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Big League Stew

Thu Jan 29, 2009 3:21 pm EST

Derek Jeter finally admits stealing part of old Yankee Stadium

By 'Duk

Now it can be told. Four months after actually doing the deed, Derek Jeter is finally admitting that he was able to make a clean getaway with the piece of old Yankee Stadium that he cherished the most.

His target, as reported by Harvey Araton of the New York Times? That would be the "I want to thank the Good Lord for making me a Yankee" sign that hung in the clubhouse tunnel. For years, the Joe DiMaggio quote reminded each pinstriped one of their good fortune on a daily basis — cranky fans, pesky media and dictatorial owner aside, of course.   

Now it'll provide this generation's Greatest Yankee constant inspiration, though Jeter isn't saying where the sign is currently located. Perhaps his current hesitancy or secrecy back in September had something to do with not wanting to be hauled away with 18 other souvenir hunters?

Indeed, the dismantling of Yankee Stadium is going to be followed by a mega-memorabilia sale and there's no doubt that the Yankee Clipper's sign would have fetched a pretty penny.

But let's be serious — who's going to be the one to ask Jeter to return it? Looks like the Yankees will just have to live off sales of the sign's $9.99 replicas.

UPDATE: For those of you not catching on here, the Yankees are fine with No. 2 taking home a memento or two as Jeter is the obvious choice to carry on DiMaggio's quote. We've just been having a bit of fun with the "Jeter as thief" motif. So chill, will ya?

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2442 Comments

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  1. The Champiiiin
    1. Posted by The Champiiiin Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:43 pm EDT

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    A good choice, simple and not over the top. I wonder if Moose followed through on wanting to trailer the entire flag pole to Pennsylvania:
    http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2008/09/19/game-154-orioles-at-yankees/ @ the 6:25update
  2. Mickey D.
    2. Posted by Mickey D. Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:14 pm EDT

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    Jeter greater than Mariano? I'd say it's probably close.
  3. davfied
    3. Posted by davfied Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:37 pm EDT

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    Good for you Derek. You are a True Yankee. "The boos are like cheers".
  4. hubert c
    4. Posted by hubert c Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:15 pm EDT

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    Right on Derek wonder what the FRAUD took and remember Torre didn't get to come back take his birthrite lol.
  5. craig e
    5. Posted by craig e Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:23 pm EDT

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    He now ranks up there with that fellow who was ripping off the yankee players.He should be released and charges should be filed
  6. rustic_dreams
    6. Posted by rustic_dreams Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:56 pm EDT

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    tmnt
  7. red_sox_nation02171
    7. Posted by red_sox_nation02171 Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:35 pm EDT

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    He deserves it.....good for him.
  8. chad j
    8. Posted by chad j Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:26 pm EDT

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    Put his numbers in Pittsburgh, and he's just another short stop.
  9. john OB
    9. Posted by john OB Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:31 pm EDT

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    jeter is a class act could be the classes yankee ever the signs his
  10. Jake
    10. Posted by Jake Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:14 pm EDT

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    i think they should suspend him
  11. Chavo2k6
    11. Posted by Chavo2k6 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:27 pm EDT

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    Classy move
  12. miltond
    12. Posted by miltond Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:35 pm EDT

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    i dont call that stealing jeter is part of that stadium history
  13. Sweet LouR
    13. Posted by Sweet LouR Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:54 pm EDT

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    Who has more right than dj to have something as coveted as the joe d quote besides that i think that sign will be hanging outside the new yankee locker room opening day. i ll bet he was just protecting it from all the chicken hawks trying to get momentos good job dl
  14. Sweet LouR
    14. Posted by Sweet LouR Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:54 pm EDT

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    Who has more right than dj to have something as coveted as the joe d quote besides that i think that sign will be hanging outside the new yankee locker room opening day. i ll bet he was just protecting it from all the chicken hawks trying to get momentos good job dl
  15. Sweet LouR
    15. Posted by Sweet LouR Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:54 pm EDT

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    When the yankees win the world series dj can run around the outfield with the sign held proudly over his head good for you hall of famer
  16. Diane
    16. Posted by Diane Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:55 pm EDT

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    Which one of you numbnuts suggested Derek be suspended or fired? You're joking right.....he admitted before the stadium actualy began being dismantled that he was going to take a piece of history and considering he has 4 WS rings and ist one of the few original Yankees left in the past 10 years I applaue hs choice. I wouldn't mid having Deek a a souvenir (yeah I know me and another l million lovely ladies......)
  17. mondo
    17. Posted by mondo Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:48 pm EDT

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    No Really, Jeter I'm O.K. with taking the sign, I'm No Yankee, or Boston Fan ( west Coast Giant Loser)
    But Jeter has done his time, and performed for the stripes. If A _ Rod took that sign, I'd say put him next
    on trial.
  18. dadicks
    18. Posted by dadicks Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:34 pm EDT

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    Ironic that Jeter would steal something that has the Lord's name on it. Or does the jerk think he's exempt from the commandment that says "Thou shall not steal?"
  19. Traci
    19. Posted by Traci Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:19 pm EDT

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    I hate the Yankees,but you have to love the way Derek Jeter plays the game.Not the greastest player,but maybe the smartest player ever
  20. Nick S
    20. Posted by Nick S Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:37 pm EDT

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    Even get paid. I thought you proof read #19.
  21. Eric V
    21. Posted by Eric V Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:01 pm EDT

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    Put his numbers in Pittsburgh, and he's just another short stop you say Chad J well
    "I want to thank the Good Lord for making me a Yankee"
    All the more reason to take that sign..............the post season hits in key spots don't show up in the "Numbers"!!!!!!
  22. Michael R
    22. Posted by Michael R Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:52 pm EDT

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    Someone needs to proofread...But on another note I think that Mariano is some good competition for being the best Yankee of this generation with Jeter. There is no doubting Jeter though I mean he is the captain of the Yankees.
  23. Aaron A. Camp
    23. Posted by Aaron A. Camp Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:44 pm EDT

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    Jeter should be arrested...theft is a crime, by the way.
  24. Chitown balla
    24. Posted by Chitown balla Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:27 pm EDT

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    lammmmme
  25. Kanay D
    25. Posted by Kanay D Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:46 pm EDT

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    Typical Yankees attitude. Take what you want, regardless. It's amazing how many people think it's ok to steal when it's a celeb/athlete. If the maintenance man had stolen the sign he'd have been arrested.

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Big League Stew is an MLB blog edited by Kevin Kaduk. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

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