Derek Jeter’s Storybook Ending

In yesterday’s Hometown View I said one of the things that has made Derek Jeter so special was his ability to come up big in big moments but even his biggest fans could not have imagined the storybook ending to his illustrious career in Yankee pinstripes. 

Jeter’s one-out single in the bottom of the 9^th gave the Yanks a dramatic win over Baltimore and was his first walk-off hit in seven years and a perfect ending to a near-perfect career.  The longest-tenured captain in Yankees history said he has played his last game at shortstop as he will serve as a designated hitter when the Yanks end the season in Boston this weekend.

They played for the first time in 1972 and they’ve met on the football field every year since and while there is a third school and team in the mix the “Civil War” rivalry between Toms River South and Toms River North is still the one that gets the town and students talking.  Tonight at Detweiler Stadium in downtown Toms River the Indians and Mariners will renew the rivalry with South coming in as the clear favorite and looking to make it two straight victories over North after losing 11 in-a-row between 2002-2012.

The Indians are ranked fifth in the Shore Sports Network Top Ten and have scored 82 points in wins over Donovan Catholic and Toms River East as they look to complete a 3-week sweep of games without leaving town.  Led by quarterback Tymere Berry and running back Kahleel Green they feature one of the shore’s best 1-2 punches.

Meanwhile the North Mariners were just five seconds away from a 2-0 start under second-year head coach Dave Oizerowitz but saw that spoiled courtesy of a last-second field goal by Brick Memorial.  However sophomore quarterback Mike Husni directs an improved attack that features tailback Asante Moorer and tight end Jordan Craig and clearly the Mariners would like to avenge last year’s 38-7 thrashing at the hands of South, who leads the overall series 24-17 with one game ending in a tie. Tonight’s game will be broadcast on 1160 and 1310AM and streamed live at ShoreSportsNetwork.com

The Borough of Beachwood will hold its annual community fall yard sale this weekend with more than 175 homes signed up to participate, including yours truly.  The yard sale takes place both Saturday and Sunday between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and drivers are urged to navigate carefully through town.