Serenaded with adoring chants that echoed through the Bronx night, Jeter tipped his cap several times at shortstop and drove in three runs. He launched an early double off the wall and saved the best for last - a sharp, opposite-field single to right that knocked in the winning run.

It appeared Jeter's tiebreaking grounder in the seventh would be the swing that sent the Yankees to a win when they built a 5-2 cushion against the AL East champions.

Not bad - but not Jeter.

Nope, he's always had a flair for the most electrifying kind of drama - and this night was destined to be no different.

As if it was planned all along, closer David Robertson gave up a two-run homer in the top of the ninth to Adam Jones and a tying shot to Steve Pearce with two outs.

That only set the stage for Jeter one more time.

Longest. Hype to retirement. Ever. 

(Sports writers!)

Heh.