Old Timers' Day At Yankee Stadium

In the presence of over 70 ex-Yankees, the current Yanks defeated a blue-hot Angels squad today. Old Timers' Day is one of the most anticipated events at Yankee Stadium each year, and this year, the final Old Timers' Day at the current Stadium, was the most-attended of all 62.

There were a lot of virtual unknowns among the 70-plus, including: Steve Balboni, Paul Blair, Johnny Blanchard, Scott Bradley, Andy Carey, Horace Clarke, Jerry Coleman, Ron Davis, Brian Doyle, Eli Grba, Pat Kelly, Gene “Mickey” Klutts, Johnny Kucks, Kevin Maas, Gil Patterson, Charlie Silvera, Wayne Tolleson, Jeff Torborg, Tom Tresh, and Bob Turley.

Other more notable players (some more notable than others) were: Jim Abbott, Luis Arroyo, Jesse Barfield, former Mets bench coach Don Baylor, Dr. Bobby Brown, former hitting coach Chris Chambliss, Bucky Bleepin' Dent, Al Downing, Tony Fernandez, Ed Figueroa, Oscar Gamble, former pitching coach Ron Guidry, Tommy John, the incredible Don Larsen, Hector Lopez, Graig Nettles, Joe Pepitone, Bobby Richardson, Mickey Rivers, Ken Griffey, Sr., Mike Torrez.

Of course, I'm always pumped for the new-timers, guys who I've actually seen play, including: Wade Boggs, Homer Bush, Rickey Henderson (although I didn't really see him with the Yanks), Jimmy Key, Mr. October Reggie Jackson, Graeme Lloyd, Ramiro Mendoza (proud member of the troica), the great Tino Martinez, Jeff Nelson (another proud member of the troica-- all that's missing is Mike Stanton), Aaron Small, Tim Raines, 2000 World Series hero and former third-base coach Luis Sojo, Gene Michael, Mike Stanley, and of course, David Wells. Wells wasn't the only Boomer on hand: Ron Bloomberg was there as well, taking time off from managing the Beit Shemesh Blue Sox in the Israeli Baseball League.

Whitey, Yogi, and Goose (new HOFer) were there, of course. Donnie Baseball was not, and while that's obviously understandable, he was missed.

Also there were current members of the Yankees coaching staff: Joe Girardi, Bobby Meacham, Dave Eiland, and Rich Monteleone. Yankees broadcasters were there as well, including Al Leiter, Paul O'Neill, and David Cone. Even Sny was nice enough to let Darryl Strawberry take the day off and participate. And ESPN allowed Buck Showalter to come as well.

Dave Winfield was there, although I'm pretty sure he thought it was San Diego Padres Old Timers' Day.

Bill “Moose” Skowron was there, but that's probably because he heard Moose was pitching today, and thought that meant him.

Willie Randolph showed up. Thanks to the Mets to firing him so he could be there.

Some Old Timers' widows were in attendance, including: Arlene Howard (widow of Elston), Helen Hunter (widow of Jim), Jill Martin (widow of Billy), Diana Munson (widow of Thurman), and Cora Rizzuto (widow of Phil), who threw out the first pitch, caught by our very own Captain Jeter. Diana Murcer, widow of the recently departed Bobby, was not in attendance.

I was a little disappointed that Bernie Williams remains hidden under a rock.

I can't wait to see future Old Timers' Days, featuring current and recent stars, like Pettitte, Posada, Mo, Giambi, Canoe, Joba, Wang, Rodriguez (Ivan, that is), Edwar, Sexson, Moeller, Hawkins, Ponson, Enrique Wilson, Chris Widger, Rondell White, QuanGor, Juan Acevedo, Antonio Osuna, Todd Zeile, John Vander Wal, Jaret Wright, and Doug Mientkiewicz. Still waiting for Knoblauch, Velarde, Canseco, Hayes, and Chili to show up.

Too bad we'll never get to see the Captain at OTD, as he's never going to retire.

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