Derek Jeter had a love for baseball more radiant than anyone else during his playing days. And it was evident in his excellence in the emerald greens of the ballpark. April 2, 1996, the year that marked when he first stepped out into the grand stage of baseball as an opener, was a day that every baseball fan has etched in their hearts and souls. The shortstop had already made his mark on the field by then, making his MLB debut just a year earlier.

However, the legend’s debut as an opener was marked by his stunning plays. Now that Captain Clutch’s protégé 21-year-old Anthony Volpe is going to be in the starting lineup filling in his shoes, the former captain is hit with a sense of longing and is reminiscing about his own opening day with the Bronx Bombers. 

Derek Jeter’s first Opening Day was marked by his glorious play

Derek Jeter dedicated nearly 2 decades of his life wearing Pinstripes, playing the game that he holds dearly to his heart. Now nearly, 10 years after he stepped off Yankee Stadium, he is sure to feel nostalgic about the thrill of being present in a game, feeling the electric energy in his bones.

Recently, Jeter shared an instance when he took his first steps in rewriting the Yankees dynasty. The former shortstop shared a video of his young self, on his first appearance on Opening Day 1996.

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It had been a sunny and warm evening; the sun shining down on the players on the field. In the top of the fifth inning of the game, Jeter stepped up to the plate. He took his stance and diverted his attention to the pitcher. As the pitcher threw in a ball faster than the wind, the shortstop didn’t hesitate and sent the ball flying deep over the left-field wall. The crowd roared a thunderous roar and Jeter rounded off the bases, his first MLB home run in the bag.

Will New York Yankees’ rookie shortstop be able to recreate history? 

Opening Day 1996 was a brilliant one for Derek Jeter. Not only did he hit his first MLB home run, but he also displayed his fielding skills. The shortstop legend, while chasing a ball soaring over his head, made a neat off-the-shoulder grab and robbed Cleveland Indians’ Omar Vizquel of a hit!

And that’s how he set it off. The start of something great. And his reminiscing about his past could be also a foreshadowing of what Anthony Volpe is about to brew on the current opening day. So hold on to your hats! And watch history being recreated!

WATCH THIS STORY: Ranking New York Yankees Legend Derek Jeter’s Greatest Ever MLB All-Star Games