OAKLAND, Calif. — The signature play in Derek Jeter’s long Yankees career occurred here. During the 2001 playoffs, the Yankees, clinging to their postseason life against the A’s, were rescued when Jeter raced across the diamond to cut off a throw home and flipped it backhanded to catcher Jorge Posada, who tagged out Jeremy Giambi just before he touched home plate for what would have been a crucial run.
The moment encapsulated Jeter’s approach to the game: athletic, creative, timely and, most of all, heads up.
Growing up in Curaçao, Didi Gregorius watched the play many times.