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Disclaimer: This list is written by a Dodger fan based in Los Angeles who will never set foot in the original Yankee Stadium, but recognizes the historical value of this venue, akin to another ...

Open Mic: Top 10 Best Yankee Stadium Moments From A Dodger Fan's POV

by J.C. Ayvazi (Columnist)

15

1412 reads

Rankings/List

September 07, 2008


Disclaimer:  This list is written by a Dodger fan based in Los Angeles who will never set foot in the original Yankee Stadium, but recognizes the historical value of this venue, akin to another stadium that is close to his heart—the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.  Please note—this list is limited solely to sporting events. 

10. 11/20/60, Chuck Bednarik knocks out Frank Gifford—This play took place a few months before I was born, but I swear I could feel in while still in the womb.  OK, not really, but as far as knockout blows are concerned, this has to be one of the all timers. 

Gifford is quoted later that it wasn’t a cheap shot saying, “If he wanted to, Chuck could have killed me.”  He later added, "It was perfectly legal, if I'd had the chance, I'd have done the same thing Chuck did."

Gifford’s injury caused him to sit out the 1961 season.  Frank returned in ’62, switched from running back to flanker (as the wide receiver position was known as at that time), and regained his pro bowl status at the new position. 

Years later, no matter how annoying Howard Cosell could have gotten during the years Gifford and Cosell worked together on Monday Night Football, Frank could always tell himself Howard wasn’t that bad in comparison to Chuck.

9.  10/17/03, Aaron “F#@&ing” Boone—A game winning home run in the 11th inning of game seven of the AL Championship Series over their blood enemy, the Boston Red Sox, advance the New York Yankees to the World Series. 

In the game that was to become Grady Little’s Waterloo, a tiring Pedro Martinez gets Nick Johnson for the first out of the eighth inning then allows four consecutive hits to tie up the game before Little removes him.  Alan Embree and Mike Timlin stop the bleeding, sending the game into extra innings. 

After recording a 1-2-3 tenth, Red Sox hurler Tim Wakefield’s first pitch in the 11th inning is belted by Boone into the left field seats and becomes another page of lore in this rivalry, just the kind of thing I would expect a good USC Trojan to do.  And then, there is that special nickname Boone will always enjoy in Beantown.

8.  10/1/61, Roger Maris Hits 61st Homer—Maris eclipses Babe Ruth’s single season record for home runs despite intensely negative media coverage from reporters who do not want to see Babe Ruth’s record broken.

Hitting in the same lineup as Mickey Mantle, who made his own assault on the record in 1956 resulting in brickbats from the New York writers, Maris had an additional burden heaped upon him.  Due to the 1961 season being an expansion season with new franchises in Los Angeles and Kansas City, the season is expanded by 8 games from 154 to 162. 

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15 comments Last one added 9 months ago — Leave a Comment

  1. J.C. Ayvazi 10 months ago

    Feel free to post your memories as we say goodbye to an American treasure.

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  2. Mitch at sportschatplace.com 10 months ago

    Thanks for the read.

    Best memory by far:

    I'm at a game sitting two rows behind the Bombers on deck circle, it's like the 6th inning and Mel Hall is on deck. If you don't remember Hall he wanted to fight Mike Tyson, pretty tough guy. So my friend yells out"hey Hall, why don't you swing at the first pitch like you did the first two times you were up and fly out". Then the guy behind us yells out "Hall, you're a zero". Hall turns around, looks at my friend and says "you got a problem?", He repeats this several times as he walks towards us. Hall then climbs into the stands followed by Bucky Dent, Don Mattingly, Dave Winfield and the entire Yankee team trying to restrain Hall. Security quickly came and hauled my friend out of the place but I got to shake hands with the entire Yankee team though we never did get the company seats again. I'll never forget it.

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  3. Miah D. 10 months ago

    september 21, 2008: it will be the last game (well, regular season game but it looks like it is going to be the last one) at the Yankee stadium. I am not the biggest yankee fan ever, but I guess that will count as one of the most memorable moments off all times for all sports fans.

    great list,

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    • J.C. Ayvazi 9 months ago

      You are right Miah, sure looks like the Yanks are cashing in their chips as far as the playoffs are concerned.

      While the Sept 21 will be a day for nostalgia, don't know if you can say it will qualify as one of the most memorable moments unless the game itself is fantastic.

      Do you rank the ceremonies the night the Montreal Forum closed as one of the best moments in that venue's history? Lou Gehrig's farewell was unique as it was a HOF player who didn't have long to live due to a terrible illness. I don't think you can put a facility closing in the same boat.

      Of course, your mileage may vary. Thanks for your comments.

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  4. Michael Oleszek 9 months ago

    Sat in the bleachers when Boston came to town, Yankees faded late, ruined my trip to the Bronx, but was able to get some revenge last year when I was in Boston for the first game after A-Rod's stripper incident. Yanks won that night, while Boston fans chanted 'Where's your stripper?' Great times.

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    • J.C. Ayvazi 9 months ago

      Thanks for your memories Michael.

      Being in FLA, do you go to spring training games? It amazes me the difference in perception between baseball and football exhibition games. Of course, price is a factor.

      Doesn't Fenway have poles in the visiting team dugout 8^D

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  5. Jordan Schwartz 9 months ago

    Slightly skewed toward the Dodgers, but still a good list, J.C. I was at that Boone game and it was unreal.

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    • J.C. Ayvazi 9 months ago

      Hey Jordan, thanks for your comments.

      That's why I lead with the disclaimer, didn't want to try and sandbag anyone.

      That Boone game was something alright. Glad you enjoyed the game and article. What else would you say should have been on the list?

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  6. L.J. Burgess 9 months ago

    Skewed Dodger style is A-OK with me.

    I have lots of pictures of the two NFL moments you listed.

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    • J.C. Ayvazi 9 months ago

      Thanks L.J. for this and your comment on my bio page. You are right, I didn't use the Brooklyn venacular, instead I used the King's (Vin Scully's) English 8^D

      Are those pic's prints or electronic? Be very happy to see some of them.

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  7. Raider Card Addict 9 months ago

    Have to say, what happened on October 8, 1956 will probably be hard to forget. Don Larsen throws the only Perfect game in World Series History....even time couldn't remove that.
    Never before, or since.

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    • J.C. Ayvazi 9 months ago

      Thanks for commenting RCA. That one always left a bad taste due the last strike being closer to Union City, NJ than the strike zone.

      The disclaimer is there for a reason 8^|

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  8. L.J. Burgess 9 months ago

    I'll scan some for you...maybe next week though.

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