By every definition, Derek Jeter’s first Opening Day in the Majors was a smash hit. Wearing the pinstripes of the New York Yankees, the rookie blasted his first big-league home run in a victory. It was 1996 on a 38-degree day in Cleveland.
Jeter can only hope his first Opening Day as neophyte chief executive officer and part-owner of the Miami Marlins turns out as gloriously as that first one did as a young player.
With a win, of course.
The experience just won’t be anything like it was for him 22 years ago when the Marlins face the mighty Chicago Cubs in Thursday’s season opener at Marlins Park — the first game for the franchise’s new owners.