Fans poured into Yankee Stadium Monday morning, excited to be a part of Derek Jeter’s final home opener.
“It’s going to be a great day for the captain,” said Edwin Delgado, 51, who skipped work to come to the game with his 16-year-old son.
The game is bittersweet for diehard Yankee fans, who will be saying goodbye to their beloved captain at the end of the season.
“It’s going to be totally different. Like the Bulls without Jordan, like the Lakers without Magic,” Delgado said.
The buzz could be felt throughout the stadium Monday.
“It’s pure magic being here. Words can’t even begin to describe how we feel being here for Derek’s last opener,” said Joann Byrne, 46. “We’re witnessing a legend, it’s amazing. It’s just a great day to be a Yankee fan.”
Some fans even traveled hundreds of miles to witness the historic game.
“I came over 300 miles to be here for this. We came last year for Rivera’s last home opener, we want to be here for Jeter’s. It’s going to be part of history,” said firefighter Tom Collins, 39, who came all the way from Clearfield, Pa., with his wife.
“He’s one of the first Yankees I’ve seen play his entire career with the Yankees. To see his career is really cool.”
Yankee greats Andy Pettite and Mariano Rivera will return to Yankee Stadium to throw out the ceremonial first pitches to Jeter and Jorge Posada — marking an on-field reunion of the “Core Four.”
“It means a lot to be here to see Jeter on his last opener. It’s really special for me,” said 16-year-old Jonathan Wartel of New Jersey, who showed up toting a 2-foot Jeter head and wearing a Rivera jersey.
After two hits in the first four innings of Sunday’s win over the Blue Jays, Jeter’s hit record totaled 3,320 career hits — ranking him eighth on the MLB’s all-time hit list.
The Yankees are 3-3 so far this season.