By Richard Schortemeyer III
My brother is the outcast of my family. My dad raised me to be a New York Mets fan, through the good, the bad, and the ugly (unfortunately, I’ve seen too much bad and ugly). My brother is a rebel, though, and for as long as I can remember he has been a ‘Pinstriper’. And, wow, how happier he has been as a member of the Bronx Faithful.
With countless Hall of Famers and World Series memories, Yankee Stadium has become the most historic stadium in professional sports history. Even though I am a die-hard Mets fan, I am a little teary-eyed realizing that the New York Yankees last game at the Stadium won’t be a playoff game, but instead it will be a meaningless game against the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday.
Like I said, so many memories, but from my own time as a baseball fan, here are my top 3 Yankee Stadium Moments:
Yankee Stadium Moment #3
The All-Star Game returns to Yankee Stadium for the fourth and final time …
I wasn’t alive the first three times that Yankee Stadium hosted the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, so I was really happy that I actually got to experience an All-Star Game at the Stadium. Fittingly, it will go down as one of the greatest in MLB history.
Some of the splendor was due to the quality of pre-game festivities. The magic began with the announcing of all the Hall of Famers that were present, position-by-position, and then matching them up with MLB’s current All-Stars … some of whom will be joining the legends on their own journey to Cooperstown at the end of their careers. That was followed by the first pitch with four of the greatest Yankees of all-time: Yogi Berra, Goose Gossage, Whitey Ford, and Reggie Jackson.
All the pageantry was then followed by the actual All-Star Game. The events that unfolded in the 8th, 9th, and 10th innings were an appropriate way to send off the classic stadium. With the game tied in the top of the 8th, it was RED SOX closer Jonathan Papelbon who gives up the go-ahead run to the NL. Then, in the bottom-half of the 8th, METS closer Billy Wagner gives up the tying run. He was followed in the top of the 9th by arguably the greatest closer of all-time Mariano Rivera coming in to get a strike-‘em out, throw-‘em out double play to end a NL rally.
Mariano ended another threat in the 10th, by getting an inning-ending double play out of Florida 2B Dan Uggla. From then on, it was pitcher handling from both managers that was at the forefront. With the NL shorthanded, Colorado’s Clint Hurdle looked to one of his own, SP Aaron Cook, and he stepped up in huge fashion with three scoreless innings.
There was a larger concern for the AL as the game headed into the 15th. Tampa SP and ace Scott Kazmir, who was on short rest and has a history of arm trouble, was the last in line and really could go only one inning. He got through the top-half unscathed, and with some magic in the bottom half, Texas SS Michael Young drove in the game-winning run to help the AL gain homefield advantage in the World Series.
I remember that I had work at 6 AM the next day, but really that wasn’t an issue. There was no way I was going to sleep until the game was over. It was a great night to be a New York baseball fan.
Yankee Stadium Moment #2
Derek Jeter. Need I say more?
Right now, on the other side of New York, we have one of the most exciting, and best, overall shortstops in the game today in Jose Reyes. Trust me, I am very ecstatic to have him on our side. But, if you ask me to build an ultimate dream team, there is no question in my mind that my SS would be Derek Jeter - the best SS that I’ve seen in my lifetime.
It was Jeter, Nomar Garciaparra, and current Yankee 3B Alex Rodriguez who truly started the new era of the SS. Before them, the position was filled with light hitting fielders with excellent defense. This trio brought a more offensive approach and a more pivotal part to a baseball club. That became apparent in the Yankees historic run from ‘96-’00, as DJ started to build his legacy while helping New York capture four World Series titles in a five-year span.
One moment during that span that sticks out is his HR in Game 1 of the 1996 LCS against the Baltimore Orioles - the infamous Jeffrey Maier home run. Another classic moment occurred during the 2000 postseason. After a forgettable regular season in which he struggled mightily on both sides of the field, the great DJ reappeared to help lead New York to its third consecutive World Series title. I’ll always remember the pivotal HR he hit in Game 5 to tie the game at 2-2 in the 6th.
But, it will be the spectacular defensive plays over the years that will always come first in my mind when referring to Jeter. The one play that sticks out the most is his catch in the Stadium stands in a huge midsummer game versus the Red Sox. Everyone knew that he was shaken when he got back on the field, but he shook it off and went back to business. To me, that optimized the kind of player Derek Jeter was.
He’s broken many Yankees records over the years, but the most recent one is unbelievable- Lou Gehrig’s record for hits at Yankee Stadium. Babe Ruth christened Yankee Stadium on Opening Day in 1923. I think it would be fitting to see Derek Jeter give Yankee Stadium the ultimate going-away gift with either a game-winning hit or leap and throw from the hole. Speaking as a Mets fan, I can join millions in saying, “Thank you, Derek Jeter, for all of your Yankee Stadium moments.”
Yankee Stadium Moment #1
Aaron Boone hits dramatic game and series-winning HR …
What else can you ask for than the New York Yankees-Boston Red Sox in a Game 7 of an ALCS? How about a HR that will go down as one of the most memorable HRs in MLB postseason history?
Boston fans had heard, “Only a few outs to go, and the curse is over!” too many times. That was the situation in Game 7 as ace Pedro Martinez had pitched an ace-like game. But, trouble was brewing in the bottom of the 8th. With Boston up 5-2, Martinez was showing signs of tiredness. As he got himself into a little trouble, manager Grady Little came out to the mound and didn’t make the bullpen call. Grady left Pedro in, and it wound up being a decision Little would never live down. New York tied the game and sent it into extra innings.
In the bottom of the 11th, it was pinch-hitter Aaron Boone who answered the call to join the Yankee legends. Boone hit the first pitch he saw from reliever Tim Wakefield into the left field bleachers and just like that the 84-year curse lived on another year.
I remember I was at a local college bar in St. Augustine, Florida during the game. Seconds after the home run, my brother, the ‘outcast’, calls me up from Bentley College in Boston. I’ll never forget that moment. I couldn’t have been happier for him.
Well, I hope you enjoyed going down New York Memory Lane these past couple of weeks. We’ll go back to the present next week as I’ll breakdown the 2008 MLB Playoffs. Until next time, Adios all.