As Labor Day wraps up, marking the unfortunate ceremonial end to summer, calendars turn to September with fall looming. In years past for baseball fans in the northeast, that normally meant one thing: It’s time for the Red Sox and Yankees to start hating each other even more. Two teams fighting for playoff positions. Series looming where every game, every inning, every pitch could be the difference between first place and a wildcard spot, even playoffs or bust. Dates are circled on those newly turned calendars. We call and text our friends to talk trash. If you grew up in my household with a father born and raised in New York City, family members aren’t on speaking terms. The stakes raise, tension gets higher, and tempers are sure to flare in the Hunt for October.

This year, that feeling just doesn’t exist.

As we sit here today, Boston lays on the basement floor of the AL East, 20.5 games out of first place with a 0.1% chance of making the playoffs.

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Although nobody wants summer to come to an end, this is usually one of the greatest times of the year for sports fans. The NFL season kicks off this weekend (tonight, if we’re being technical), college football started last weekend, and baseball playoff races are starting to heat up. Every day there’s drama building from a new story or a big game that almost makes us forget we need to start breaking out the heavy coats soon.

With the Red Sox all but eliminated from the playoffs, we don’t really have quite that excitement we’re used to this season. However, it doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to talk about with this team.

Jeter’s Fenway visits coming to an end

It’s been a season-long love affair for the Yankees captain. Every city he’s visited for the last time, teams have showered him with gifts ranging cowboys boots given to him by President George W. Bush to the last second base used at the Metrodome. Remember the All-Star Game? A three hour non-stop tribute to the guy, with months of hype leading into it. Don’t get me wrong, Jeter deserves credit for what he’s done for the game, but it’s been a bit much. How much more do we need to give to a guy who’s got more zeros than we can count on his bank statement?

September 28th marks the last day of baseball’s regular season. It also marks the last regular season game Derek Jeter will ever play. Fittingly, he’ll do it at Fenway Park. Apparently this is a big deal, with field box seats going as high as $4,000 on StubHub, and Luxury Suites selling as high as $35k. The game itself will be interesting, as it could determine the playoff chances for the Yankees. With the Red Sox eliminated, they could play role of spoiler, in Jeter’s last game of his career, at home. How awesome would that be? I can already feel the corner of my mouth deviously reach towards my cheek.

It raises the question: How should Boston honor Jeter?

Last year’s Rivera tribute was great. A light-hearted roast of sorts, as they showed Rivera’s blown save in the 2004 ALCS, followed up by the standing ovation Red Sox fans gave him the start the 2005 season. Rivera, a pro’s pro, took it in stride, along with a myriad of gifts including the last “42” placard ever to be used on the Green Monster and a 1934 Fenway Park seat with the No. 42 on it.

While the Red Sox have not revealed what they will do for Jeter, it will be nothing short of a spectacle. Especially given it’s the last day of baseball’s regular season, and all eyes will be glued to the ceremony.

While baseball “purists” will want something solemn and serious honoring Jeter’s contributions to the game, the Red Sox should do something more Rivera-like. Let’s not forget Jeter was a catalyst for the most heated rivalry in baseball at its peak. It’s the Red Sox tribute to him, not his tribute to himself (something we will get to next week that I’m heated up about). They have every right to let him know they respect him as a person, but have always hated him as a player.

Newcomers getting comfortable

When acquiring a player mid-season, it takes them some time to become adjusted, and that transition period normally affects on-field performance. Not only has Yoenis Cespedes fit in quite well with the organization since arriving from Oakland July 31st, he seems to be thriving at the plate. He’s hitting .390 over his last 10 games, five of those games with multiple hits. Over the span, he’s raised his batting average from .252 to .263, a huge jump given how late in the season it is. He’s expected to be a huge focus in the Boston offense next season, so it’s a great sign to see him really thriving of late.

While it’s not a huge surprise to see Cespedes playing well, it may be a little more of a surprise with Mookie Betts. The 21-year-old center fielder, who was called up late in the season to replace a struggling Jackie Bradley, has really impressed over the last few games. Heading into last night’s game against the Yankees, Betts was on a tear with four multihit games in his last five, including a grand slam against the Rays on Friday night. He’s now hitting .274 in less than 30 career games in the majors. He ranked 5th on the Red Sox in batting average over the month of August behind Ortiz, Pedroia, Nava, and Cespedes. Not so bad, rook.

Although the season is a wash, give manager John Farrell credit with how he’s approached the rest of the year. Not only has he thrown a lot of Boston’s young talent in the fire by bringing them up earlier than expected, he’s getting the most out of them. He’s forcing young players to learn life at the big league level, the day in and day out, getting comfortable in their routine with the club. These guys also have experience working with veterans like Ortiz, Pedroia, Napoli, who can make the transition easier. They’re building relationships with these players, who will be their teammates for the

next few years. It’s a strategy that will make heading into next season much easier for these young guys having the experience they gained at the end of this season.

Pedroia set to return this weekend

After suffering a blow to the head against Tampa on Saturday, Dustin Pedroia is set to return to the lineup sometime this weekend against Toronto. He experienced multiple concussion-like symptoms over this past weekend and was sat out for testing. Farrell said he’s improving, passing impact testing yesterday and set to undergo further exertion testing today.

There is no rush to bring Pedroia back whatsoever. As noted above, his presence in the clubhouse is much more important than his presence on the field. While concussions are rare in baseball, we’ve seen it all too often in football when players return earlier than they should.

Just take a look at former Patriot and Pedroia’s buddy Wes Welker, who has suffered his third concussion in less than a year. Questions have arisen whether Welker should consider retirement now due to increased studies on the long-term effects of multiple concussions. Pedroia, like Welker, is a gamer. He’ll do anything to get back on the field. At this point though, with nothing to play for, Farrell and the medical staff need to take into consideration a player’s overall health and take the decision out of his hands. Sit him until he’s 110% healthy.