Farewell to the Captain. My Personal Favorite All-Star Game Moment

Moments define Major League Baseball's All-Star Game. Each summer, the National League and American League join together at a ballpark to celebrate the game of baseball (and I guess play for home field advantage...)

This year being Derek Jeter's last season, and with the All-Star Game being at Minnesota's Target Field, his final All-Star Game walkout is my personal favorite All-Star moment.

As we took a look back on Overtime a few days ago, there are many moments that define All-Star Weekend. Who could forget Torii Hunter robbing Barry Bonds of a home run, the tie in the 2002 game, Cal Ripkin Jr. playing his natural shortstop position, and Mariano Rivera walking out for the last time at a All-Star game? Those moments stand the test of time, and for me Jeter's sendoff is the best.

I'll admit 100% that I am completely biased. I grew up in a Yankees household, and i grew up watching Jeter. Better yet, I could honestly say he is my favorite baseball player in my lifetime. Is he the best player in baseball history? Numbers don't support that. At the end of the day though, he is still one of the greatest ambassadors to ever play the game.

Right before the moment, I left my seat to make the long 34 row jaunt to the concourse. Right as I got to the top, Jeter was pulled from the game. I quickly turned around and witnessed the moment from the top of the concourse over row 13. Turns out, according to my brother who stayed in the seats, that my view was much better because everyone was standing on chairs and blocked all the views.

As Jeter went back to the clubhouse following the curtain call, I had flashbacks to watching him in the 1996/1998/1999/2000/2009 World Series victories, while remembering the losses in 2001 and 2003. I also recalled the moment of sitting at my Dad's house with my Uncle's in town from New York watching the Yankees game awaiting a certain Jeter moment:

If Jeter's sendoff at the All-Star Game is 1A, then the 3000th hit is 1B for me. He has provided many moments over the course of his 20 year career. It will be hard to imagine baseball without him next season.

However, there is still two more moments to live. Two more moments that can easily top either one of those depending on how it's pulled off. On September 25th, Jeter will finish his career at Yankees Stadium (of course if they make the playoffs this changes, but with a pitching rotation that is injured it isn't looking likely). The game that night is sold out as the Yankees fans will say their goodbyes to the Captain. Finally, just three nights later, Jeter will finish the regular season at Fenway Park.

Those will be general baseball moments to add to his resume. As for the All-Star Game, Jeter left me with a speechless moment that I will probably always consider the greatest All-Star Game moment of all time.

Now for the greatest Jeter moment? That will be determined soon.