Derek Jeter reaches out to mother of slain Sandy Hook teacher

Derek Jeter made a special phone call to the mother of slain Newtown teacher, Victoria Soto, just hours after Donna Soto laid her daughter to rest Wednesday.

The New York Yankees star made the surprise call to Donna Soto — who said Jeter was her daughter's favorite player — after saying, "Vicki loved the Yankees" as part of her eulogy.

The 27-year-old Vicki Soto was killed Friday as she shielded her first-grade students from the gunman who killed 25 other people at the Sandy Hook Elementary School last Friday.  She is being hailed as a true lifesaver for her selfless action.

"Vicki loved the Yankees — that was part of her eulogy," her cousin James Wiltsie said Wednesday night.  "No one in the family reached out, so (Jeter) must have heard about it and ... reached out," reported the New York Daily News.

Wiltsie would not give details of the conversation but did say Vicki's mom was spiritually uplifted after hearing Jeter's voice.

"It was a surprise and unexpected.  Donna was ecstatic over it and very happy.  She spoke to him for quite some time," he said.  "Nothing is going to fix the fact that she had to bury her daughter today.  But I'm happy that it brought some comfort to know that people recognize Vicki as a hero."

Vicki's sister Carlee tweeted about the family's excitement and appreciation.

"Derek Jeter just called my mom!!!!! Thanks Vicki, she needs it thank you @yankees this meant a lot to my mother and all of us."

It was probably just a few moments of the the rehabbing Yankee Captain's time but you can't deny the gesture went a long way in the healing process.  And he did it in typical Jeter style — without any fanfare.

It can't be easy cold calling a grieving family whom you've never met before.  But it seems to be part of Jeter's nature to help others — especially when it involves kids.  His Turn 2 Foundation rewards students who have achieved academic excellence and shown positive behavior.

This shows he hasn't forgotten the teachers either.

A Yankees spokesman told the Daily News Wednesday night that it couldn't confirm the call.