On Sunday the New York Yankees will retire Derek Jeter’s number. When I heard the news, I began reminiscing about July 9, 2011, when I had the opportunity to meet the Yankee legend.

It was only hours before Jeter smashed his 3,000th career hit at Yankee Stadium. I was on the field that day because of my father, Adrian Dessi. At the time, Dad was living with ALS–Lou Gehrig’s disease–and was about to throw out the first pitch for the game.