Tom Tresh, Gone at 71

Former Yankee and AL Rookie of the Year Tom Tresh died on Wednesday of an apparent heart attack. Tresh, who garnered the rookie honors in 1962, was 71 years old.

Tresh grabbed the Yankees starting shortstop position in '62 when incumbent Tony Kubek went into the army. He hit .286-20-93 and helped lead the Yankees to their final World Series title until 1977. He was also a member of the '63-'64 teams that reached the World Series.

“Tommy was a great teammate,” Yankees great Yogi Berra said in a statement. “He did everything well as a ballplayer and was an easy guy to manage.”

“This hurts. He was my roommate for six years of my life, my hitting instructor and my best friend. He let me be me, but he was also the guy who kept me in at night,” longtime teammate Joe Pepitone said.

“Tommy was a constant in my life and a calming influence. He was always there for me and stuck up for me. He was like my brother. When I had personal issues, he was always the person on the team I would turn to. During some rain delays, he would take out his guitar and we’d sing and dance,” he said.

Tresh played with the Yankees until 1969 when he was dealt to the Detroit Tigers for Ronnie Woods. He was a three time All-Star and won a gold glove playing outfield in 1965. He also hit .321 in the '62 World Series. We send out our thoughts and prayers to his family.

Share

A Wonderful Night

Share

The Numbers

Share

End of Days

Robinson Cano singled to snap a scoreless tie in the bottom of the ninth and the Yankees won for the seventh time in nine games, 1-0. Mariano Rivera picked up the win after entering, dare we say it, a tie game. Disturbing isn't the word for it, but the Yankees celebrated like they had just won the pennant. More disturbing was the ninth inning pitch Derek Jeter took off his left hand/wrist, the same area that Daniel Cabrera plunked back in May. X-Rays were negative and you can bet your ass he'll be in the lineup tonight though.

But enough about that.

This is it, the final day of the Stadium. In case you haven't realized it by now, it's perfectly acceptable to refer to Yankee Stadium as merely "the Stadium". Every Yankee fan knows what you mean. It's like saying "the Garden" for Madison Square Garden.

It's an emotional day for many. It's a place where so many of us spent our youth. Where so many great moments took place. Among those we witnessed in person - Game 2 of the 1981 World Series, David Cone's 20th win in 1998, Bobby Murcer's opening day grand slam in 1981, the first Sunday game in the renovated Stadium in 1976, Derek Jeter tying Lou Gehrig's home hit record last Sunday, El Duque's return to Pinstripes, Phil Rizzuto Day, combined with Tom Seaver's 300th win in 1985, Bobby Murcer Day in 1983. Countless home runs by Reggie Jackson and Bobby Murcer, the return to glory in '76-'78', and again from '96-'01.

Our first game on August 30, 1970, a 5-2 win over the Twins. Seeing Mickey Mantle, Joe D., Tommy Henrich, Whitey Ford, Yogi Berra, Bill Dickey, Casey Stengel, and more on Old Timers Day in the early '70s. Being at the Old Timer's Day when number 8 was retired for the two Hall of Fame catchers, Berra and Dickey. Bat Day, 1971, and getting our Bobby Murcer bat. And so many more. We have countless programs and yearbooks from those days, some of them with autographs. On and on it goes, so many memories, remembered with joy much more than with tears.

As watch today's coverage on ESPN and ESPN Classic (we've seen Boomer's perfecto, Coney's perfecto, and now Game 5 of the 2001 Series), and YES, and listen to the local ESPN radio, here's some more great stuff to read about the Stadium.

Reggie reflects on the 2001 World Series.

"Writer" George Steinbrenner talks about the finale.

Steve Serby does a Q & A with Bob Sheppard. The Daily News with a profile as well.

Rudy Guiliani reflects on the '96 WS.

Mike Vaccaro's 100 classic Stadium moments.

About the, gulp, dismantling of the HTRB.

Pettitte reflects on his final start. Another take here.

Kevin Kernan talks to some of the real veterans, the vendors.

A look from Boston's Bob Ryan.

Steve Politi looks at the House the Fans Built.

Retired beat writer Moss Klein (this is the guy we grew up reading) looks back.

Stadium magic bridges generations.

