He’s always been a huge Boston Red Sox fan, so when Ben Affleck was asked to honor New York Yankee Derek Jeter at last night’s (July 15) ESPY's, he was a bit hesitant.
The “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” hunk took the stage and prepared to pay tribute to his team’s biggest rival as Jeter played in pinstripes his entire career.
Affleck began, "There was something about him that made the boos ring a little hollow. Maybe it was imitable class. Maybe it was that he won with dignity and lost with grace. Maybe it was simply that we knew no matter what, he was a winner regardless. Boston sports fans can be many things, but we know baseball, and we respect those who play the game the way it was meant to be played. Jeter broke my heart 100 times, if not more. And he broke it again when he retired, because he was absolutely one of the very best ever to play the game of baseball. So to you, Derek Jeter, I tip my hat and I thank you for every last moment of your incredible career. You made the game better for everyone."
As he accepted the Icon trophy, Derek replied, "I know it pained him to say every one of those words. So thank you very much. I've had a special relationship with my fans and my teammates over the last 20 years. But in retirement, I've come to realize that being part of the larger community of sports is a gift and, more importantly, it's an honor."
