Yogi to throw out first pitch

by 66 Comments

Jackson, Russo not heading to New York
Scranton Yanks still on pace to go 140-0

Can’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.

Jackson, Russo not heading to New York
Scranton Yanks still on pace to go 140-0
  • Joey H

    Now can we say Yogi is the greatest living Yankee?

    • http://statspeak.net dan

      Melvin Crousett

      • http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

        Hensley “Bam Bam” Meulens

    • Colombo

      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.

      • http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/ Artist formerly known as ‘The’ Steve

        A ring for every finger. That’s just insane.

        • http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

          Stengel called him his most indispensable player.

    • http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/ Artist formerly known as ‘The’ Steve

      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?

      • Kara

        Whitey. He’s second to last as it is and he’s a great Yankee.

      • Colombo

        I’d say Whitey is next in line, then Gator, then Reggie. After that, I think it’s gotta be Mattingly

        • http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/ Artist formerly known as ‘The’ Steve

          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.

          • Thomas

            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.

            • pat

              Fear Williams ftw.

              • http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

                +1.

                You took my meme and built on it.

                You’re promoting synergy like a boss, Thomas.

                • http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/ Artist formerly known as ‘The’ Steve

                  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.

                • http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

                  Joe Torre…

                  :: head explodes ::

                • http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/ Artist formerly known as ‘The’ Steve

                  Get used to it. He’s a skazillion times more popular than Reggie is.

                • http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

                  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.

                • Rich

                  Yup, the gray eminence to replace Stick.

                • http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/ Artist formerly known as ‘The’ Steve

                  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.

                • http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/ Artist formerly known as ‘The’ Steve

                  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.

      • Marsha

        Whitey should’ve thrown the first ball to Yogi, like Seaver threw to Piazza.

  • http://statspeak.net dan

    I guess Scott Brosius was unavailable

    • http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

      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.

    • http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/ Artist formerly known as ‘The’ Steve

      “I guess Scott Boras was unavailable”

      Fixed that for ya.

      • Joey H

        *Face Palm*

        • http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/ Artist formerly known as ‘The’ Steve

          Oh, come on. Can’t you see Scotty throwing out the first pitch after he buys the team in a few years?

          • http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

            Ironically, Boras taking the Yankees money is making the Yankees money and pricing himself out of his own market.

    • Rich

      For those who want him to do it, he doesn’t have to be there in person in order to be seen.

  • pat

    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.

    • Drew

      I will be sitting in class from 1-215.. Hopefully first pitch is sometime after 1:30.

      • Kara

        Me too. And then again from 3:35-4:25. At least I’ll be able to catch an inning or two.

      • pat

        Abe has first pitch scheduled for 1:08.

        • Drew

          I’m hoping for a delay, the orioles ran way over the scheduled time along with the Rays(I think).

    • steve (different one)

      new stadium or not, it’s Opening DAY….always a day game, right?

  • http://www.puristbleedspinstripes.com Rebecca-Optimist Prime

    How many other teams can boast a small army of alumni?

    • http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/ Artist formerly known as ‘The’ Steve

      Most other teams have even dropped their Old Timer’s Days.

      Guess most of them want to forget their past . . . . .

      • http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

        If you were in a room full of male pornstars, would you whip your cock out?

        (Well, I would, but would you?)

        • http://heavysoundsandtheabstracttruth.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/alg_burnett-sabathia-3.jpg Mike Pop

          Haha.

    • Jack

      All of them. Of course, the quality is debatable.

  • Tom Zig

    Kelly Clarkson is singing the national anthem.

    Is Kate Smith singing God Bless America again?

    • http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

      Is Kate Smith singing God Bless America again?

      She is.

      LIVE.

      BOOM.

      • Tom Zig

        That’s how awesome the New Yankee Stadium is.

        I heard Ted Williams was brought back to life and reprogrammed to be a Yankee.

  • pat

    wait so is the mets game not on TV?

    • pat

      ah nevermind sny is some ridiculous channel on dish.. 639

    • Jack

      ESPN2

      • pat

        It wasn’t comin in on the ocho, I was confused. Obviously it doesn’t take much.

        • Jack

          Yeah, I think your, um, “meds” are screwing with your head, man.

          • pat

            You are freaking out…..

            Man

            • Jack

              License and regestration, CHICKEN FUCKER!!!!!

              • http://heavysoundsandtheabstracttruth.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/alg_burnett-sabathia-3.jpg Mike Pop

                Love that movie.

            • http://actyankee.blogspot.com Matt

              Yeah, sounds like you’ve got mental problems, man.

        • http://twitter.com/tsjc68 tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside

          If it’s almost a sport, it’s on The Ocho!

          • Jack

            That one where it shows people basically playing soccer with flaming heads always intrigued me.

  • pat

    Oh god, padres EPIC FAIL

    • Drew

      Hedley can’t catch a sinker!? wtf

      • pat

        Hedley can’t call a sinker apparently. Mad mixed signs.

  • Drew

    Padres = Suck
    …

  • Alex S

    does anyone know if tomorrows game will be on ESPN? or if mlb.tv will give a free preview? i am out of town

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