There is a legacy to Derek Jeter’s career that can only be measured through the words of his peers.
Jose Reyes remembers the first time he met Jeter.
“We were standing out by second base, he was the baserunner and it was unbelievable to meet him, and he gave me some tremendous advice,’’ Reyes told The Post on Friday night in The Bronx, as Jeter picked up two more hits in his final homestand and the Yankees beat the Blue Jays, 5-3.
The night ended with the 40,059 fans chanting Jeter’s name.
“He called me ‘Caballo’ and told me, ‘New York is a tough place to play, but always keep your head up, never put your head down,’ and I always remembered that,’’ said Reyes, who was then a Met.
“To me, Derek Jeter is a legend, one of the best to ever play this game and he’s got five rings. Not too many people can do that.
“I look at the way he played the game. He’s 40 years old and he still plays hard. He still gives it all he’s got, he’s going to run as hard as he can to first base and for a young player, that is good to see.’’
That is the type of leadership that will be difficult to for the Yankees to replace.
Consider this from Ichiro Suzuki:
“After being here with him two and a half years, you’re so used to him being there, his presence and I think it’s really going to hit everybody after he’s gone,’’ Ichiro said. “When he is not here anymore, when he’s not with us every day, that is when everyone is going to realize how special he was.’’
How special has it been for Ichiro?
The outfielder thought for a long time and offered this window into his world, coming from Japan to play in the United States, speaking through a translator.
“You know, I’ve been here 14 years and the thing that happened, the thing I kind of struggled with, was the values that people have, the way people take in things. Being here 14 years, there were only a few guys I could really relate with and match the values that I hold towards the game and in general, that was something that I had kind of given up on.
“You know, it was a different country, different ideas, different ways of living, but here I felt like with Jeter, it just matched completely, the values and the way he takes in things, regarding baseball and just in life in general.
“I was on some teams where I was saying, ‘Maybe I’m the one who is wrong, maybe I’m going in the wrong direction.’ But guys like Ken Griffey Jr. reassured me that no, I was doing it the right way and Jeter was the same way. I knew I was going in the right direction.
“For example, let’s say there are a hundred guys at the stop light and it’s red, but 99 guys walk across the street. One guy stays back, that one guy might be looked as the weird one, not doing it right, but Jeter was someone who reassured me and said, ‘No, that’s OK.’
“The light is green, you go, the light is red, you stay, those values are something Jeter has.’’
In a sports world, many values have been lost these days.
Jeter said to hear those comments now — as he rounds the bases for the last time — mean the world to him.
“To hear it from your peers, that is special,’’ Jeter said. “Ich has been a great teammate. Sometimes you admire players from afar. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know him. He has a great personality, a great sense of humor.’’
Jeter has built bonds throughout baseball. Both opponents and teammates admire his approach, his ability to go about the game the right way.
In the end, that is what matters.