Core Four Joins Derek Jeter for the Captain's Last Opening Day

Yesterday was Opening Day at Yankee Stadium, which might as well be a national holiday for baseball fans (especially in New York). But this season's first game at the legendary ballpark was a little more special.

Yankees captain Derek Jeter is calling it a career at the end of the 2014 campaign. And that means yesterday was Jeter's last Opening Day as a player. More than 48,000 people packed the House that George Built to be part of history — including some very special guests. Andy Pettitte, Mariano Rivera, and Jorge Posada took the field with Jeter to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Pettitte, Rivera, Posada, and Jeter made up the Yanks' Core Four that led the team to five World Series titles (1996, 1998-2000, 2009).




The Core Four moment on Monday wasn't the first Jeter tribute this season — the Houston Astros gave the Captain pinstripe cowboy boots during their opening series — and it won't be the last. So get ready for the Jeter Retirement Tour. It should be an emotional ride.


Where do you think Derek Jeter ranks on the list of all-time baseball greats? Let us know in the comments section below!

Photo: Elsa/Getty Images