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All the President's Men

With the Democratic and Republican conventions occurring over the next few weeks we thought we would roll our All-President's team.

1b Terry Kennedy
2b Homer Bush
SS U.L. Washington
3b Charlie Hayes
LF Hack Wilson
CF Otix Nixon
RF Reggie Jackson
C Gary Carter
RP Grover Cleveland Alexander
RP Walter Johnson
LF Whitey Ford
LP Randy Johnson

MGR - Davey Johnson
The GM? Harding Peterson of course.

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Live Blogging Old Timer's Day

Crappy weather, but hopefully it holds off during today's festivities. They started things out with Michael Kay interviewing the newest Hall of Famer, Goose Gossage.

1:38 PM - A tribute to Bobby Murcer, who was always miked during the OT games.

1:45 PM - Kim Jones talks to new OT attendee Tino Martinez. Some great stories from The Bamtino, including a funny one involving Moose Skowron riding him over the years for not wearing socks to the ball park.

1:51 PM - Paul O'Neill and Al Leiter on field and in uniform. Paulie's 2nd OT game, the 1st for Leiter. Paulie is already hoarse.

1:54 PM - A pre-recorded Bob Sheppard welcomes everyone to Yankee Stadium. Ed Randall, a great baseball man, will do today's intros.

Okay, actually John Sterling and Michael Kay will be doing the intros, Ed Randall just intro'ed them.

As corny as Sterling is, boy does he have the pipes. Kay always sound like he has a mouthful of phlegm (hope you weren't eating).

1:58 PM - The first player introduced is Paul Blair. One of the best CFers we ever say.

1:59 PM - "Tolly", Wayne Tolleson

Jay Johnstone...hard to still imagine he was a Yankee. Also Sterling's 1st radio partner.

And now yes, has lost the sound as Brian Doyle, one of the heroes of the '78 WS, gets intro'ed.

2:00 PM - Rich Monteleone

Steve Balboni or "Balbummy" as we sometimes called him.

The sound is back - Ron Blomberg, the first DH in MLB history. Injuries kept him from a big career.

Mickey Klutts: Not much applause, more "who??"

Scott Bradley: Smooth hitter, never quite had the career we expected. Now head coach at Princeton.

Gil Patterson: A much better pitching coach than he was a pitcher.

Ron Davis: "The Vulture" Won games he blew - was very good and then stupidly traded for Roy Smalley Jr..

Pitching Coach Dave Eiland.

2:04 PM

Pat Kelly - Great to see him back. Still looks like he could play. Had the big home run when the Yankees finally made it back to the playoffs in '95.

Oscar Gamble: The Big "O". No more 'fro, but we always loved the Big O, and how Bob Sheppard would announce his name.

Homer Bush: Wish his career could have been more. What speed in 1998.

2:05 PM

Kevin Maas, the one year wonder. Still looks like a kid.

Bobby Meacham: Lousy player, lousy 3rd base coach.

Jessie Barfield: What a great arm and tremendous power. Never could match the years he had in Toronto.

Al Leiter: ...Who happened to be traded for Barfield. Bad trade.

2:08 PM

Mike Torrez: Our hero in '77 and '78, haha

Ed Figueroa: Great, great regular season pitcher. Stunk in the playoffs. First Puerto Rican born pitcher to win 20 games.

Jim Abbott: You all know the story well. Hard to believe its 15 years since his no-no.

Ken Griffey Jr.: "Before there was Junior, there was Senior". Great intro by Sterling.

2:10 PM

Don Baylor: Always loved seeing him take those big swings. Not too many people remember he was once a tremendous base stealer.

Tony Fernandez: The last Yankee to hit for the cycle in '95.

2:11 PM

Aaron Small: Mr. 10-0 in 2005. What a shock that was and what a tremendous contribution to the Yankees making the post-season.

Tommy John: 288 game winner, much more than just a name on a surgery.

2:12 PM

Mickey Rivers: Mickey the Quick. Thought grammar was a relative. He was so much fun to watch.

Bucky "Bleepin" Dent: :) Hero of the 1 game playoff and the 78 WS MVP. And he hit that home run off Torrez with Rivers' bat.

2:14 PM

Chris Chambliss: There goes that HR off of KC's Mark Littell. The first pennant in 12 years, ending the declinasty. Should have gotten a chance to manage in the bigs.

Jeff Torborg: Long time Yankees coach and a very good major league catcher.

