I missed the festivities, since I don’t get YES except for the games themselves, but I did see clips on their web site and the tribute to Gene Monahan looked especially moving. And, of course, seeing the old favorites is always a treat. (Doesn’t Jeff Nelson look exactly the same as he did when he played?) Friend of the Blog John was there and sent the above pic along with this one featuring the one and only Whitey.
As for the game itself, it was another case of dropping the series opener only to come back and win the next two. Nova wasn’t as sharp this time (maybe we should have picked up Ty Wiggington for the bench!), but, thanks to the offense and to Logan, Robertson and Mo, he didn’t have to be.
If this is A-Rod hurt, I’d like to see him healthy. Is he on an RBI roll or what.
Swisher continues to show signs of life, as does Posada. And Tex is likely to have 50 homers at this rate.
What to make of Nunez? That error in the first inning was horrendous and had me cursing. But then his go-ahead RBI single was fantastic and had me cheering.
Best of all, the Yanks kept pace with the Sox and gave the big crowd at the Stadium a good time.
Just wondering….How come Mussina wasn’t there? And will Pettitte show up next year?
I was at the game for my first Old Timers Day ever… and I will definitely be making it a point to go back every year. The standing ovations for Bernie (who I miss A LOT, no offense Curtis) and Joe Torre were amazing. I love that Jorge and Mo were two big reasons why we won today also.
Very cool that you were there today for your first OTD, Rachel. Bernie is still such a fan favorite. And there’s still a lot of love for Torre. Too bad Mattingly was busy with the Dodgers because it would be fun to see him there.
This was one of those games I wanted to go to but couldn’t… Never been to an Old Timer’s Game. It would’ve been cool too see Torre, Bernie, and Lou in pinstripes again for the first time in a while. I always make it a point to catch it on TV though, and wouldn’t you know? The first one I made a decision to try and catch live is the first one I miss on TV! Ack!
Well I saw highlights once I turned the real game on in the fourth. Tino hitting a home run was awesome! And Bernie with the double! Two of my most favorite Yankees! Sigh… Should’ve gone… But I’ll be going to the game this Wednesday, so there’s that!
I liked the way our guys came back with that three run inning to tell the Rockies, “Hey, not so fast now!” Both Swish and Posada have found their power stroke lately. Maybe they can teach Alex a few things about hitting a home run… Not that Alex hasn’t been doing his own great hitting lately. But June is almost over and we’re going to have to start thinking about that 30/100 consecutive streak again. 100 RBI’s looks definitely attainable, but oh those home runs are always tricky…
I wish we could’ve swept them here at home to pay them back for sweeping us at Coors Field in 2007. Maybe next time… (in eight years?!)
Did you catch the praise for David Robertson from Michael Kay, Jane? How he should go to the All-Star game? I said that weeks ago! Maybe Kay is a secret reader of your blog? And he thought my insight was spot-on? Did he steal my comment? Maybe I missed him giving me kudos… In any case, I think I deserve some internet royalties or something! lol… :P
Oh, and I unknowingly passed by the MLB Fan Cave on Saturday night. Guy was just sitting there… chillin’. What a job… lol I’ll send you the pic I posted if you want.
http://yankeecase.mlblogs.com/
Hey Jane!
I was supposed to be in NY this weekend but had a schedule conflict, BOO! I got to catch the ceremony on TV, though. I may have shed a tear or two while drinking my coffee. lol
I’m glad this series is OVER. lol. As you know, the Rockies are my NL so these 3 games were just a migraine waiting to happen. I wanted the Yanks to win the series but I did want AJ to get a W in the process. These guys never cooperate with me. LOL [See, remember when I told you that I was bad at this guessing game when you had the book contest?] Ty Wiggington wanted me to jump through the screen today and kick him in the toe. He was the only Rockie to have faced Nova and he was 0-3….. DEFINITELY DIDN’T SHOW THAT DURING THE GAME.
I’m glad Giambi’s bat was quieted after game one. Honestly, he was a one man raking crew while they played the Indians prior to the NYY series.
PS- Please tell me you saw the Kim Jones interview with Mo after the game when he called Michael Kay “that big head..” LOOOOL funniest thing EVER!
PS2- I’m counting on the Phillies & their OMG rotation to sweet the Red Sox this week. I don’t have much faith in that, though. Let’s see what happens.
What an awesome day we had at the Stadium!
It started out in the parking garage when Doc Gooden parked right next to us. Added him to our “no hitter” autographed ball collection. Strawberry, Smoltz, Bob Wolf, Michael Kay and “less than Flair–ity” signed outside Gate 2. No, I didn’t go near him.
