The other half of Jeter's walk-off finale

One of the biggest stories in baseball last September was Derek Jeter’s walk-off single in his Yankee Stadium finale. I know that at that point, Jeter fatigue had set in for many baseball fans, but it was a very cool moment, especially for me, as Jeter was the Yankees shortstop from the time I was 12 until 31. While a fitting end would have been another World Series title, this was pretty cool in its own right.

Topps gave us a lasting cardboard memory of this moment in 2015 Series One, card #1.

However, if the photographer had pointed the camera at home plate instead of at Jeter rounding first, arms raised, do you know what the photo would be?

It would be journeyman Antoan Richardson, sliding headfirst into home to beat Nick Markakis' throw and score the winning run.

Richardson, a September call-up, pinch ran for Jose Pirela in the bottom of the ninth. Brett Gardner then bunted Richardson to second, and Jeter followed with the game-winning single. Richardson did whatever he had to in order to score, including sliding headfirst into home ahead of Caleb Joseph's attempted tag. While many will always remember Jeter’s hit, Richardson is sure to be the answer to a trivia question for years to come.

Prior to spring training, I created a few cards using the Rookies App, and this was one I chose to include, knowing that Richardson was never given a proper Yankees card. I sent this card off to Antoan, now with the Rangers, and he was kind enough to send it back with his signature scrawled across the moment. Instantly, this becomes one of my most unique cards and TTM successes, depicting a memorable moment from an otherwise forgettable season.