2:15 PM

Buck Showalter: Nice to see him back in Pinstripes for the first time since 1994.

Mike Stanley: The man that caused Joe Girardi to be boo'ed at the Yankee fanfest.

2:16 PM

Graeme Lloyd: What a turnaround. He barely made the post-season roster after being acquired from Milwaukee in '96 and then was dynamite in the playoffs and World Series.

Gene Michael: "The Stick" Give that man a big hand, he helped save the team from George.

2:17 PM

Ramiro Mendoza: What a 1999 playoff series he had against Boston.

Jimmy Key: What a tremendous acquisition. Gave the team credibility, and won the clincher in the '96 WS. He's silver and bald - it has been a while.

2:19 PM

Luis Sojo: "Coney, how come you don't have a dance?" Everyone loves Luis.

Joe Pepitone: 1st hair dryer in the clubhouse - for a toupee no less.

2:20 PM

Al Downing: A great pitcher, mostly remembered for surrending Hank Aaron's 715th home run while a member of the Dodgers.

Jerry Coleman: Hall of Fame broadcaster, but had a great career as the Scooter's double play partner.

2:21 PM

Eli Grba: 1959-1960 Yankees. Obviously not too well remembered by the crowd.

Andy Carey: 3rd Baseman from 1952-1960. Unfortunately, in a wheelchair.

2:22 PM

Charlie Silvera: '48-'56. I remember seeing these guys in 1972-73.

2:23 PM

Horace Clarke: I just had a nightmare flashback to the late '60s/early '70s.

Luis Arroyo: Unbelievable 1961 season as a closer before there were closers.

2:24 PM

Dr. Bobby Brown: Great 3rd baseman, former AL League President.

Hector Lopez: '59 - '66; tremendous sub (that's from others, not our recollection). Always comes to OT day.

2:25 PM

Rickey "I love me" Henderson: I actually hear a few boo's while Sterling intro's. Nice hand though.

Is Billy Crystal considered an old-timer?

2:26 PM

Tim "Rock" Raines: What a graet hitter. Definite Hall consideration.

Jeff Nelson: A big combo with Stanton (all but '96) in the pen in 4 WS.

2:27 PM

Daryl Strawberry: "The Straw" gets a big hand. Stay clean Straw.

David Wells: Look at Boomer! He may ask for a tryout while he's here. Did Sterling really just say he had many "huge" victories- with a wink in his voice.

2:28 PM

David Cone: Actually, Coney and Wells probably couldn't be worse than the current back end of the rotation.

2:29 PM

Some guy named Joe Girardi. ;)

Little Dante Girardi looks good in '27 too.

2:30 PM

Tom Tresh: AL ROY in 1962 Didn't quite live up to his hype, but was a good ball player. His Dad, Mike, played in the bigs too.

2:31 PM

Bullet Bob Turley: Look him up in your record books. One of the most clutch Yankee performers, especially in the '58 series.

Bobby Richardson: Tremendous 2nd baseman. We believe he is the only losing player to win the WS MVP, in 1960.

2:32 PM

Johnny Blanchard: Probably would have been a regular on another team if not for Yogi and Ellie Howard in front of him. Tremendous power.

Don Larsen: Greatest game ever pitched in Yankee Stadium. 'Nuff said. :)

2:33 PM

Bill "Moooooooose" Skowron: Tremendous power. Recently said he didn't keep his '63 WS ring he won with the Dodgers.

2:34 PM

Graig Nettles: What a 3rd baseman!

2:35 PM

Paul O'Neill: :)))))))))))

2:36 PM
Tino Martinez: :The Bamtino!" And, yes, Kay had to say "Constantino Martinez" haha. Great high 10 with Paulie.

2:38 PM

Ron Guidry: "The Gator". Never ever forget the '78 season he had. Sigh - I wish his catcher was there. Whispered to Paulie: "Nice ovation, kid".

2:39 PM

WILLIE RANDOLPH: :)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
"Once a Yankee, always a Yankee" screamed out by Michael Kay. Great job. And Willie is so appreciative of the huge ovation he's getting. :) A long, great ovation for one of the classiest guys around.

2:41 PM

Wade Boggs: Hall of Fame career, Hall of Shame Hair ;)

2:42 PM

Dave Winfield: If you never saw him play in his prime, you missed something special. A true 5-tool player.

2:43 PM

Rich "Goooooooose" Gossage: Too bad Louuuuuuuuuuuuu isn't there.

