Apr
15
Yogi to throw out first pitch
ByCan’t really say it’s a surprise, but Yogi Berra will throw out the ceremonial first pitch during tomorrow’s home opener. The pitching rubber and home plate for tomorrow’s game will be the same set used in the final game at the Old Stadium, and will be put into the Yankee Museum in the park after the game. As you probably suspect, there will be a small army of Yankee alumni on hand for the pre-game ceremonies tomorrow. Click the link for a list.





Now can we say Yogi is the greatest living Yankee?
Melvin Crousett
Hensley “Bam Bam” Meulens
Steve Balboni
Billy Crystal
John Goodman
http://www.posteritati.com/jpg/B4/babethe_1sh.JPG
Yogi is afforded a measure of respect in the Yankee organization the likes of which are unheard of. After the deaths of Joe D and Mickey in the 90′s, Yogi automatically had that title, even before he came back to the stadium. The man is a living legend, not just in the Yankee world, but in baseball.
In short, the answer to your question is yes.
A ring for every finger. That’s just insane.
Stengel called him his most indispensable player.
Since DiMaggio passed, I don’t think there’s been any doubt about it. But since you brought it up, once Yogi’s gone, then who would it be? Who would be the standard bearer, the final Yankee announced at stadium events and Old Timer’s Day?
Whitey Ford?
Reggie Jackson?
Ron Guidry?
Whitey. He’s second to last as it is and he’s a great Yankee.
I’d say Whitey is next in line, then Gator, then Reggie. After that, I think it’s gotta be Mattingly
Sorry, Donnie was a nice player for 5 years but he’s not an all time great. Not as a player, and he was never even part of a team that won a single round of the playoffs.
After Whitey I suspect it will be Reggie, although I don’t like it. He was more of an Oakland A’s than he was a Yankee. But he’s a HOFer, and had some great exploits in the post season.
I’d prefer Gator, myself.
The thing that matters most is when do these pass away. Once Yogi, Whitey, Reggie, and Gator have passed away, we may start seeing guys like Jeter, Rivera, and Fear Williams throwing out the first pitch, since they will now be the greatest living Yankees.
Fear Williams ftw.
+1.
You took my meme and built on it.
You’re promoting synergy like a boss, Thomas.
I spun this into a (much needed) post on the ol’ blog. After walking through it, I came to a conclusion that we all forgot to consider. Check it out.
http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/?p=2637
. . . and yes, that’s the answer. It’s either him or Reggie, and he will go over much, much better with the fans.
Joe Torre…
:: head explodes ::
Get used to it. He’s a skazillion times more popular than Reggie is.
Two comments:
Reggie did play predominantly elsewhere.
However, post-playing days, he’s definitely been part of the Yankee family. Him and Big Stein were like twins. He’s a team ambassador, he’s at ST mentoring the kids, he’s a Yankee. He’s not an A or an Angel anymore, he’s a Yankee.
And, don’t forget this candidate out of leftfield (literally):
Lou Pinella. Within the decade, he’ll probably be back on the Yankee payroll in some capacity.
Yup, the gray eminence to replace Stick.
Lou was a good Yankee, but he falls into the same category as my all time fave, Graig Nettles. Supporting cast. Of those late 70′s teams, Reggie’s the only Hall of Famer.
For the final introduction, you need someone who you can give an intro to that will top all the others, and draw the biggest ovation. That’s Torre.
You don’t want the loudest applause to be for the 3rd to last guy, you want it to be for the very last one.
EDIT-Goose Gossage is a HOF, but you cant have him as the last guy when the guy we currently have is a bazillion times better at his job than he ever was.
Whitey should’ve thrown the first ball to Yogi, like Seaver threw to Piazza.
I guess Scott Brosius was unavailable
He’s vehemently anti-new Yankee Stadium.
The old House was the only place he was ever any good for any brief flickering period of time.
“I guess Scott Boras was unavailable”
Fixed that for ya.
*Face Palm*
Oh, come on. Can’t you see Scotty throwing out the first pitch after he buys the team in a few years?
Ironically, Boras taking the Yankees money is making the Yankees money and pricing himself out of his own market.
For those who want him to do it, he doesn’t have to be there in person in order to be seen.
I’m kind of peeved this is a day game. If you weren’t one of the lucky people who could take off work and get a ticket you’re SOL when it comes to watching the first game at the New Stadium. I guess the ceremonies and stuff play better in the afternoon but I kinda feel shafted. Oh well, i suppose crying about it is always an option.
I will be sitting in class from 1-215.. Hopefully first pitch is sometime after 1:30.
Me too. And then again from 3:35-4:25. At least I’ll be able to catch an inning or two.
Abe has first pitch scheduled for 1:08.
I’m hoping for a delay, the orioles ran way over the scheduled time along with the Rays(I think).
new stadium or not, it’s Opening DAY….always a day game, right?
How many other teams can boast a small army of alumni?
Most other teams have even dropped their Old Timer’s Days.
Guess most of them want to forget their past . . . . .
If you were in a room full of male pornstars, would you whip your cock out?
(Well, I would, but would you?)
Haha.
All of them. Of course, the quality is debatable.
Kelly Clarkson is singing the national anthem.
Is Kate Smith singing God Bless America again?
Is Kate Smith singing God Bless America again?
She is.
LIVE.
BOOM.
That’s how awesome the New Yankee Stadium is.
I heard Ted Williams was brought back to life and reprogrammed to be a Yankee.
wait so is the mets game not on TV?
ah nevermind sny is some ridiculous channel on dish.. 639
ESPN2
It wasn’t comin in on the ocho, I was confused. Obviously it doesn’t take much.
Yeah, I think your, um, “meds” are screwing with your head, man.
You are freaking out…..
Man
License and regestration, CHICKEN FUCKER!!!!!
Love that movie.
Yeah, sounds like you’ve got mental problems, man.
If it’s almost a sport, it’s on The Ocho!
That one where it shows people basically playing soccer with flaming heads always intrigued me.
Oh god, padres EPIC FAIL
Hedley can’t catch a sinker!? wtf
Hedley can’t call a sinker apparently. Mad mixed signs.
Padres = Suck
…
does anyone know if tomorrows game will be on ESPN? or if mlb.tv will give a free preview? i am out of town
It’ll be on MLB Network, I know that much. No ESPN.
Mike, perhaps you could clear up this issue:
http://riveraveblues.com/2009/.....ent-334171
I replied:
http://riveraveblues.com/2009/.....ent-334279
thanks
[...] day will be filled with ceremonies featuring the who’s who of Yankee alumni, highlighted by Yogi Berra throwing out the first pitch. Kelly Clarkson will sing the National Anthem (could be worse, trust me), and both the pitching [...]