked if it was for “two hundred and twenty two” thousand — rather than $22,000 — a slight jab at the Mets’ well-documented financial issues. Moments later, Jeter thanked Wilpon, who smiled awkwardly during the ribbing, for the Mets’ kindness, admitting to his joke.
The Mets are happy to see Jeter go. The Captain owned them during his Hall of Fame-bound career, hitting .364 — his best average against any team he has played 10 times or more — with 13 home runs and 44 RBIs in 88 career regular-season games, against the Mets.
Jeter — as much as any other Yankee — was the difference in the 2000 World Series, batting .409 with two home runs while earning MVP honors. He led off Game 4 with a homer on the first pitch he saw from Mets pitcher Bobby Jones, setting the tone in the momentum-turning contest as the Yankees would go on to win the series in five dramatic games.
Jeter went 0-for-4 in what was likely his final game against the Mets and was double-switched out of the game in the eighth inning for Brendan Ryan, a first this season.
“It doesn’t get any bigger than playing in the World Series against them,” Jeter said. “That was something I think the whole city was pulling for with us both going into the playoffs that year. Then to get that opportunity to play that exciting series. … That probably stands out the most and then the first we played them because of the buildup to that. It seemed like a playoff game.
“What’s special is the energy in the stadiums, both stadiums, all four actually. It’s the fans that remain the same and the fans that make it fun for us. Regardless of the standings or where anyone is or how they’re playing leading up to the series, it’s an exciting series for us, it’s an exciting series for the fans. It’s something we look forward to.”
Jeter said jokingly there is no way he would have a forgettable Subway Series swan song like Mariano Rivera, because he wouldn’t blow a save. Thursday night’s was the fourth such ceremony for Jeter, who said his farewell tour isn’t a distraction, nor will it be.
“You have a good game, you say it doesn’t affect you. If you don’t, they say it does,” he said. “I try to separate the two, go out and play the game and try to win. So far the way the fans have treated me has been overwhelming. I’ve appreciated everything that’s been done for me.”