Peter Abraham's fondest memories. And he takes a look back.
"Writer" Billy Crystal looks back.

Henry Kissinger, yes, Henry Kissinger looks back.

Tyler Kepner looks back.

A very cool virtual tour of the Stadium from Newsday.

You can even take a vintage subway to today's game.

You can go home again when home is the Stadium.

Buster Olney gets opponents views.

Bob Klapisch looks back.



Goodbye old friend.

Share

The Daily Yankeeland - 9/12

What's left of the season? Finger pointing of course, by those who hadn't done it as of yet. Bob Raissman says it only took Michael Kay and company 144 games to rip the Yankees a new one. Neil Best has his take on this new twist on the YES Network.

Mike Lupica says it's the "House that Ruth Built", but the Yankees are bringing it down.

Joe Girardi says he'll take the blame. Tyler Kepner says you can blame the offense.

On the bright side, Bernie Williams has confirmed he will be attending the Yankee Stadium closing ceremonies. Bernie Baseball was performing at Robinson Cano's Foundation Fundraiser at Frankie & Johnny's Pine Restaurant in the Bronx.

Scott Patterson, who we thought would be a major contributor to the Yankees this season, started out well in the minors and then was mediocre. The Yankees released him to make room on the 40-man roster for Humberto Sanchez, and he's already pitching for the San Diego Padres.

Hank is trying to play George again. He's going to put a "committee" (baseball people?) together and Cashman could lose power. Here's a look at it from the Post, the News, and Peter Abraham have to say. PeteAbe also has a look at the final homestand.

Whether he'll be a Yankee next season remains to be seen, but either way, Robinson Cano will be working with Kevin Long this season after a very disappointing 2008. Long is planning on making major changes to Cano's swing.

"You're going to see a huge difference visually," Long said. "You'll see less movement, an explosive, compact swing, and you'll probably see more home runs. I think his average will go way up and I think his walks will go way up."

Kat O'Brien takes a look at next season's starting rotation.

Bill Madden spoke with Yogi Berra about his favorite Stadium moments.

Share

The Daily Yankeeland - 8/18

Melky Cabrera played his first game for Scranton on Sunday, going 1-1 with four walks. The walk total is significant since he had only walked four times in total for the Yankees since June 27.

George Willis of the Post says Derek Jeter shows the way.

Telling us something we don't know, the Steinbrenners plan to spend this off-season.

MLB.com's Jack O'Connell looks at how much Yogi Berra is a part of Yankee Stadium.

Maybe Jose Tabata needed a wake up call and/or a fresh start. Dealt as part of the Xavier Nady/ Damaso Marte deal, Tabata has been on fire for the Pirates organization. He was 5-11 with 2 home runs and 7 RBI, in an injury rehab assignment, in four Gulf Coast League games, and his hitting .359-1-5 in nine games for Altoona of the Eastern League. His .903 OPS is 273 points higher than the mark he had put together for Trenton.

The Yankees have added Victor Zambrano to the roster at Trenton.

Share

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. :)

Share

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

Share

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.

Share

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.

Share

Happy Birthday to Lawrence Peter Berra

Yogi turns 83 today. Happy Birthday Yogi!

Share

Jeter and Yogi Team Up for FanFest

MLB has announced that Derek Jeter and Yogi Berra have been named the official spokesmen of this year's DHL All-Star FanFest, to be held at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York from July 11-15.

"DHL All-Star FanFest is a unique event that will bring excitement and enjoyment to baseball fans of all backgrounds," Jeter said. "DHL All-Star FanFest is the largest baseball fan event in the world, and I can't think of a better stage to hold this type of once-in-a-lifetime experience than New York City."

"DHL All-Star FanFest will be great for the fans," said Berra. "And I also agree with everything Jeter said." The DHL All-Star FanFest will feature more than 40 interactive exhibits and attractions, Major League clinics and seminars, free autograph sessions with Yankees legends and Hall of Famers, memorabilia and much more.

Fans will be able to create their own personalized baseball cards, step up and test their pitching and batting skills against life-size video images of their favorite players, examine an exhibit on loan from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, N.Y., and take a look at the world's largest baseball -- 12' in diameter and signed by greats like Ted Williams and Hank Aaron.

Share

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"

Share

Oh, It's Over

"It ain't over 'til it's over". One of the most famous of Yogi Berra's Yogi'isms of all time. Concerning the display of Roger Clemens' jersey at the Yogi Berra Museum in Montclair, N.J., it's over.

The jersey was part of a display about the revitalization of the Yankees in the late 1990's.

“We’re trying to project the positive virtues of baseball,” said David Kaplan, the director of the museum, which has an educational mission. “And we have a lot of kids coming through here who are asking questions we’re not prepared to answer.”

He added that Clemens’s “jersey was raising too many issues” because of his “notoriety.”

After Wednesday's hearing, Kaplan and the museum's COO, Art Berke, decided to remove the jersey from the display. For now it has been placed in storage.

Share

Bobby Murcer, Survivor

The Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) held its' 85th annual dinner last night, and though many awards were handed out, the Milton Richman "You Gotta Have Heart" Award may have proved the biggest hit of the night. The award was given to our main man, Bobby Murcer, Yankees great, broadcaster, and more importantly, cancer survivor.

It was a little over a year ago that Bobby's life suddenly was turned upside down. Complaining about severe headaches, Bobby went to the doctor to get it checked out. An MRI showed a malignant brain tumor. But aggressive treatment and an incredibly positive attitude have helped him to survive.

"The reason I'm here tonight is because of all your love for me. That's what's sustained me and that's what's given me the strength to be here tonight and to fight this deadly disease."

New Yankees manager Joe Girardi presented the award.

"Bobby, you've inspired us with all the hits and the great catches," Girardi said, "but you've never inspired us more than with the way you live your life."

Keep on keepin' on, Bobby!!!

Johnny Damon received the Joan Payson Award for excellence in community service for his work with the Wounded Warrior Project. The association works to help soldiers are who injured in the line of duty. Army Capt. Tony Odierno, who lost his left arm in Iraq, was one of the presenters. Damon was quite moved by the award.

"I'm not that emotional of a person," Damon said, pausing several times to compose himself. "But for the freedoms that we have, we all should pay more attention to a gentleman like Tony who goes out and fights for it.

"We're going to make these guys come home and live normal lives, and feel like they're a part of our country still."

Other recipients on the evening were Jimmy Rollins (NL MVP), who took a good natured shot from Mets' manager Willie Randolph - "You going to make some predictions today?", and Alex Rodriguez received the player of the year award from Yogi Berra, who may also have delivered the line of the night in true Yogi fashion. “You’re pretty good.”

Other award winners included Joba Chamberlain (Joe DiMaggio “Toast of the Town” Award), and Eric Wedge (Manager of the Year).

Share

Old-Timers Day Still a Treat

Not many teams, if any other than the Yankees, still have old-timers day. Of course not many teams have the legacy of the NY Yankees either. The names and faces have changed over the years, but old-timers day is still a treat that I look forward to every year.

I attended several of these festivities as a kid in the early 1970s. It was special seeing these Hall of Fame players, the greats, all in the old Stadium. I remember Elston Howard legging out an inside the park home run that went to the old scoreboard in left-center field. Yesterday his widow, Arlene, was in attendance.

Joe D., Mickey, Yogi, Bill Dickey, Mrs. Ruth, Mrs, Gehrig, Frankie Crossetti, Scooter, Lefty Gomez, Casey Stengel, Mel Allen, the list goes on and on. It was quite amazing.

Now my boys are the old-timers. Bobby Murcer, Reggie Jackson, Graig Nettles, Bucky Dent, Goose, Mick the Quick, Ed Figueroa. Part of yesterday's celebration was the 30th anniversary of the 1977 team, the first WS champion in 15 years. Thurman's widow Diane, and Catfish's widow Helen were both there, as well as Billy Martin Jr.

And of course our more recent heroes. Donnie Baseball, Paulie, Scott Brosius, Jim Leyritz, Straw.

There aren't too many of the true old-timers left. Scooter sent a message that was read. Whitey and Yogi were there and Luis Arroyo, the first real closer on the Yankees. There was Bob Turley, the Yankees first Cy Young award winner in 1958. And of course Mr. Perfect, Don Larsen.

They don't move like they use to, but they still do in our memories and our dreams.

Share