Amazing how many Hall of Famers have played in the Pinstripes.

2:44 PM

Reginald Martinez Jackson: "Mr. October" Say what you want about him, he was clutch.
Wow, its been 15 years since he went into the Hall.

It's not looking like Bernie will be there :(

2:45 PM

Whitey Ford: The Chairman of the Board.

2:46 PM

Yogi Berra: The man, the myth, the legend.

2:48 PM

Arlene Howard, widow of Elston Howard: What a great player and gentleman Ellie was.

Jill Martin, widow of Billy the Kid.

2:49 PM

Helen Hunter, wife of the great Catfish: One of the best pitcher we ever saw - money in the big games.

2:50 PM

Diane Munson: Widow of the Captain. 29 years ago today - WOW.

Guidry, Reggie, Willie...when did my boys get so old?

2:51 PM

Cora Rizzuto, widow of the Scooter. His beloved Cora :(

2:53 PM

Michael Kay talking about the magnificence of the Yankees organizations: "They are once and forever, New York Yankees."

2:54 PM

Time to remember those who have passed from the Yankees and MLB. Too many to remember, but here are some memorables.

Johnny Podres

Tommy Holmes

Joe Nuxhall

John McHale

Bill Robinson

Tommy Byrne

Phil Rizzuto

Bobby Murcer

2:56 PM

The National Anthem, sung by the late, great Robert Merrill, who wore number 1 1/2 at OT games.

2:59 PM

Cora Rizzuto throws out the ceremonial first pitch. A little delay while someone comes to get it and, appropriately it's Derek Jeter.

You Jeter haters: How can you hate a guy who does so many things right as a person, never mind as a player?

3:02 PM

Al Leiter warming up with Luis Sojo: Leiter says he's trying to hurt Luis' hand to get him back for that 10-hopper back in the 2000 WS. He's jokingly trying to impress Girardi too. Good stuff.

Singleton: "Who is starting Al?" Leiter: "Mussina" Singleton: "In the old timers game."

3:05 PM

Kim Jones talking to Reggie about Rickey Henderson's pending Hall of Fame election. Now talking about Willie Randolph's warm reception.

3:06 PM

Game about to begin with Goose on the mound. That's going to do it for the live blogging for now. Hopefully, someone followed it besides us. :)

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Old Timer's Day Festivities

The Yankees sent out a press release this morning, which PeteAbe courtiously printed out, updating the list of players attending tomorrow's Old-Timer's Day. Sadly, Bernie Williams is still not on the list, and Willie Randolph is not among the retirees either. And Lou Piniella and Don Mattingly will be busy managing and coaching. And its unfortunate that NYC firefighter and former Yankee, Frank Tepedino is nto among those listed.

The Hall of Fame Class: Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Reggie Jackson, Wade Boggs, Dave Winfield, and Goose Gossage.

The Widows: Arlene (Elston) Howard, Helen (Catfish) Hunter, Diane (Thurman) Munson, Jill (Billy) Martin, and Cora (Phil) Rizzuto. The sad/ironic part here is that it will be the 29th anniversary of Thurman Munson's death. Our thoughts, of course, will also be with Kay Murcer.

There will be at least one Yankee to represent every championship team since 1947. That includes 1996 team members that are at their first OT game. Tino Martinez, Jeff Nelson, Pat Kelly, Graeme Lloyd, Ramiro Mendoza, Tim Raines, and Jimmy Key.

Other newbies include Rickey Henderson (who will join the Hall class one day), Al Leiter, David Wells, Mike Stanley, Dave Eiland, Buck Showalter, Jeff Torborg, Don Baylor, Wayne Tolleson (we can hear Ken Harrelson saying, "Tolly"), Tony Fernandez, and Aaron Small.

Here is the up to date list.

