The farewell tour of New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter is generating a lot of national attention. Teams are handing over items to the future hall of famer while fans in cities outside of New York are in tears.
Leave it to Chicago White Sox manager Robin Ventura to put it all in perspective.
“He’s not dying, he’s just retiring,” Ventura said Sunday, according to Comcast SportsNet Chicago. “It’s weird. I’m sure it’s uncomfortable for him going through all of it, but he’s a great player.”
Meanwhile White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko is also retiring to little fanfare.
The White Sox handed over a bench, some dirt from Old Comiskey and a $5,000 donation to Jeter’s charity when he visited U.S. Celluar this weekend.
Alerted of Ventura’s comments, Jeter said he was right on.
“I’ve said the same thing before,” Jeter said. “It’s kind of an awkward feeling because everyone is wishing you well like you’re (about) to fall off the face of the Earth. I’d like to think that I’d be around for a while after this. But everything that people have said, and everything they’ve done, is very much appreciated.”