While the headline of this blog post claims I have no idea who Derek Jeter is, that is not completely true. I do in fact know who he is and why at the moment the world is all abuzz about him.
Oh you didn’t know? Well in case you have been living under a rock for the last several weeks, Jeter is retiring from being (and some might argue very good looking) shortstop for the New York Yankees.
But why do we care? Well apparently, several brands do care a great deal about Jeter leaving the world of baseball.
They care so much that products are being made or have been made to honor his retirement. I first caught wind of this when Gatorade shot a video with him in New York paying visits to fans near Yankee Stadium. You see Jeter get out of what you will assume is a taxi cab, (but you don’t know for sure, it could have been a private car) and greeting fans.
You catch a few glimpses of iconic locations in New York, like the Brooklyn Bridge. The video is basically telling fans that Derek Jeter IS New York, in my opinion. Diehard fans think of it as the perfect way to say goodbye to “The Captain.”
But enough about the video. I want to show you how some brands are recognizing Jeter’s victory lap on their websites.
Nike
Nike has created a collection of products to honor Jeter with the one-word “Re2pect” logo all over various products. On their website is a video that includes shots of Michael Jordan, former Boston Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester, Spike Lee, grudging Sox fans, Billy Crystal, NYPD officers and other notables tipping their cap to him. Customers can buy “Re2pect” hats, t-shirts, and Air Jordan sneakers commemorating Derek Jeter.
The brand did one pretty neat thing; it incorporated images of real Yankee fans all tipping their caps to Jeter. I thought it made it more personal. It wasn’t just about the products but about the love and respect for Derek Jeter. It told a story, which is the goal of so many brands these days.
Pay #RE2PECT. The @Jumpman23 Jeter Collection launches tomorrow at 8am EDT. Details: http://t.co/OIfCy7jdH1 pic.twitter.com/UZL5yE6xpN
— Nike.com (@nikestore) September 19, 2014
Movado
Movado is commemorating Jeter with the Derek Jeter Captain Series Collection, a series of three different watch designs for both men and women.
Steiner Sports
Steiner Sports is selling a Final Season Logo Louisville Slugger wooden bat commemorating Jeter’s retirement, and has an entire online catalog commemorating him. The bat also introduces Steiner’s exclusive Yankees Legends bat collection. There are also Derek Jeter Farewell Collection Air Jordan baseball cleats, a retirement logo glass case, autographed baseballs and display cases and picture frames for those memorable Yankee game moments with Jeter.
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LAST CHANCE to “Tweet Your Seat” at Yankee Stadium tonight for a chance to WIN a Derek Jeter game-used dirt capsule! pic.twitter.com/XKwn8xpSAe — Steiner Sports (@steinersports) September 24, 2014
This was from OyoSports:
Check out @OyoSports’ take on Derek Jeter’s top moments: http://t.co/I6lbMpj9fA #FarewellCaptain
— Steiner Sports (@steinersports) September 23, 2014
Ebay doesn’t want you to miss the chance to get a pair of these:
Miss the release of these iconic Jordan and Jeter sneakers? Get them on @eBay. #RE2PECT http://t.co/vqIQppE3BE pic.twitter.com/OVSpTKKNI3
— eBay (@eBay) September 24, 2014
Rawlings
Customers can get a GG Gamer Series Derek Jeter baseball glove. There are also various baseballs on the website with his iconic #2. The website also lists all of his career accomplishments for those of us who just have no clue.
So if you are a Yankees fan or simply a giddy Derek Jeter fan, check out any of these websites and see how brands are grabbing a piece of his legacy as he exits the game after a 20-year career that will no doubt land him in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY.