Classic Home Finale for Jeter

Sports proved to be the best kind of theater once again on Thursday night as the New York Yankees topped the Baltimore Orioles, 6-5, on a walk-off single by Derek Jeter in his final home game.

Jeter took the first pitch he saw from Evan Meek to right field, in classic Jeter fashion, to score Antoan Richardson from second -- and win the game in front of a sold-out Yankee Stadium and appreciative Yankee crowd. (WATCH: Jeter's Final AB and celebration).

Jeter only got his moment because of the drama provided by the baseball gods. The Yanks were up 5-2 in the top of the ninth, but reliable closer David Robertson allowed two home runs to knot the game at 5-5 and provide the Captain with his one last at-bat.

Prior to the game-winner, Jeter had already been heavily involved in the action. He was 1-4 to that point with 2 RBI.

The game, which served as the closing chapter in Jeter's Yankee Stadium career, saw the Orioles ploy spoiler early, hitting back-to-back home runs to start the game and take a 2-0 lead.

But in true Jeter fashion, he responded. He doubled off the left field wall off Kevin Gausman in the bottom of half of the first to score Brett Gardner -- and he scored on an error to tie the game at 2-2 on the next batter.

But before all that, Jeter took the field before the first pitch by himself, seconds ahead of his teammates to a thunderous applause. And as the cameras zoomed in on Jeter and as the "Dereeeeeek Jeeeeeeter" chants grew louder, you could see the player who has held his emotions in check for 20 years, was almost moved to tears.