Jim Abbott
Luis Arroyo
Steve Balboni
Jesse Barfield
Don Baylor
Yogi Berra
Paul Blair
Johnny Blanchard
Ron Blomberg
Wade Boggs
Scott Bradley
Dr. Bobby Brown
Homer Bush
Andy Carey
Chris Chambliss
Horace Clarke
Jerry Coleman
David Cone
Ron Davis
Bucky Dent
Al Downing
Brian Doyle
Dave Eiland
Tony Fernandez
Ed Figueroa
Whitey Ford
Oscar Gamble
Joe Girardi
Rich “Goose” Gossage
Eli Grba
Ken Griffey, Sr.
Ron Guidry
Rickey Henderson
Arlene Howard (widow of Elston)
Helen Hunter (widow of Jim)
Reggie Jackson
Tommy John
Pat Kelly
Jimmy Key
Gene “Mickey” Klutts
Johnny Kucks
Don Larsen
Al Leiter
Graeme Lloyd
Hector Lopez
Kevin Maas
Jill Martin (widow of Billy)
Tino Martinez
Bobby Meacham
Ramiro Mendoza
Gene Michael
Rich Monteleone
Diana Munson (widow of Thurman)
Jeff Nelson
Graig Nettles
Paul O’Neill
Gil Patterson
Joe Pepitone
Tim Raines
Bobby Richardson
Mickey Rivers
Cora Rizzuto (widow of Phil)
Buck Showalter
Charlie Silvera
Bill “Moose” Skowron
Aaron Small
Luis Sojo
Mike Stanley
Darryl Strawberry
Wayne Tolleson
Jeff Torborg
Mike Torrez
Tom Tresh
Bob Turley
David Wells
Dave Winfield

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The First Pitches

Yankee Stadium is a million times greater than any other sports arena so it took 4 people to throw out the first pitch of tonight's All-Star game. Hall of Fame inductees Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Reggie Jackson, and Goose Gossage threw to Joe Girardi, Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, and Mariano Rivera. The baseballs were delivered to home plate by a very emotional George Steinbrenner.

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Returning to the Scene of the Crime

It's been nearly 48 years, but if you're a Yankees fan over the age of 55 it's probably still clear as day (it made our then 9-yr old brother cry). Yogi Berra running back to the left field wall in Forbes Field and then looking up helplessly as Bill Mazeroski's ball cleared the brick for a World Series clinching walk off home run (just think how you felt on Luis Gonzalez's bloop in 2001).

The Yankees return to Pittsburgh for the first time since that World Series when they begin a 3-game series tonight. Forbes Field is long gone, as is Three Rivers Stadium (we went to a game there in 1993 and boy that place was ugly), and has been replaced by a state of the art facility, PNC Park. But the memories linger. We weren't even born when that World Series was played, but we've seen the replay a million times.

All Pirates victories were close, while the Yankees kept winning in blow outs. Mazeroski also homered in game 1, which the home team Pirates captured 6-4. Casey Stengel yanked Yankees starter Art Ditmar after just one-third of an inning.

The Yankees came back with a vengeance in game 2, blasting the Pirates 16-3. Mickey Mantle homered twice and drove in 5 runs, and the Yankees banged out 19 hits. Starter Bob Turley came within one out of a complete game. Under the old MLB saves rule, Bobby Shantz earned a save for getting the final out with a 13 run lead.

Game 3 back in New York was another blow out as Whitey Ford began his approach to Babe Ruth's World Series scoreless streak. The Yankees won 10-0 behind a grand slam and 6 RBI from Bobby Richardson and 4 hits and another home run from Mantle. Ford allowed just 4 hits in tossing the complete game shutout.

Vance Law, who won game 1, came through again in game 4, out dueling Ralph Terry as the Pirates evened the series with a 3-2 win. Law helped his own cause with an RBI double and future Pirates and Yankees manager Bill Virdon singled in 2 runs that proved to be the difference.

Harvey Haddix out pitched Art Ditmar in game 5 as the Pirates took a 3-2 lead in the series. Elroy Face threw 2.2 scoreless innings for the second straight game to pick up the save in the 5-2 win. Ditmar improved on his 1st game performance, this time he lasted 1.1 innings. Mazeroski and Don Hoak drove in 2 runs each.

With their ace on the hill again, the Yankees blew out the Pirates in game 6, 12-0. Richardson drove in 3 runs, and Mantle, Berra, and Ford drove in 2 each. Ford allowed 7 hits this time as he finished off another complete game shutout.

The deciding game was on October 13, a Thursday not a Friday. The Yankees sent Bob Turley, who had pitched so well in winning game 2, to the mound while the Pirates countered with Law, winner of games 1 and 4. Neither would be around at the finish. In fact Turley lasted just 3 batters into the 2nd inning when he was pulled. Law allowed 3 runs over 5 innings.

The Pirates lead 4-0, but the Yankees scored a run on Moose Skowron's home run in the 5th and came up with 4 more in the 6th to take a 5-4 lead. Yogi Berra had the big blow in the inning with a 3-run home run. The Yankees tacked on 2 more in the 8th for what, at the time, probably seemed to be an insurmountable 7-4 lead. But the Pirates rocked the Yankees world in their half of the 8th inning.

