On the eve of Jeter’s last home game, the Yankees shortstop delivered a much more meaningful present.
MORE: Photos from Jeter’s home finale | Jeter’s farewell letter to fans | Gatorade ad
From Steve Politi of N.J. Advance Media :
Politi reported that Bilderain’s wife was unable to present the flag to Jeter when the Yankees were in Anaheim and Bilderain was still abroad, so Bilderain brought it to New York this week. The couple purchased bleacher seats for Thursday’s game.
So when Bilderain heard that Jeter was retiring, he wanted to do something to honor him. He was stationed at Camp Leatherneck in the Helmand Providence (sic) of Afghanistan at the time, and on April 2, he flew a flag above the camp in honor of the Yankees shortstop.
After touring the stadium, Bilderain asked a Yankees employee to pass along the flag after being told he couldn’t see Jeter. The flag, which Bilderain placed in a manila envelope, was at Jeter’s locker when the shortstop arrived at the Stadium three hours before game time.
