Derek Jeter gears up for his first Yankees Old-Timers’ Day: ‘Big deal’

Nine years after he played his final game with the Yankees, Derek Jeter finally will make his first appearance at Old-Timers’ Day. 

The 49-year-old Hall of Fame shortstop and former team captain will don his famed “No. 2” uniform Saturday as the 25th anniversary of the 1998 World Series championship squad is honored at the 75th edition of the annual festivities at the Stadium. 

“That’s a big deal. It’s Derek Jeter,” Yankees manager and former teammate Aaron Boone said before the Yankees’ 8-2 loss to the Brewers. “Pretty cool, pretty cool. Got to see him a couple of times this year, but it will be nice to have him here tomorrow. I know obviously the fan base is going to be pretty juiced about it, and frankly, all of our players.

“But also I know how meaningful it is to all of the alumni and all of the former Yankees players that come and have this day circled on their calendars. 

“So it’ll be cool for them to get to see Derek, and I think it’s something every Yankee out there is looking forward to.” 

While Core Four teammates Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte and Jorge Posada have made appearances at the annual event in recent years, Jeter declined those invitations while he was part owner of the Marlins and raising his four young children with wife Hannah. 

Aaron Judge, who in December was named the Yankees’ first captain since Jeter retired in 2014, said the organization has “really missed having Derek around.” 

“It’ll be great to have him out there,” Judge told The Post. “Former captain, all the championships, he’s Derek Jeter. Especially for the fans, and with the young kids here, it’s gonna be pretty cool to get to see that. 

“It’s gonna be fun having him back for everyone.” 

Judge also recalled his first time meeting the 14-time All-Star, soon after he had been chosen in the first round of the 2013 draft. 

“It was brief. Right after I got drafted, he was rehabbing his ankle in Tampa, and just getting the chance to talk to him there a little bit, it was special,” Judge said. “He knew my name, and I don’t know how much of it was because my name was right above me on my locker where I was sitting, but it meant a lot to me that he said hello.

“And our relationship only has grown over the years.” 

Asked what he most tries to emulate from Jeter’s leadership style, Judge replied: “I think the biggest thing I learned from him is just being accountable. In the good, the bad, and in everything that happens. That’s something I know he did throughout his career. He was always here answering questions, and here every single day ready to play. I could list off quite a few things for you, but I think always being accountable for me is No.1.” 

Other members of the 1998 Yankees who will be in attendance Saturday include Rivera, Pettitte, Posada, Joe Torre, David Wells, David Cone, Paul O’Neill, Tino Martinez, Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez, Scott Brosius, Jeff Nelson, Mike Stanton, Graeme Lloyd, Ramiro Mendoza, coach Willie Randolph, Tim Raines, Darryl Strawberry, Shane Spencer, Luis Sojo, Homer Bush and more, plus several others from different eras in team history. 

For a second straight year, no Old-Timers’ game will be played.

It will be replaced by a Q and A session with the participants.