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Derek Jeter's home run Thursday night against the Blue Jays was his first at Yankee Stadium this year.
On Thursday, a scrum of 25 or so reporters and photographers gathered around Jeter at his locker, asking him the same questions he has been asked since spring training. What’s your favorite part of this game? Is it walking down that hallowed Yankees hall? Stepping up those steps to the Yankees dugout? Jeter cocked his head, and peered at the romantic-minded reporter.
“Playing the game,” Jeter replied. “Playing the game.”
With that, Jeter excused himself, grabbed his glove, and trotted out to the field. By the time the reporters got out there, he was at shortstop, fielding grounders, taking that skip step and soft-tossing to first base. Ancients and nostalgia could wait. The game was still all.