 Both teams played each other in the last series of the season in what would be Derek Jeter 's final games as a player before retirement . Jeter said he would not play shortstop for the last series of the season in Boston , but would still bat as a designated hitter out of respect for the rivalry . Boston honored Jeter with a pregame ceremony including Red Sox retired stars Carl Yastrzemski , Jim Rice , Fred Lynn , Luis Tiant and Rico Petrocelli , the Boston Bruins ' Bobby Orr , New England Patriots receiver Troy Brown and the Boston Celtics ' Paul Pierce . In his last at bat as a professional player , Jeter grounded out , but drove in a run . Writer Peter Gammons who was in attendance at the game was also at Fenway during Ted Williams ' final at bat where he hit a homerun 54 years prior to the day . Despite the rivalry , many Boston fans at Fenway Park loudly cheered for Jeter and gave him a standing ovation . The Yankees , though unable to reach the playoffs , finished in second place , while the Red Sox finished in last place , 25 games behind the first place Orioles . 
