The 161st Street Business Improvement District spiced things up during the Subway Series to help Derek Jeter countdown to history.
In front of the Derek Jeter banner on Yankee Stadium along Jerome Avenue between East 161st and 162nd streets, the 161st BID unveiled the Derek Jeter Countdown Clock on Wednesday, May 11 to help the New York Yankees Captain countdown to his 3,000th career base hit.
The New York Mets made their way into Yankee Stadium on Friday, May 20 for the first round of the annual Subway Series. Dr. Cary Goodman and the rest of the BID members set-up a table in front of the ‘Jeter Meter’ throughout the weekend for the three game series to encourage fans to display personal messages wishing Jeter luck.
The BID also distributed special designed ‘disCountdown’ cards, which not only wish Jeter good luck on them, but could also be redeemed for a discount at partnering merchants such as Applebee’s, Billy’s, D & J Variety, GNC, Molino Rojo, Pinstripe Collectibles, S & A Sports, Stadium Souvenirs, Stan’s, Yankee Tavern, Z’Novia, Crown Diner and Court Deli.
“It’s a way to get the fans more excited about this wonderful milestone that Derek Jeter is approaching,” said Goodman. “You’re finally starting to feel like he’s getting close to that 3,000th hit. The fans can sense it every time he gets a hit. It certainly is an exciting time.”
Standing in front of the Countdown Clock, at McDonald’s on the corner of East 161st and River Avenue, and the Yankee Stadium Hard Rock Cafe, BID members and volunteers distributed approximately 5,000 ‘disCountdown’ cards over the weekend.
According to Goodman, participating locations said not many of the cards were used over the weekend, but they will be valid until Jeter gets his 3,000th base hit.
Over the weekend against the Mets, the BID said over 500 people placed their names on the Countdown Clock to wish Jeter luck and took pictures next to it.
The BID is also planning another surprise for people who take distributed ‘disCountdown’ cards, but Goodman did not want to give away too much information.
“All I can say is that fans who take the cards will be receiving free cake from selected vendors,” he said. “We just hope that fans continue to come out and support the captain as he reaches in on the milestone.”
Jeter collected five hits over the weekend against the Mets as the Yankees won two out of three games. As of Monday, May 23, he only needs 25 to become the first player in New York Yankees history with 3,000 hits.
