Derek Jeter’s last game – for the New York Times

October 13, 2014

BOSTON, MASS. - SEPT. 28, 2014: Chris Kowalczuk tears up during the pre-game ceremony honoring Derek Jeter before the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox play at Fenway Park. Kowalczuk, who came to the game from Roanoke, Virginia, with friend Alan Moore (left), said he's a life-long Yankees fan. The game is last game of Derek Jeter's career.

BOSTON, MASS. - SEPT. 28, 2014: Derek Jeter waves to the stadium after he batted a run in and left the game at his last at bat as New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox play at Fenway Park. The game is last game of Derek Jeter's career.

BOSTON, MASS. - SEPT. 28, 2014: Alan Saluti of Boston sells issues of the Boston Herald commemorating Derek Jeter at Fenway Park before the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox play at Fenway Park. The game is last game of Derek Jeter's career.

BOSTON, MASS. - SEPT. 28, 2014: People stand in line for game-day tickets at Fenway Park before the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox play at Fenway Park. These people have been in line since about 6am for the 1:30pm game. Scott Corey (light blue, sleeping) and his son Ivan Corey (red shirt, sitting) drove from Dennysville, Maine, starting at about midnight the night before to stand in line. On the way, they saw 1 deer, 2 foxes, 1 raccoon, and 1 frog. Standing, Andrew McMahon (in yellow) and wife Stephanie McMahon (white shirt), drove from Rutland, Vermont, for the game. They arrived at 2am and napped in their car until getting in line at 6am. The game is last game of Derek Jeter's career.

BOSTON, MASS. - SEPT. 28, 2014: People wait for the 9 and 10am tours of Fenway Park before the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox play at Fenway Park. The game is last game of Derek Jeter's career.

BOSTON, MASS. - SEPT. 28, 2014: Fans try to get Derek Jeter's attention after the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox played at Fenway Park. The game is last game of Derek Jeter's career. M. Scott Brauer for The New York Times

BOSTON, MASS. - SEPT. 28, 2014: Yankee fans Greg Keid (right) and Sara Hotton kiss during the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox game at Fenway Park. The game is last game of Derek Jeter's career.

BOSTON, MASS. - SEPT. 28, 2014: Derek Jeter bats second in the first inning as the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox play at Fenway Park. The game is last game of Derek Jeter's career.

BOSTON, MASS. - SEPT. 28, 2014: People watch from behind the outfield during the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox game at Fenway Park. The game is last game of Derek Jeter's career.

BOSTON, MASS. - SEPT. 28, 2014: Fans try to get Derek Jeter's autograph after the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox played at Fenway Park. The game is last game of Derek Jeter's career. M. Scott Brauer for The New York Times

BOSTON, MASS. - SEPT. 28, 2014: Fans hold signs to get Derek Jeter's attention after the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox played at Fenway Park. The game is last game of Derek Jeter's career.

BOSTON, MASS. - SEPT. 28, 2014: People stand near the Yankees dugout before the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox play at Fenway Park. The game is last game of Derek Jeter's career.

BOSTON, MASS. - SEPT. 28, 2014: The scoreboard and jumbotron honor Derek Jeter in a pre-game ceremony before the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox play at Fenway Park. The game is last game of Derek Jeter's career.

BOSTON, MASS. - SEPT. 28, 2014: Betsi Shelffo and husband Jim Shelffo of Clifton Park, New York, take pictures outside the stadium before the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox play at Fenway Park. The game is last game of Derek Jeter's career.

BOSTON, MASS. - SEPT. 28, 2014: Derek Jeter takes to the field for batting practice before the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox play at Fenway Park. The game is last game of Derek Jeter's career.

BOSTON, MASS. - SEPT. 28, 2014: Derek Jeter leaves the field after warmups before the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox play at Fenway Park. The game is last game of Derek Jeter's career.

BOSTON, MASS. - SEPT. 28, 2014: Frankie DeSario, 11, of Dedham, Mass., hopes to get a signature from Derek Jeter before the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox play at Fenway Park. Frankie said he is a Red Sox fan but still wanted a Jeter signature. The game is last game of Derek Jeter's career.

BOSTON, MASS. - SEPT. 28, 2014: People leave after the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox game at Fenway Park. The game is last game of Derek Jeter's career.

A couple weeks ago, I got a strange message from Jeff at the New York Times asking if I was available to photograph Derek Jeter's last professional baseball game. I say it's strange because I'm not what you'd call a sports photographer. In fact, I don't think I've had a single sports-related assignment in my career as a freelancer. I'm just about the last person you'd expect to see at a baseball game, much less photographing one, and I had to spend some time with wikipedia and talking with friends to learn about Derek Jeter. Nevertheless, the editor said he wanted me to photograph the excitement and history of the day, and that's something I feel like I can do.

In the end, I had a lot of fun on the assignment. The subject matter is so different from what I usually photograph so it was a fascinating challenge for me. I spent the day wandering around Fenway Park, both inside and out, trying to capture the fan's enthusiasm and passion for the game and this particular player.

You can see more pictures or buy prints from the day at my archive: Derek Jeter's Last Game.