From Joe D. to DJ

By Bryan Hoch

Prior to Tuesday’s game against the Royals, the Yankees held a milestone ceremony honoring Melky Cabrera for his cycle, Mariano Rivera for his 500th save and Derek Jeter for his all-time hits record. Various Yankees past and present joined Hal Steinbrenner and company on the field, showering those three Yankees with gifts. Here’s what they received (info courtesy the Yankees’ media relations department):

Melky Cabrera:

• Custom-made ring honoring his cycle, presented by Felix Lopez

Derek Jeter:

• Framed action picture of Jeter, presented by Catch 24 Design (Bill Goodspeed and Mike Macchione)
• The pair of seats that Jeter dove into at the original Yankee Stadium on July 1, 2004, presented by Brandon Steiner and Gene “Stick” Michael
• Home plate from the night Jeter got his record-breaking hit, presented by Tim Raines
• First base from the inning he got his record-breaking hit, presented by Tino Martinez
• “I want to Thank the Good Lord for Making Me a Yankee” (Joe DiMaggio quote) sign from the original Yankee Stadium, presented by Dave Winfield
• An official Derek Jeter Louisville Slugger bat, cast in iron to commemorate passing Lou Gehrig, presented by Hal and Christina Steinbrenner and Jennifer Steinbrenner-Swindal
• Baseball autographed by Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig from 1927, presented by Hal and Christina Steinbrenner and Jennifer Steinbrenner-Swindal
• Custom painting, commemorating his record-breaking hit, presented by the entire Yankees team

Mariano Rivera:
(Joined on field by Bernie Williams, wife Clara and three sons, Mariano Jr., Jafet and Jaziel)

• Framed, matted print of a commemorative 500th save poster, presented by Print International (Gene Manning and Joseph Cook)
• The Yankees bullpen bench from the original Yankee Stadium, presented by Brandon Steiner and David Cone
• Framed photo of the final pitch at the original Yankee Stadium, presented by Brandon Steiner and David Cone
• The rubber from Citi Field from game he recorded his 500th career save, a gift from the Mets along with a letter from Jeffrey Wilpon and Omar Minaya, presented by Reggie Jackson
• Custom rings for Rivera and his family, honoring his 500th save, presented by Hal and Christina Steinbrenner, Jennifer Steinbrenner Swindal, Joe Girardi, Jorge Posada and Yogi Berra
• Custom painting, commemorating his 500th save, presented by the entire Yankees team

— Anthony DiComo