Alex Rodriguez’s pregame ceremony was cut short by rain. But the storm was a passing one and it left the most gorgeous sunset in its wake—the sky was orange and red and fantastic. Rodriguez got an RBI double in his first at bat—his last hit and run batted in for the Yanks. The Old Man even trotted out to third base in the 9th inning before being pulled and given an ovation. It was modest by Yankee standards by seemingly heartfelt (manager Joe Girard’s tearful postgame press conference perhaps being the most genuine televised moment of the night).
And, oh yeah—the Yanks won.
This morning gives a tribute to the 1996 team.
Never mind the humidity:
Let’s Go Yank-ees!
Never mind the humidity and the humility. Girardi was more than tearing up...he was sobbing.
I can't blame Arod for the contract that basically kept the Yankees from being competitive for the last five years, save for some fluky luck; that was the young Steins. His behavior was sometimes despicable with a seemingly ruderless moral course. With Jeter leaving, he got a chance to rise above and be a gentleman and great teammate. I wish him well, and he has the blessing of a beautiful family. His life is his own, and with the resources to do anything, his happiness is up to him.
Now about this Yankee team; they are becoming fun to watch, they can do a lot of damage, and who knows...might sneak in as a WC!
[0] Yeah, Joe G. blubbering was quite touching. Talk about being "real." That was real.
Kinda feel sorry for Natasha. During one post game interview, Alex seemed to forget or leave out her name, as the camera focused on her and her sis, standing next to him.
[I suppose I'm lucky to have only one. My mom always mixed our names up. We had 5 and she would just run down the list 'til she got to the right one.]
I imagine it's super difficult mixing family and business on TV with all those emotions flowing.
Wow - Austin AND Judge in the lineup today!!
[2] Yeah, I felt bad for Natasha too. During the ceremony, she asked her dad if she could carry the base and Alex didn't hear it. Then, he singled out Ella twice without mentioning Natasha's name. Ouch!!
Could not have gone better. The girls love their Dad. No better feeling in the world. Now he needs a college coaching job. One of those Florida schools that play serious baseball.
[3] Just saw! It's a serious kiddy lineup today. Austin, Judge, Sanchez, Romine, Hicks.
Girardi says that Judge will be every day RF.
And just to note, it's not like Didi and Castro are old farts at 26 each.
Headley and Ellsbury the only "old" guys playing today.
[2] Heck, in my family we mix up the names of the great-nephews and nieces with the dogs names.
And yeah, this is a complete revamping of the lineup.
Here is the lineup btw...
Ellsbury CF
Hicks LF
Headley 3B
Gregorious SS
Castro 2B
Sanchez DH
Austin 1B
Judge RF
Romine C
Ceremony is on. Matt Howard didn't get much of a reception.
Man, 96 was twenty years ago. Seems like last year
Now get ready for the growing pains... Tanaka gets a quick out on a groundout to short.
Judge catches the ball and bangs into the wall. I don't think he realized quite how close he was.
Yanks coming up to bat! quick inning.
Old man Ellsbury leads off with a quick out on one pitch. I do prefer Gardner at leadoff but he's getting the day off.
wow that was a crazy play. Hicks hits a liner, bounces off 1B glove right to second basement but the throw beats 1B to the bag and he wasn't ready for it. So safe but damn, that was odd.
Sweet steal. Hicks on second.
Thought the wall would come down if Judge hit it. Big dude!
Alas. Headley Ks and Didi hits routine fly to left. Wasted RISP.
[17] Coney and Paul just commented on that...
Another easy inning for Tanaka. 18 pitches through 2.
I think that was Austin's family. I'm not sure any of them are watching him. They all are too busy videoing with their phones!
HOO YAH! AUSTIN HOMERS!
Woo hooI welcome to the bigs Tyler
Belly to belly! Judge delivers the verdict
BOOM! JUDGE BOOMS IT STRAIGHT CENTER. Home run baby!
Welcome to the Sanchez-Judge era!
So what were Stirling's calls? Think 2 rooks HR in 1st AB back to back before?
Hey, so does Tyler Austin have a 5.000 OPS?
I don't think he can keep it up, though.
