While Alex Rodriguez had his way of giving baseballs to babes in the stands, Derek Jeter’s methods, and targets, are decidedly more adorable.
During Saturday’s game, a 3-0 loss to the Indians at the Stadium, a ball got past Cleveland catcher Yan Gomes in the first inning and bounced its way toward Jeter on the on-deck circle.
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The captain spotted a baby clad in a Yankees T-shirt, and much to the dismay of a young boy who believed the intangibles-made-sentient legend was angling in his direction, Jeter handed the ball to the slighty confused but happy tot.
You have to feel for the young fella, whose mood must have taken the same course as a 12-to-six curve — from sheer ecstasy as his hero approaches to utter heartbreak as Jeter never meets his gaze.