Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Cashman Stays For Three More Years

Hal aint Hank and George is out -- or Cashman would have been fired. Surely George would have fired SOMEONE after failing to make the post-season. I say it's good Cashman stays; heck, I was wrong about Hughes and Kennedy as well.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Mussina Gets 20 Wins!

Let's pray he'll be back next season to get another 15+! Congrats, Mike.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Goodbye Yankee Stadium: The Movie Part 1

Riding the #4 train to the Stadium on Sunday, September 21, 2008.

Goodbye Yankee Stadium: The Movie Part 2

Looking around the bleachers.

Goodbye Part 3

More bleacher watching during the pre-game ceremony.

Goodbye Part 4 -- Bernie's Bow

Bernie Williams gets a final bow at Yankee Stadium during the pre-game ceremony.

Goodbye Part 5 - Bob Shepherd's Video

Watching Bob Shepherd's taped farewell from Section 39.

Goodbye Part 5.5 -- Roll Call By The Bleacher Creatures

The final roll call at Yankee Stadium on Sept 21, 2008. You won't catch a glimpse of Bald Vinny -- too many people crowding around and taking pictures. (Even Spike Lee was there sitting next to him, recording the moment.)

Goodbye Part 6: Cowbell Chant

The cowbell chant in Section 39 on September 21, 2008 - the final game at Yankee Stadium.

Goodbye Part 7 -- Jim Leyritz

Jim Leyritz poses for pictures in Section 39 during the final game at Yankee Stadium on September 21, 2008.

Goodbye Part 7.5 -- One of Jeter's At-Bats

Derek Jeter takes an at-bat at Yankee Stadium during the last game ever played there. He'd been hit by a pitch recently and was in severe pain and would eventually sit out the last two games of the season. But he played this game and never got a hit. As Nannette said after the game (and I've never been prouder of her), That doesn't matter. We won the game and that's all Derek cares about. He could care less about all that personal stuff. We won the game and that's what counts.

Goodbye Part 8 -- Derek Jeter's Last At-Bat

Oh Captain, my Captain.

Goodbye Part 8.5 -- Mariano Rivera Comes In To Pitch

Mariano Rivera -- perhaps the greatest closer in the history of the game -- comes to the mound in the top of the 9th as Metallica's "Enter Sandman" blasts through Yankee Stadium. It's his final trip from the bullpen at Yankee Stadium on the last game ever played there.

Goodbye Part 8.8 -- The Final Out At Yankee Stadium

Derek Jeter is pulled from the game with two outs so we can cheer him one last time. Then Mariano Rivera gets the final out, the Yankees win and Frank Sinatra sings "New York, New York." All seen from Section 39, the Bleacher Creatures on September 21, 2008 -- the final game at Yankee Stadium.

Goodbye Part 9 -- The Last Idiot To Run On The Field

I hate it when people run onto the field. At least this idiot waited until after the game was over. Check out his high kick as they drag him away, a little homage to "New York New York."

Goodbye Part 10 -- Derek Jeter Addresses The Crowd

After the final game at Yankee Stadium, Derek Jeter addresses the crowd. Short, sweet, classy. Of course. As seen by the Bleacher Creatures in Section 39 on Sept 21, 2008.

Goodbye Part 11 -- One Last Peek

One last peek at Yankee Stadium. Walking up the ramp and looking at the field about one hour after the final game was over on Sept. 21, 2008.

Still Saying Goodbye To Yankee Stadium, Part I





Here are some great photos from Roy Groething and his son Eric. Personally, my favorite is the shot of the chipped and faded "39" above the ramp to our seats. All photos are by Roy except the only one that Nannette cares about: the shot of Derek, which Eric took. Thanks for sharing, guys.

Still Saying Goodbye To Yankee Stadium, Part II






More shots from Roy.

Still Saying Goodbye To Yankee Stadium, Part III



Saturday, September 20, 2008

Goodbye Yankee Stadium

Paul Simon's tribute in the New York Times is great. And here is Billy Crystal's essay on his memories of Yankee Stadium. You'll also find links to pieces by everyone from George Steinbrenner to Henry Kissinger there.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Countdown Lever

Michael started this list back in April, but lost the count when he ran off to the south of France. Anyway, if you are interested in seeing who pulled the lever for each home game, now you know.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Touring Yankee Stadium Part 1






Well, the tour of Yankee Stadium was a lot more fun -- and law-breaking -- than I expected. Nina got kicked out for taking photos in the locker room, I had to delete (almost) all of my videos and others secretly took photos of that same locker area and got away with it.

Touring Yankee Stadium Part 1.5 -- Monument Park

Walking around Monument Park on Sunday, September 7, 2008 -- just before the tours ended for good.

Touring Yankee Stadium Part 2




Touring Yankee Stadium Part 2.5 -- The Finale

Outside Yankee Stadium after our law-breaking tour on which Nina and Kate were kicked out. This was Sunday, September 7, 2008, the last weekend before they ended the tours for good.

Monday, September 8, 2008

Matsui Permanent DH

Girardi says he expects Matsui to be a full-time DH in 2009. Matsui insisted he would get surgery and work in the off season to be available for as many roles as possible and suggested he could play infield, such as first base. Huh. If Matsui is a permanent DH, will Damon be a full-time outfielder or is he too old? Does this mean the Yankees keep Abreu? If they dump Melky and Matsui is gone and Damon is at most a part-timer, they may need two new outfielders even if they KEEP Abreu.