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:
Jeff Wilpon presents a piece of art made of Subway tiles to Jeter. Also a check for $22,222.22 for his foundation. pic.twitter.com/KhsT49IVVk
— Mark Feinsand (@FeinsandNYDN) May 15, 2014
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.