Wow. Baby Bombers.Boom Boom. It's a new day...a new dawn...
[27] i'd love to find out. Maybe on the highlights later.
Judges homer was 446 feet Kay says. Hit off the building just above the glass on the restaurant. For those not watching.
A little more work that inning, but Tanaka still cruising.
Wow, just wow! Did we just see the sign?
Aaron and Tyler, epitome names of millennials.
The next Yankee era begins as the last closed yesterday under strum und drang.
And the rumor is that Papsmear is going to get released
Well that inning was anti-climactic.
i'll laugh because he caught it but Austin didn't look ready for that throw from Castro.
booooooo. bunt single. Only the 4th inning but Tanaka was owning.
Sterling used "Here comes the Judge" for Judge and didn't have a call for Austin yet. Damn.
So John says "here comes the judge" but wasn't ready with a call for Austin.
How about Tyler ties one on?
That sucks.
holy crap. 3 run dinger. Tanaka was owning before that bunt.
Nice. Finally got out of that. Rough inning though.
Ah, nice thunderstorm. Can't go and do yard work
Wow Castro crushes one to center. Nice going!
And now I've lost the satellite
[46] oh that sucks.
Austin just struck out. I guess my wish for another back to back was pushing things...
Ah, back now
The judge singles. What does the Sheriff think?
Nice. Old man Ellsbury with the single. First and Third, one out. Let's do this!
Happy homer Saturday!
Holy Hicks!
Damn this is fun.
Sweet 3 run job.
Love me some Didi. Rope!
Holy Moses! Hicks sayin, I have to keep up dees new youngins.
Is Aaron Judge 7 foot tall 300 lbs? He towers over everyone he's next to. Can you imagine the action this guy gets?
wow, I thought he was out for sure. Seemed to just float away from the Right fielder.
Off subject, but last weekend we took a family trip to Pittsburgh for no other reason that we've never been there, great happening city. We saw some sights, ate at great restaurants, and caught a Buccos game at PNC against the Reds. We purchased first row field tickets right at first base for $60 per! And Nova pitched a great game winning his first Pirate start, Cervelli was his catcher. Like seeing the Yankees in 2012...
Austin with the two hit game. I like this. If only Sanchez was hitting today.
This Judge kid doesn't seem like a true Yankee...
J/K
[58] oh hey! Protracted 'Welcome to the burgh!' Where did you eat? How'd you like PNC?
Judge looks huge. But don't compare him to Stanton quite yet guys.
[58]. Nice! Made it there last August.
[61] PNC is a great ballpark, beautiful setting. We walked there from our Airbnb, enjoyed the closed street and bridge street fair. Really good fans and Pirate love.
We ate at Eleven, Spoon, Dinette, and the old German restaurant who's name escapes me, a few doors down from our space (we stayed in Deutchtown on a great street of 19th century houses). We also had breakfast at that breakfast place in the Strip District.
On our way out of town, we went to Fallingwater, FLW's masterpiece. Even in this post modern world, it was dazzling.
Hot damn, Didi! Hell yeah!
[64] Oh wow you ate well! Glad you had such a good time. My gf's son works at Spoon. Did you eat at Max's Allegheny Tavern?
Didi!
Bombs away!
Everyone homers today.
Haven't made it to PNC, but did catch a game at Three Rivers way back when
Nice hitting Castro. C'mon Sanchez. Don't be overshadowed!
[68] I saw a handful of games at Three Rivers. Stadiums sure have come a long way.
[66] Yes! Max's was the German place a few doors down from our space on Suismon St.
DiDi! Is a young exciting Yankee team materializing before our eyes? 5 HRs from 5 players 26 and younger.
[71] Nice! It's nice to hear about folks visiting the burgh. You did a good job hitting some good spots.
[72] with the intertubes, local knowledge is not so secret anymore.
You know, this game has been fun!
Guess it wouldn't be "fun" without Joe getting every arm into the game.
Nice win! Love the fresh blood.
Enjoy the evening. Big day for MO tomorrow.
Whoa, I'm watching the 96 ceremony now. The guys look old! I love that team as that was right before I left NYC for Japan, was unemployed and followed them all year.
And seems the young 'uns arrived today! Exciting!