TAMPA — Before Derek Jeter watched Mariano Rivera leave the game on his own terms last season, he saw several teammates wrestle with the decision about whether to come back before finally retiring.
Jeter, apparently, had no such indecision.
“I’m so happy that Derek will get to go out on his terms — and his way,” said Bernie Williams, who didn’t acknowledge his career was over until four years after his final at bat in 2006.
Jorge Posada faced a similar decision when he faced the end of his career.
“He made me a better player and a better person,” the former catcher said. “I’m so proud of our friendship and I love him like a brother. Derek was a true champion and the greatest teammate I ever had.”
Plenty of others chimed in on Jeter’s sudden farewell Wednesday, which he announced on his Facebook page.
Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig, who is nearing the end of his career as well, praised Jeter after the news broke.
“In the 21-plus years in which I have served as Commissioner, Major League Baseball has had no finer ambassador than Derek Jeter,” Selig said in a statement. “Since his championship rookie season of 1996, Derek has represented all the best of the National Pastime on and off the field.”
Though Jeter and Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild spend more time than most at the team’s minor league complex, Rothschild said he didn’t have any indications Jeter was about to announce his retirement.
“Not at all,” Rothschild said. “I don’t know what you say about a guy who’s done what he’s done in his career. [Mariano Rivera] last year announced it in the spring and now Jeter this year. I don’t know if I’m the right guy to put words on it, because it’s been an unbelievable career.”
Cal Ripken, Jr., in a statement, said, “Derek has represented the Yankees and the game of baseball so well for so many years. He has had a wonderful career and as a fan I will miss watching him play. He will be remembered as one of the all-time greats and I hope he enjoys his final season in pinstripes.”
So does Mets third baseman David Wright, to a point.
“I was fortunate as a young player in this town to be able to watch how Derek Jeter conducted himself on and off the field,” Wright said. “I’ve always been a big Derek Jeter fan for what he has done on the baseball field. I became an even bigger fan after getting to know Derek and learning there is more to this game than what goes on between the lines. Excluding the Subway Series, I wish him all the best in his final season.”