Derek Jeter reminds Yankees fans he's not theirs anymore

by Felix Pantaleón

Miami Marlins owner Derek Jeter sent the Yankees a video thank you for the team’s celebration of the 1998 World Series-winning team.

NEW YORK — Rather than showing up for the Yankees‘ celebration of the 1998 World Series win, Derek Jeter spoke to the Bronx in a video played on the huge scoreboard in center field.

The message behind him was clear, too.

Jeter thanked the Yankees and their fans while sitting before a backdrop that promoted the Miami Marlins and their slogan, “Just Gettin Started,” in his video during the ceremony before a game agains the Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on Saturday.

Jeter, owner and CEO of the Marlins, said he couldn’t make it because he didn’t want to miss his 1-year-old daughter’s first birthday party.

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Here’s Jeter’s full message:

Hello, former 1998 World Champion teammates and Yankee fans. First of all, I want to apologize for not being there in person, but I’m pretty sure anyone in attendance understands, if you have chrildren, you can’t miss your daughter’s first birthday party.

What can you say about the 1998 team that hasn’t already been said. We started 1-4, Mr. Torre’s job was on the line. We finished 125-50 and won the 24th world championship in Yankee history.

I’ve never been a part of a team, collectively day in and day out that thought about one thing, and that was winning that particular game. No one cared who the hero was. No one cared who got the headlines. We just wanted to win and that’s what made it special.

I’m a little bit biased, but in my mind, it’s not only one of the greatest baseball teams in history, but one of teh greatest sports teams of all time.

I want to say thank you. Thank you to the Steinbrenner family, thank you to yankee fans for always remembers, supporting and acknowledging your history. So enjoy the celebration and I hope to see all of you soon.

Brendan Kuty may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook.