Via Bryan Hoch, former manager Joe Torre has accepted an invitation to attend the 2011 edition of Old Timer’s Day. He was at GMS Field for the first time since leaving the Yankees today, presumably taking care of some stuff given his new position as MLB’s VP of Baseball Operations. Torre returned to Yankee Stadium for the first time late last year, when the team unveiled the George Steinbrenner monument in Monument Park. After a somewhat ugly divorce, it appears the two sides are mending fences, and I’m glad to see it.
2010 Old Timer’s Day Thread
Less than 24 hours after paying tribute to George Steinbrenner and Bob Sheppard, the Yankees will hold their annual celebration of the team’s storied history this afternoon. Ah yes, Old Timer’s Day. One of my favorite days of the season.
The Yanks are the only team that could pull off an event like this, honoring all the great players that have donned their uniform. Some of them weren’t even great, but they’re all beloved because of their contributions to the team. It’s like a big family reunion, it’s the one time a year we get to catch up with some old friends.
Sadly, one friend that won’t be in attendance today is Yogi Berra. Sweeny Murti reports that he fell in his home last night, and even though nothing is broken and he’s still in one piece, he’s bruised and sore and will not make the trip out. I know I’m not alone in wishing him a speedy recovery.
The Old Timer’s Day festivities begin at 2pm ET and can be seen on YES. LoHud has the exact schedule and the list of who’s attending, but I prefer to be surprised.
Open Thread: Big Daddy comes back
It’s getting to be that time of year again, Old Timer’s Day. Yeah, it feels like last year’s just ended, but sure enough the 2010 edition is just a week and a day away. The usual cast of characters will be in attendance of course, but there will be at least one rookie Old Timer this year according to Ed Price: Cecil Fielder. Big Daddy spend a season and a half in the Bronx, and is known more for the 13 homers he hit in the second half of 1996 than the 13 he hit during the entire 1997 season. He also hit a stout .308/.390/.519 in 14 postseason games in ’96, playing first regularly over Tino Martinez in the World Series. I’m looking forward to seeing him.
Here’s tonight’s open thread, if you happen to be home on this Friday evening. Talk about whatever you want.
Game 110: Old Timers’ Day
The weather isn’t great today, but hopefully the baseball gods are merciful and allow today’s Old Timers’ Day ceremonies go as planned. With more Old Timers’ on hand than ever before, today not only honors the great Yankees of yesteryear, but will also allow us to celebrate the life of Thurman Munson, who was killed in a plane wreck 29 years ago today.
While it just won’t be the same without Scooter and Bobby, today will be a welcome pick-me up for all Yankees’ fans out there. Personally, I’m most looking forward to seeing Coney, Jimmy Key, Straw & Boomer. It’s also pretty badass that Graeme Lloyd, Aaron Small & Mike Stanley will be in the house too. Oh, and Ed Price says we might be in for a surprise too.
The festivities start at 1:30 on YES, with the game following at 3:55 on FOX. The introductions are the best part, don’t miss it.
1. Damon, DH
2. Jeter, SS
3. Abreu, RF
4. A-Rod, 3B
5. Giambi, 1B
6. X(BH) Nady, LF
7. Betemit, 2B – Cano’s got a sore hand
8. Melky, CF
9. Molina, C
And on the mound this Old Timers’ Day, the oldest current Yankee, Mike Mussina.
Notes: The Yanks played the Halos on Old Timers’ Day last year too, losing an error-filled extra innings affair … here’s Ben’s pics from that day …
Not-so-old timers set to join Old Timers Day
Nothing makes a young fan feel old quite like Old Timers’ Day. In the past, Old Timers’ had long been the purview of players I never knew growing up. Sure, Don Mattingly’s made a few token appearances, but not until last year when Paul O’Neill and Scott Brosius show up did Old Timers’ Day really hit home. This year, it’s going to be even worse. The Yanks yesterday announced the cast of characters for the Old Timers’ Day set for Saturday, August 2.
On that list are a bunch of guys making their first appearances whom I grew up watching: Tino Martinez, Pat Kelly, Jimmy Key, Graeme Lloyd, Ramiro Mendoza, Jeff Nelson, Tim Raines, Rickey Henderson, Tony Fernandez and Buck Showalter. Kevin Maas, Wade Boggs, Steve Balboni and Jesse Barfield are set to make appearances as well. If these guys are Old Timers, well, that’s just a reflections on the whims of age in baseball.