Derek Jeter’s gift from the Mets is . . . actually pretty dang cool.

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A lot of the retirement gifts retiring legends like Mariano Rivera, Chipper Jones and Derek Jeter are odd. Either they try to hard on the symbolism — the broken bat rocking chair Mo got was inspired but what does one do with it? — they’re too pedestrian — “thanks, Astros. Did you get these cowboy boots in bulk?” — or they’re just plain weird.

But I gotta say, the gift the Mets gave Derek Jeter today as he closes out his final Subway Series is pretty spiffy:

I love it. It’s simple — just his number — but the subway tiles make it inspired and symbolic. He can hang that someplace in his stately pleasure dome and it’ll be attractive, one of a kind and a conversation starter. The charitable donation is pretty sweet too.

Nice going, Mets.

Cardinals sign pitcher Miles Mikolas to 3-year, $55.75M deal

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Rhona Wise/USA TODAY Sports
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ST. LOUIS — Miles Mikolas is sticking with the St. Louis Cardinals.

The right-hander signed a three-year, $55.75 million contract on Friday that will carry through the 2025 season.

The new deal replaces a $68 million, four-year contract signed in February 2019 that covered the 2020-23 seasons and was set to pay $15.75 million this year.

Mikolas will receive a $5 million signing bonus payable July 1 and will make $18.75 million in 2023 and $16 million in each of the following two seasons. Mikolas can earn a $250,000 bonus for winning a Cy Young Award, $50,000 for All-Star election or selection or winning a Gold Glove, $100,000 for League Championship Series MVP and $150,000 for World Series MVP.

Mikolas is scheduled to make the second opening-day start of his big league career next Thursday when the Cardinals host Toronto. Mikolas went 12-13 with a 3.29 ERA last season while helping St. Louis to the NL Central title.

“Miles stands among the top pitchers in the game today, and has continued to provide a steady presence for us both in the rotation and inside the clubhouse,” St. Louis general manager John Mozeliak said in a statement.

Mikolas is 45-40 with a 3.79 in 143 games with San Diego, Texas and St. Louis. He recently pitched six shutout innings in two appearances for the U.S. in the World Baseball Classic.