New York Yankees

11 years ago Jeter saved game with this spectacular catch

Published Jul. 1, 2015 5:30 p.m. ET

foxsports

It was July 1, 2004. It was a regular-season game between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. The game was tied 3-3 in the 12th inning.

It was a crucial moment in the game as the Sox had two on in scoring position with two outs. Trot Nixon entered to pinch hit for Gabe Kapler and proceeded to loop one down the third-base line, a ball that hung and drifted towards foul territory. It looked as though it might fall for a hit and break the game open, but then Derek Jeter happened.

In a long run from short, Jeter ran full-speed, towards the line, made the catch, and launched himself over a wall and into the crowd at Yankee Stadium. It was a breathtaking moment as their beloved shortstop disappeared into the seats.

When he emerged, helped up by the Yankee faithful, he'd lost his hat and his face was battered and bleeding. July 1 is the 11-year anniversary of this play. Let us bask in the beautiful recklessness of it once again.

The Yankees went on to win the game 5-4 in the 13th inning completing a three-game sweep of their longtime rivals ...

Of course, they would go on to blow a 3-0 series lead to the Red Sox in a historic ALCS that changed the history of the Red Sox franchise forever, but we'll leave that for another day. Today, we marvel at Jeter's flair for the dramatic, and that day in July when he saved the game for the Yankees.