The lump in my throat is back.
It's the end of an era at Yankee Stadium.
Mom and I are so lucky and blessed that we had the opportunity to go this year before they begin tearing it down.
Sunday night, the final game to be held at the house that Ruth built. It's these type of games where the actual 'game' is secondary to the event itself.
Pre-game pomp and circumstance came on, and it was just riveting! What an emotional roller coaster ride. I would not have missed this for the world.
There were so many older players who came back, and of course, remembering those players who already passed.
Family members of deceased players stood in for them including, Mickey Mantle's son, Elston Howard's daughter, Billy Martin's son, Bobby Mercer's family, Thurman Munson's family member. I know I am forgetting a few folks and I apologize.
You could tell that many of the former and current players were visibly shaken.
Bernie Williams came back for the first time since his retirement and got THE biggest and longest ovation. Williams, a very humble man, was overtaken with emotion.
Don Larsen began scooping up soil from the mound he pitched his perfect game atop...
Since Babe Ruth hit the first home run at Yankee Stadium, his daughter was asked to toss out the ceremonial first pitch to Jorge Posada. She rocked! Just like her father!
Bob Shepard, who has been ill and has not been at the stadium all season, recorded a greeting so he could be part of this ceremony. Shepard has been the Yankees public address announcer for over 50 years. In fact, Derek Jeter asked him to record for posterity what he says when Jeter comes up to bat so they can play it each time he comes up to the plate until the end of time!
The game began and how fitting that Andy Pettitte took the mound.
The game itself was actually very exciting, while the announcers intermixed video vignettes, interviews, live guests and trivia throughout the game.
Though the players of today may appear to be legends, the old timers will always be my heroes. Whitey Ford was signed out of high school for peanuts. He went on to be one of the best Yankee pitchers of all time with 120 wins, 2.57 ERA, and 748 strikeouts. He is a humble man to this day. No current player can hold a candle to Whitey, Yogi, Feller, Doby, and all of the old timers who made this great game what it is today!
During the 7th inning stretch, hearing Ronan Tynen sing 'God Bless America' for the last time at Yankee Stadium brought back the huge lump in the throat.
Robinson Cano hit a sac fly to score a run and then tossed his batting gloves into a little boy sitting in the first row. To see the little boy's face brought tears to my eyes.
Babe Ruth made a comment after his 1st home run at Yankee Stadium wondering 'who will hit the last?' Well, for all you trivia lovers, it was Jose Molina!
A perfect ending to a perfect game, bringing Mariano Rivera in to close the game out as he has done so many times before. Chills went up and down my spine.
At the end, while The Chairman, Frank Sinatra belted out 'New York, New York,' Derek Jeter made a short speech and then the team took a lap around thanking their fans for their support.
I must interject that I believe the Indians' have the best fans. 455 sold out games in a row. 105,000+ filling the stadium this weekend alone for a team that is NOT going to the playoffs (but should be!!).
And then so many wonder why I love this game!!!!!!
It's the end of an era at Yankee Stadium.
Mom and I are so lucky and blessed that we had the opportunity to go this year before they begin tearing it down.
Sunday night, the final game to be held at the house that Ruth built. It's these type of games where the actual 'game' is secondary to the event itself.
Pre-game pomp and circumstance came on, and it was just riveting! What an emotional roller coaster ride. I would not have missed this for the world.
There were so many older players who came back, and of course, remembering those players who already passed.
Family members of deceased players stood in for them including, Mickey Mantle's son, Elston Howard's daughter, Billy Martin's son, Bobby Mercer's family, Thurman Munson's family member. I know I am forgetting a few folks and I apologize.
You could tell that many of the former and current players were visibly shaken.
Bernie Williams came back for the first time since his retirement and got THE biggest and longest ovation. Williams, a very humble man, was overtaken with emotion.
Don Larsen began scooping up soil from the mound he pitched his perfect game atop...
Since Babe Ruth hit the first home run at Yankee Stadium, his daughter was asked to toss out the ceremonial first pitch to Jorge Posada. She rocked! Just like her father!
Bob Shepard, who has been ill and has not been at the stadium all season, recorded a greeting so he could be part of this ceremony. Shepard has been the Yankees public address announcer for over 50 years. In fact, Derek Jeter asked him to record for posterity what he says when Jeter comes up to bat so they can play it each time he comes up to the plate until the end of time!
The game began and how fitting that Andy Pettitte took the mound.
The game itself was actually very exciting, while the announcers intermixed video vignettes, interviews, live guests and trivia throughout the game.
Though the players of today may appear to be legends, the old timers will always be my heroes. Whitey Ford was signed out of high school for peanuts. He went on to be one of the best Yankee pitchers of all time with 120 wins, 2.57 ERA, and 748 strikeouts. He is a humble man to this day. No current player can hold a candle to Whitey, Yogi, Feller, Doby, and all of the old timers who made this great game what it is today!
During the 7th inning stretch, hearing Ronan Tynen sing 'God Bless America' for the last time at Yankee Stadium brought back the huge lump in the throat.
Robinson Cano hit a sac fly to score a run and then tossed his batting gloves into a little boy sitting in the first row. To see the little boy's face brought tears to my eyes.
Babe Ruth made a comment after his 1st home run at Yankee Stadium wondering 'who will hit the last?' Well, for all you trivia lovers, it was Jose Molina!
A perfect ending to a perfect game, bringing Mariano Rivera in to close the game out as he has done so many times before. Chills went up and down my spine.
At the end, while The Chairman, Frank Sinatra belted out 'New York, New York,' Derek Jeter made a short speech and then the team took a lap around thanking their fans for their support.
I must interject that I believe the Indians' have the best fans. 455 sold out games in a row. 105,000+ filling the stadium this weekend alone for a team that is NOT going to the playoffs (but should be!!).
And then so many wonder why I love this game!!!!!!
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