When introductions started, it “rained ” in my section (as well as many others). My face was very wet as was everyone around me. Tears of memories and joy. Joe Torre and Bernie ovations were amazing. Wondered where O’Neil and Mussina were. They put Yogi back in his box after he went on the field and brought him back to the museum and put him back up on the shelf! He looks like a little lawn ornament. Hope he makes next years OT Day.
Rested my then dry eyes a few minutes mid game because it looked like a yawner in the making.Then the Direct TV blimp must have dropped some magic dusk on the Stadium in the fifth inning cause it began to rock from then on.
Teixeria”s HR landed up six rows below me.
We had a great family day and I didn’t wobble to bad. As we drove into my driveway my son had an ear to ear smile on his face. A Yankee victory and 42 miles per gallon in his Jetta TDI! Life is good.
I was out of town all weekend and got back Sunday in time to catch the game.
I loved seeing Bernie and the rest of the ole timers. But I have a special place in my heart for Bernie I admit!!
My husband said that I should give it a try to replace Nunez for shortstop. For some reason he felt I would do a better job fielding. That made me laugh. I hope Jeter comes back soon or we’ll be swearing at the televison for awhile! My neighbors can’t take it.
So great to read all the anecdotes from yesterday. All the returnees; and even Torre seems to have made peace. Winning the game may seem like a sidelight, but definitely not! Encouraging comeback, too.
Since I’ve had little or nothing of value/accuracy to contribute lately, perhaps this will be useful. Noticed that the “espn-newyork” branch has voted, and has ranked the Top 50 Yankees Of All Time. I’d encourage any and all to check it out, especially oldsters like me. You’ll learn some valuable history (if interested), and the way they count ’em down from #50 to #1 makes it dramatic and fun. Jane, you may like to know that the Core Four are very nicely represented. The top four picks are rather obvious, though the order may not be…say no more, see for yourselves…
Thanks for the pics John, sounds like you had a great day.
We listened to the game on the radio, but after Antonella’s comment, I had to see Mo’s interview. I’ve never seen him so animated. It is here:
http://web.yesnetwork.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=16323547
There is also video from the Old Timer’s Game on the YES site. I’ve taped the game and will watch later.
Yeah, I was there too. Thrilling to see Bernie and Joe’s return; Lou looking relaxed and happy; the tribute to Geno; Coney and Boomer; Doc and Straw; and of course Whitey and Yogi. And what can I say about Tino’s homer? The crowd went nuts! I wished Paulie, Moose, Brosius and Andy (too soon?) could have been there – maybe next year. Caught a little of Girardi’s post-game press conference, and I don’t know if he was joking or serious, but he said that Mo wanted to be “introduced with the old timers” – is that worth a chuckle or an ACK? As for the game, sure it was a little unsettling that we were being pg’d through 4, but the guys were hitting the ball hard and you just knew it was a matter of time before we scored. I love sitting in Swisher country – it’s fun “just because”, but after he hits a bomb to get us back in the game it’s a downright party when he comes back out for the top of the next inning. And the fact that Jorge and Mo made big contributions was the cherry on top of a very nice day.
Nice to see the old timers back… it was weird for me seeing Torre in pinstripes again, with the awkwardness involved around his departure.
Old Timer’s Day would’ve been better if Jeter was there. Especially because it was his birthday yesterday, but, at least he’ll be back with the team soon. I always love Old Timer’s Day, and seeing the former Yankees’ celebrating with the current Yankees’ is always a pleasure. Hopefully, I’ll be able to attend Old Timer’s Day one day!
You weren’t there, YankeeCase? Somehow I figured you’d be in attendance. Maybe next year. I’m sure you’re looking forward to going Wednesday. I missed Michael Kay’s comment about D-Rob – or should I say YOUR comment about D-Rob? LOL. Not to burst your bubble but there were a couple of articles in the last few days saying he would be on the All-Star team so the word is out! I loved the way the guys came back yesterday too. That’s the kind of win (other than a blowout) that makes me feel good about this team. The Fan Cave thing is lame, if you ask me. I still don’t get it.
Sorry you couldn’t go to NY, Antonella. Can you reschedule? I know that series must have been a headache for you, seeing your two fave teams going at it. Glad the Yankees prevailed though. I did see Mo’s interview with Kim Jones and I laughed. I also noticed from the clip before Gene Monahan’s tribute how animated Mo was before it and during it. He seemed to relaxed and happy yesterday and you could see his genuine love for Geno and the old timers. Loved it.