After a Gino Cimoli single, the series would all turn on what seemed liked a harmless ground ball by Bill Virdon. The tailor made double play ball hit a pebble, took a bad hop, and struck shortstop Tony Kubek right in the throat. Kubek had to be helped off the field and the Pirates had an unlikely rally going. Bob Skinner sacrificed the runners over and Dick Groat singled to cut the lead to 7-5. But the Yankees looked like they might still escape without further trouble when Jim Coates retired Rocky Nelson on a fly out to Roger Maris in shallow right field. Two on, two out and future Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente at the plate. Clemente singled home Cimoli to cut the lead to 7-6, with Virdon stopping at 3rd base.

While Mazeroski's home run will long be remembered, it never would have happened without Hal Smith. The Pirates catcher connected on a Coates pitch and hit it out for a 3-run HR and an 9-7 Pirates lead. But everyone in the stands and watching at home knew this series wasn't over yet. Not with the vaunted Yankees lineup.

With Bob Friend on the mound, Bobby Richardson lead off the 9th with a single. Pinch-hitter Dale Long followed suit, singling to right. Pirates manager Danny Murtaugh sent for Harvey Haddix, who retired Roger Maris on a foul out. But Mickey Mantle singled to cut the lead in half and his base running helped the Yankees tie the game. Yogi Berra grounded to the 1st baseman Nelson, who stopped on the 1st base bag, thereby removing the force. Mantle made it safely back to first, allowing pinch-runner Gil McDougald to score the tying run.

One of the most exciting World Series would come down to a single pitch. Ralph Terry, who had gotten the final batter in the 8th, faced Mazeroski to start the 9th and the rest, depending on who you root for is either history or misery.

For those of you who are Pirates fans, enjoy. Yankees fan, turn your heads and look away.

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Hall of Fame Honorees

Major League Baseball has announced that more than 40 Hall of Fame members will be honored at this year's All-Star game at Yankee Stadium. It will mark the largest gathering off inductees at an MLB event.

Anthony DiComo of mlb.com reports that among those in attendance on July 15 will be Hank Aaron, Yogi Berra, Bob Feller, Whitey Ford, Reggie Jackson, Cal Ripken Jr. and Frank Robinson. The afternoon of the game will feature a "Red Carpet Parade" along 6th Ave. in Manhattan. Fans in attendance will receive gifts from the Major League mascot thats will line the parade route.

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Rain on the Scarecrow

Opening day is here and the weather is not beautiful. We have a steady light rain falling in western Jersey right now; temp is 40. In the Bronx its mostly cloudy and 45 and there's a 60% chance of rain. Rain is actually more annoying than snow. You may recall that in 1996 it snowed during the opener against Kansas City.

Mr. October does March- Reggie Jackson will be throwing out the first pitch today. A great slugger, a Hall of Fame inductee...but he's not Yogi or Whitey. Goose Gossage just got inducted in the Hall so you would think even he might be the one. Reggie probably campaigned for it.

For those of you too young remember, Reggie was, and probably still is, a piece of work. There are lot of people who are rubbed the wrong way by Alex Rodriguez. They feel there is something phony about his personality and/or he tries to please too many people. Well compared to Reggie, A-Rod is a saint.

Reggie played with a huge chip on his shoulder and they only person he tried to please was himself. A great player on the field, a jerk off of it. The ESPN mini-series, "The Bronx is Burning", only gave you a small insight into Reggie's personality.

Steins in the House - All the Steinbrenner boys, George, Hank, and Hal are expected to be in attendance for today's final season opener in "the" Yankee Stadium.

Emotions Running High - Derek Jeter is one of the most calm, cool, and reserved players, but he's expecting today to be very emotional.

"This year will be emotional," Jeter said. "I really don't know what to expect, but you'll take a look around and try to remember as many things as you can.

"This being the last Opening Day in Yankee Stadium, I'm sure people will let it soak in a little bit more. It's going to be a special year."

They say it's your Birthday - It's an extra special day for Chien-Ming Wang. Besides getting the opening day assignment, today is The Wanger's 28th birthday.

"To be the Opening Day starter is the best birthday gift I could have," Wang said yesterday.

Game 1 of 162 - Play Ball!

Speaking of "Rain on the Scarecrow"

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