Some Snapshots From Old-Timers' Day

My first Old-Timers' Day was definitely a worthwhile experience.  In fact, it was better than the regular Yankee game that followed, which probably isn't a surprise considering the current state of the team.  Although, I think I may have found them a first baseman!  Hideki Matsui played first (the outfield on his team was Rickey Henderson, Bernie Williams and Paul O'Neill), and he went yard.  He's not much older than Alex Rodriguez and Carlos Beltran.  The Old-Timers' Day homer came on his 42nd birthday.  He doesn't think so, but I think Matsui could totally hold his own in the Majors today.

Anyway, if I had to declare an MVP of the Old-Timers' game, Matsui would be it.  Cone came in to face him again and gave up a single, which started the winning rally.  All in all, a good day for Hideki Matsui.

Matsui got a great ovation, but so did a number of other Yankee legends in attendance (the best one probably went to Lou Piniella).  John Wetteland, the 1996 World Series MVP, returned for the first time and got a great hand.  So did everyone else from the 1996 team, which I can't believe was 20 years ago.  Speaking of anniversaries, Don Larsen's World Series perfect game was 60! years ago.  And the 86-year-old Larsen, who used a walker, but got out there on his own, got one of the loudest ovations of the day.

Larsen wasn't the only old guy there.  One player who made his Old-Timers' Day debut was Eddie Robinson.  His career wasn't distinguished by any means, but at 95, he's the oldest living Yankee.  Meanwhile, Dr. Bobby Brown, a regular guest, is the last remaining member of the 1947 World Championship team, making him the oldest living Yankee World Champion.  Robinson and Brown both threw out ceremonial first pitches prior to the Old-Timers' game.

One Yankee who wasn't in attendance was Yogi Berra.  This was the first Old-Timers' Day since Yogi's death, and his absence was felt.  John Sterling became choked up when saying the tributes the Yankees were paying him.  For the Old-Timers' game, they used special Yogi baseballs and Yogi bases.  All of the players also wore Yogi's number 8 on their left sleeve, just like the current Yankees have all season.

Oh, and we were welcomed by Bob Sheppard.  That recognizable voice hasn't been heard at the Stadium since Derek Jeter retired.  Current PA announcer Paul Olden does a great job (and he actually sat on the field and did play-by-play of the Old-Timers' game with broadcasting legend Bob Wolff), but there's something about hearing Bob Sheppard's voice that is missed.

It's still too soon for Jeter and Pettitte and Posada.  They'll come back eventually, just like Bernie Williams and Paul O'Neill did, but you can understand them wanting to put some distance between their playing days and coming back for Old-Timers' Day.  But hearing Bob Sheppard made me think of what needs to happen when the last member of that group starts appearing in the Old-Timers' game.

For the most part, the Old-Timers' game is very casual.  Guys seem to bat whenever they want and change positions all the time.  You even get guys playing out of position, as Ron Guidry replaced Matsui at first base when he went to the outfield.  As for pitching changes, they just walk out of the dugout and take over for whoever's currently pitching.  That won't work with Mariano Rivera.  When he comes into the game, the bullpen door will have to swing open to the sound of "Enter Sandman."  We've still got a couple years before that happens, but imagine what the reaction will be when it finally does.  (As long as they do it my way.)

Overall, my first Old-Timers' Day was a great experience.  Sure, the regular game could've been better, but it was nice to see the Stadium full for a change.  And the whole point was to cheer on some of the greats that have made the Yankees what they are.  It's been that way for 70 years, and it'll be that way for 70 more.

If you want to see pictures, I've got a gallery up on Facebook.