Yankees Close Out Stadium With Class

Nobody does it better than the New York Yankees. No one puts on a show like last night like the Yankees. No one closes out one of the greatest place in American history better than the Bronx Bombers. It was truly an amazing expierence to witness history last night.

Before the game we saw legend after legend come out. Each one with their own share of Yankee Stadium magic and they all stood there for the world to see. If you were in the Bronx last night, you will never forget what you saw. If you watched on tv, you will never forget what you saw. If you are a Yankees fan, how could you miss last night’s events? It was surreal, it sent chills up and down your spine, it made you shed a tear or two in you eyes, it was the last call at Yankee Stadium.

The Yankees won the game 7-3 over the Baltimore Orioles. Andy Pettitte got the start in the last game ever…he also got the win and a curtain call for all he’s accomplished at 161st and River. Mariano Rivera came in one last time to “Enter Sandman”. Derek Jeter left the game with two outs in the 9th inning so the fans could address him properly and shower him with love and another curtain call. Then the game was over and the last game ever at Yankee Stadium was in the books. Cue up Frank Sinatra and “New York, New York” and the rest really was history. Jeter and the entire Yankee roster went out to the mound and saluted the fans. Jeter’s speech was one that will be remembered forever. Then Jeter led his teammates around the field one last time a la 1996, when they did the same thing after winning the World Series.

Here’s a transcript of Jeter’s speech:

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“Every member of this organization, past and present, has been calling this place home for 85 years, There’s a lot of tradition, a lot of history and a lot of memories. Now the great thing about memories is you’re able to pass it along from generation to generation.

“Although things are going to change next year. We’re going to move across the street. There are a few things that New York Yankees that never change. That’s pride, tradition and most of all we have the greatest fans in the world.

We want you to take the memories from this stadium, add them to the new memories that come at the new Yankee Stadium and continue to pass them along from generation to generation. So on behalf of the entire organization, we want to take this moment to salute you, the greatest fans in the world.”

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Last night felt like those October nights in the 90’s, it felt like the Yankees won it all one more time. The fans didn’t want to leave, the players didn’t either. You didn’t want to shut off the tv because you thought you were going to miss something special, some more history being made. I made use of my DVR yesterday recording everything Yankees in sight and recording the game and postgame ceremonies both on ESPN and on YES.

I stood in front of my tv as everything started to hit me, this really was the last game in Yankee Stadium history. It’s not like the season is over and we’ll just resume everything in 7 months, this was the last night the Yankees were the Yankees I knew. As I saw the montages put together by ESPN and YES it got to me how much the Yankees have meant to me and how much the moments they show are apart of my life and so many other people out there. I remember where I was for every single moment shown 90’s and on. I’ll always remember where I was and how I felt the night Yankee Stadium closed it’s doors. It’s too bad these Yankees couldn’t reach October this year but at least we knew for sure when the last game was going to be.

Last night was the House That Jeter Closed. All the talk about how Alex Rodriguez may be the greatest player ever and I certainly can side for that, but this will always be Jeter’s team and last night showed you why. He always knows how to handle himself in big spots. How classy was it to salute the fans? Incredible moment and one I appreciated. Jeter is my favorite player so I always enjoy anything he does because he just adds an element of greatness.

I’ve been to many Yankee games over the years and have worked right across the street for the last 5 years and I can say there is no place like Yankee Stadium. It’s not an overstatement, if you never been to the Stadium you wouldn’t understand. The October nights in the 90’s of starring at my tv waiting for another great Yankee moment is priceless. Every pitch, every hit, every homerun meant something and it meant something big. That’s how the Yankees do business. Every night going to be bed knowing that your team is the best in the league and continues the tradition of being the best in sports history is something you can never forget. At least, that’s how the recent Yankees dynasty felt. Now those days are gone and so is Yankee Stadium. It’s time to start letting go and getting back to the reality the Yankees aren’t good enough this year to play for a championship and there will be a new place next season for my favorite team.  Time to  let go but I will never forget the memories Yankee Stadium gave me.

Yankee Stadium 1923-2008
The House That Became A Home