September 15, 2008

The last home games at Yankee Stadium

NewYorkology contributor Scott Ross keeps you abreast of upcoming Mets and Yankees home games in New York City. Jack Donaghy convinced Ross to join the GE family in the summer of 2008. Here’s your look at major league baseball in New York City this week:

It’s sad it has to end this way.

Yankee Stadium has been home to the most successful, most storied team in professional sports history since 1923 (or 1976, depending on whom you ask). In that time the Yankees won 39 AL championships and 26 World Series titles. It was in this stadium that the game’s greatest player, Babe Ruth, single-handedly made the home run the most powerful and beloved weapon in the game. Lou Gehrig gave the greatest speech in the game’s history from the park’s mound on July 4, 1939. Don Larsen pitched the sport’s only World Series perfect game from the same mound on Oct. 8, 1956. That mound was where Fritz Peterson and Mike Kekich made their livings at the time the two traded wives. In 1993 one-handed hurler Jim Abbott threw a no-hitter from that mound. And it was on that mound where Mariano Rivera, the game’s greatest closer, fell to his knees weeping with joy – and relief — after the Yankees defeated the Red Sox in the 11th inning of game 7 to secure their last pennant. And that doesn’t begin to cover the park’s history.

In a perfect world the Yankees and their fans would be preparing for one last October charge to glory. At the very least they would be getting ready to play host to the Boston Red Sox on the last three days of the season. Instead, they’ve been all but eliminated from the playoff chase and the last game ever played at the Stadium will be against the lowly Baltimore Orioles and feature a match-up between two guys named Chris Waters and Alfredo Aceves, who between them have pitched 56 innings in their careers. It’d be like a bunch of strangers coming over for Thanksgiving to tell you Christmas had been canceled.

The Yankees have been reduced to playing for pride and a few personal achievements. With his next base hit, Derek Jeter will hold the record for most hits ever at Yankee Stadium, surpassing Gehrig. Rivera’s next save will move him past Lee Smith into sole possession of second place on the all-time list. And if Mike Mussina wins his last three starts it will mark the first 20-win season of his career.

It doesn’t matter which game you go to this week, just go.

Chicago White Sox at New York Yankees
Monday @ 7:05, Mark Buehrle (13-11) vs. Alfredo Aceves (1-0), Final Season Mouse Pad Night
Tuesday @ 7:05, Gavin Floyd (15-7) vs. Andy Pettitte (13-13), Yankees T-shirt Night
Wednesday @ 7:05, Lance Broadway (1-0) vs. Phil Hughes (0-4), Final Season Snoopy Yankees Doll Night
Thursday @ 7:05 Javier Vasquez (12-13) vs. Mike Mussina (17-9), Poster Night

Baltimore Orioles at New York Yankees
Friday @ 7:05, Garrett Olson (9-8)`vs. Sydney Ponson (8-5)
Saturday @ 1:05, Radham Liz (6-5) vs. Carl Pavano (3-1)
Sunday @ 8:05, Chris Waters (2-3) vs. Alfredo Aceves (1-0)

Next Week: The Yankees play out the string in Toronto and Boston while the Mets welcome the Cubbies and Marlins.

Tickets to Yankees games can be purchased here. See NewYorkology’s guide to Yankee Stadium for the rundown on how to get there, where to meet, eat and eventually, sit.

Image source: National Emblem NY Yankees Yankee Stadium Final Season Logo Patch

September 15, 2008 10:10 AM in Kids, Out of Manhattan, Sports

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