Old Timers' Day
You've heard of the comparison of a chaotic or unfocused situation as being "like herding cats?"
Trying to do play-by-play of an Old Timers' Day, from the field (this year, behind a protective cage, no less - whether for our protection or the players, I do not know), is like trying to give a blow-by-blow description of herding cats. Batting line-ups are suggestions, catchers play for both teams, and Mike Mussina can and did give up four first-inning runs to get the Loss, while later getting a Hold for the winning team (if anybody were actually tabulating a boxscore).
But the 63rd Annual Yankees' OTD remains one of the highlights of the year, and with a new fan hero, no less. Don Zimmer, who once vowed never again to wear a Yankee uniform even at events such as these, reversed his decision this year, and even with the likes of Yogi Berra, Reggie Jackson, and Whitey Ford in attendance and in fine health, Zim did no worse than the fourth loudest roar - and might've topped them all.
The game was highlighted by a Chad Curtis two-run triple, and some sort of cosmic punishment against David Cone, who had to pitch to Ron Guidry, Jeff Nelson, Dwight Gooden, and Guidry again in the third and final inning and only get two outs (Guidry doubled; Gooden produced an RBI single).
But the most notable event was the one that reinforced the New Stadium's friendliness to the power lefthanded batters of the world. Joe Pepitone banged a single that fell a couple of hops short of the wall in right - another ten feet of oomph and he would have had a home run off Gooden.
Joe Pepitone is about three months shy of his 69th birthday.
Some illustrations for your edification and amusement:
Jim Leyland visits with Don Zimmer in the Old Timers' clubhouse before the shindig started:
Gooden "signs" Mickey Rivers:
And, below, Mr. Gooden after his base-hitting display. That's part of the vast network of tunnels in the new Stadium. We believe they connect with the Hadron Supercollider in Geneva.
Old Timers' Day is always a reminder of - and a bit of an argument against - the conclusion of the otherwise beautiful Rolfe Humphries poem "Polo Grounds," first published in The New Yorker in 1942:
Time is of the essence. The shadow moves
From the plate to the box, from the box to second base.
From second to the outfield, to the bleachers.
Time is of the essence. The crowd and players
Are the same age always, but the man in the crowd
Is older every season. Come on, play ball!
do you have any pull with the Mets to get them to do one of these for their very angry, mutiny-bound fans?
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In Delaware, the sun is setting on a beautiful day. What a wonderful surprise to open up the 'Nerd" and to read your story, see pictures and remember once again the stanzas above.
To make it complete, please get a picture of Pepitone and post it as well. (Even if you are in it).
Thanks again.
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Was Jim Bouton there? This is the 40th anniversary of the season in his book... I've often wondered what your opinion is of that tome, I re-read it in bits and pieces from time to time. My very first major league game was August 22nd, 1969. I saw "Sudden" Sam McDowell pitch, it was Tommy Harper night ( I still have the giveaway item) and best of all I was with my Grandpa Bunn, who passed four short years later. Greg Goosen has a great line on the entry for that day in Ball Four. However, my favorite Goosen line is Casey Stengel's" We have a ball player here named Greg Goosen, he's 20 years old and in 10 years he has a chance to be 30."
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It's good to see Doc Gooden active in baseball again! I remember reading a story about him a year or so ago that suggested he was in a bad way. It was rather disquieting but good for him for getting out there yesterday. It does sadden me to see him in a Yankees uniform though because to me he will always be a Met. Also I agree with a previous poster's comment, the Mets need to have an Old Timers Game. Any influence you have Keith would be awesome! Us fans don't have much to cheer for these days as you know. Or perhaps you could use your baseball knowledge awesomeness to fix the Mets. Please!
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Dear Keith,
Despite my feeling about the Yankees, that must be one of the great days every year! Seeing all those greats who once wore the pin-stripes.
Thank you Keith for your comments and feelings about this event.
Indeed, there were those missing, either by choice or by someones' choice (you know what I mean).
As a left-coast fan, our Hollywood Stars night can't hold a candle to a Yankee OTD.
When I was a kid, the Dodgers used to have an OTD, but once Newk, Drysdale and Campy passed...was there much point in the post-Messerschmidt free-agency era? Still, always nice to see Sandy Koufax!
You gotta come back here to Tokyo for a couple of games. I'd be more than glad to show you around. Bobby V's only here for another few months!
(Actually, if you'd like to see Japanese baseball - contact JapanBall.com - Bob Bavasi's organization. I'm sure you'll remember the name.) You will be more than welcomed here!
Cheers,
Ken
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Hi, Keith. I was at the game, Section 424 high above third base. It still doesn't feel right seeing the old ballyard across the street and not going in, but at least the new one is starting to feel like "Yankee Stadium" isn't just a label stuck onto a temple of greed.
Maybe Mussina should have done to Pepitone what Kramer did no "Seinfeld" a few years back, and plunked him. But then, only Bob Gibson brushes guys back in Old-Timers Games. Ask Reggie, he hit one off Gibson in '92, then got brushed back a year later.
I also heard a few boos and, uh, unsavory comments when you were introduced. Of course, I've also heard Rudy Giuliani, Mike Bloomberg, John McCain and Sarah Palin booed at Yankee games, so take that for what it's worth. In your case, all it means is that you're doing your job. As with President Obama, when these people STOP complaining about what you're doing, that's when you should worry. It means you're doing what they want, and we've had enough of that. Since you have too much class to say it, I'll say it: The guy a few rows behind me who yelled out, "Go to hell, Olbermann!" is today's Worst! Person! in the Worrrrld!
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Hey Keith, I'm a 24 year old, and yesterday I was going through my old baseball cards from when I was a kid and found a 1997 Upper Deck Collector's Choice Juan Gonzalez The BIG Show card with YOU on it. I was just wondering if you knew that there's a baseball card with your face on it. Your picture is in the lower left corner and Dan Patrick's picture is in the lower right. I must have been 11 or 12 years old when I got this card. I had no idea the nerdy looking guy in the lower left would become a famous news man. I looked on line and the only other one I could find was going for just 25 cents so I guess it's not worth much. I'd send it to you if I knew how.
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