Nice job getting Doc to sign a ball, John. Isn’t he doing that Celebrity Rehab TV show these days? I hope you brought lots of Kleenex for all the crying you were doing. Yogi as a lawn ornament. LOL. He is getting shorter and shorter. I hope he lasts forever. So glad you enjoyed your family day despite the wobbling.
HAHA that your husband said you could play for Nunez, Peg. I said the same thing about myself. He has better range but I bet I wouldn’t have let that ball go through my legs! He does make us miss Jeter all the more at shortstop. I just wish we had a genuine heir apparent at the position so that when Jeter does retire or switch positions, we’ll have somebody great in place.
Will check out the espn rankings, Dave. Next time give us the link!
Thanks for the link to Mo’s interview, Melissa. It’s a must see for anyone who missed it. Just when I think I can’t love him more, I do! He’s the best.
I forgot about Brosius, ladyjane. Hasn’t he come in the past? Can’t remember. Joe wasn’t kidding about Mo wanting to be introduced with the old timers. Watch Melissa’s link to Kim Jones’ interview with him and you’ll see him talking about it. It must be really fun to sit in Swisher country. The guy does like to perform! Glad you were there to enjoy it all.
Seeing Torre in pinstripes felt like old times to me, Jeff. No awkwardness at all. It was as if all the bitterness was gone – at least on the surface.
It would have been nice for Jeter to be there, Juan, but he’s better off getting healed in Tampa so he can come back sooner rather than later. I hope you get to go to OTD soon too.
Per your comment…re: “50 Greatest Yankees”:
http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/news/story?id=6705961
Dave, forgive my denseness but I only got a story about Torre from your link. Did I miss something?
Jane,
When I used Bob/Dave’s link it took me to the Torre article, but about half-way down on the right side of the text there was a link to the photos of the 50 Greatest Yankees. It was really cool to see and I even learned a few things. Thanks Dave!!
Melissa,
Thanks for the link. It was great to see Mo so animated. Like Jane, I only get YES at game time, so I don’t normally see those videos. I love that I can come to Jane’s blog and not only read intelligent and positive comments, but learn things from all the other Yankees fan. (And thanks for helping us non-East Coast Yankee fans with links and stories)
OTD is definitely on the baseball bucket list. Someday….
Glad they could pull out a win for everyone that made the game! =)
Ah, thanks for pointing me in the right direction, DJ. I knew that story had to be there somewhere. Dave is right – it’s interesting to see who ranks where on the list of 50. Everyone should check it out and see what they think of the order.
Many of the “Old Timers” were Mo’s age and his team mates. He’s closer to their age than Nunez or Cano’s so maybe he felt he belonged with them!
So true, Melissa. Mo is in that netherworld between active player and Old Timer. He played with so many of the guys that were Old Timers yesterday that it had to be a little weird for him!
Yeah, Robertson has a few things going against him. For one, he’s a set up guy and it’s mostly closers that get to go in relief. Two, there’ll be so many other Yankees that he might get squeezed out… But hopefully someone smart does include him.
And yeah, the Fan Cave thing is…. I don’t know. Glad I didn’t get it, seeing how you can’t ever actually go to a game in person. And I can’t not go to a Yankee game for an entire season…! I mean, come on!
http://yankeecase.mlblogs.com/
I guess it depends on which other relievers/pitchers will be named to the team, YankeeCase. D-Rob got off to a slow start but he’s certainly been All-Star caliber lately. I’d love to see him make it, both because he deserves it and because of his charitable efforts post-tornado. The Fan Cave thing is just weird, IMHO. If the job involved getting to go to every game of your favorite team, that would be one thing. But to sit there and watch TV monitors for a season? Doesn’t do it for me.
That would be great, getting to go to every Yankee game! Although, I would miss out watching them on TV, seeing replays, hearing commentary and all that. I’d have to do radio, but somehow listening to the radio broadcast at the game just doesn’t feel ‘right’. Plus, having to hear John and Suzyn every day might drive me crazy!!
Remember that show on YES, ‘Ultimate Road Trip’? They went to every Yankee game, home and away. At least the first season anyway, until the prize for every day’s challenge was going to the game. I would do that if the show ever came back… I think I’d be great on that show!
http://yankeecase.mlblogs.com/
I wonder why YES didn’t renew the “Ultimate Road Trip” show, YankeeCase. Maybe it was budgetary reasons. I could definitely see you on that!