July 1, 2004 – Derek Jeter preserved the Yankees' 12th-inning tie with Boston by doing what he routinely does: whatever's necessary to win. Shading Trot Nixon up the middle with the lead run on third and two outs, Jeter had to sprint, stretch, and then dive directly into the stands to snare Nixon's foul halfway down the line in left. He emerged bruised and bloodied and had to leave the game.
Who else would have sacrificed their body in that way? Perhaps a utility player trying to stay in the league. Maybe a player in a game seven ninth inning World Series moment. No, just Derek Jeter, doing what he does each and every day, putting everything on the line because he wants to win.
The Red Sox did however take the lead in the 13th inning of the game, but the Yankees, unwilling to lose a game their captain had already saved, pushed across two runs in the bottom of the inning for a 5-4 win.
