In 1923, the original Yankee Stadium opened and was home to the franchise's first World Series champions. 2009, it's a new Yankee Stadium and the team's 27th title. Congratulations to Hideki Matsui, whose 6 RBIs in game 6 clinched him series MVP honors. This classy professional hitter broke in at Yankee Stadium with an opening day grand slam homer in 2003. That season ended with October disappointment as the Marlins surprised the Yankees in the World Series. This year, back in the Fall Classic, Matsui was the Yankees' hottest hitter, hitting the go-ahead homer off Pedro Martinez in game two and helped nail down the Championship Trophy by becoming the second player ever to drive in six runs in a World Series game (joining former Yankee Bobby Richardson in the record books). #55 joins the parade of Yankees post-season legends that reach all the way back to Babe Ruth. Recording the final five outs, the incomparable Mariano Rivera. After he nails down the save, time for the on-field celebration. Special thanks to Jeff Canova, who was on hand for the final game to capture the scoreboard, Rivera and the pandemonium!
Now we know it will be the Yankees and Phillies -- Broadway vs. Broad Street in the World Series. Two clubs whose home towns are 90 miles apart -- and who met this past May in inter-league play in the Bronx.The Phillies took two of the three games during the regular season. The clubs are also Spring Training neighbors. It's just a half hour drive (in good traffic) between the Yankees facilities in Tampa and the Phillies' second home, Clearwater. First two games will be at Yankee Stadium, then the teams head down the Jersey Turnpike, cross the Walt Whitman Bridge and resume on Saturday at Citizens Bank Park. But considering that the action will be played at night to the delight of network TV -- but the disappointment of paying customers as well as traditionalists like me -- the next shot seemed more appropriate.
High five for Phillies rightfielder Jayson Werth (pictured here last March in Florida). His 2-out single drove in Ryan Howard for the go-ahead run and capped a 3-run top of the 9th rally. That 5-4 victory over the Rockies in Colorado moved the Phils into the National League Championship Series against the Dodgers.
This is just the second season as a full-time player for the ever-hustling Werth, who was released by the Dodgers in 2006 with what was thought to be a chronic wrist condition. Here's a terrific New York Times story on him -- http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/11/sports/baseball/11werth.html
Time for a quick salute to Mark Teixeira, tonight's Yankee standout in their 4-3, 11-inning win over the Twins in Game Two of the Divison Series. In the decisive inning, the big 1st baseman starred on defense -- with two great plays (catching a line drive, then stopping a hot grounder and throwing home to nail a runner attempting to score) that kept Minnesota from scoring in a bases-loaded, none out situation. Leading off the bottom of the inning, he smacked a line drive homer that he called "a wallbanger," deflecting off the left field wall into the seats for the winning run. As has become the trademark of this Yankee club, "Tex" was smacked with a pie (actually a towelfull of whipped cream) by AJ Burnett during his post-game TV interview. A sweet ending to a dramatic Yankee win. When I went back to this year's images, I found a Spring Training preview of the righthanded swing that produced the walk-off homer. Wondering the last time a Yankees post-season contest ended with such suddenness? That was the Aaron Boone game against the Red Sox in game 7 of the 2003 League Championship Series.
While a ballpark tour is not the same as seeing an actual game, I have to compliment the Mariners for the first-rate tour of Safeco Field. I came away with a deep appreciation for both the stadium, the way it was designed -- including a retractable dome -- and its combination of function and understated elegance that makes it one of the best places to see a game.
The streetside view features posters of several players, most notably future Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Junior. Below, a sculpture of a glove rivals Yankee Stadium's "bat" as a place to meet.
Below, a view you don't get from many ballparks. Safeco's outdoor rooftop patio offers a superb view of the skyline, including Seattle's legendary Space Needle.
The retractable roof, which stores neatly over the right field seats, was actually needed for just nine home games this season. It provides the perfect compromise -- an outdoor stadium with great sightlines that never suffers rainouts.
The owner's suite features the franchise's "holy grail," a portrait of the Mariners scoring the winning run in their 1995 playoff win over the Yankees. Just beneath, home plate from the ballclub's then-home the Kingdome is on display.
The tour then moved down to field level.
The Mariners dugout... the secret's out to where those phones connect.
Saving the best for last -- a mile away and just minutes before sunset, the waterfront view of both Seattle Stadiums, Quest Field for football and Safeco for baseball, with the more than 14-thousand-foot peak of Mount Rainier in the background.
My daughter Dara began college this week at Evergreen State College in Washington State. While time and priorities didn't give me a chance to catch a game at Safeco Field this trip, the ballpark certainly cuts an impressive image when you drive past it on I-5.
When a team is on a roll the way this year's Yankees are, a new hero seems to step forward every night. This evening, it was right fielder Nick Swisher (seen back in May against the Phillies). He smacked a pair of home runs tonight -- they bookended the scoring as the Yankees got by the Rays 3-2.
The always enthusiastic switch hitter first connected right-handed in the 2nd inning. Then, he saved his left-handed swing for the bottom of the 9th inning, where he snapped a tie, launching one toward the new Stadium's cozy right field area. Amazingly, these two on the night were Swisher's first home runs in his home ballpark in three months -- and yet he's got an impressive total of 26 for the season. To quote Yankees radio voice John Sterling, "Swishalicious!"
Follow-up (Sept. 29): Swisher has enjoyed a productive September at Yankee Stadium, including a home run in tonight's win over the Royals. A little home grown artwork serves as the screen saver on the personal computer mounted in his locker stall; resembling the badge you might wear at a convention, it reads, "Hello. My name is SWAGGER."
Nothing better than baseball on Labor Day -- today, I made my first visit to New Britain, Connecticut, home of the Twins' Double-A farm team. The lure was another chance to catch the Yankees' affiliate the Trenton Thunder. New Britain Stadium has seen several top Twins prospects blossom over the years, including current major league stars Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau. But my focus today was on a likely future Yankee -- shortstop Eduardo Nunez. Fans getting autographs from this talented shortstop had best hold onto them -- in a couple or three years, they'll be able to say they saw Nunez before he was famous (and charging big bucks for his signature!). Both teams lined up on the field for the national anthem before the game. (Above) Nice to see the Twins train their prospects in the almost lost art of bunting. (Below) it's mascot time! Trenton 3rd baseman Marcos Vechionacci has spent several years in the Yankees' farm system. But with Alex Rodriguez only two years into a 10-year contract, his major league destination won't be the Bronx -- despite this impressive home run. It proved to be the Thunder's only score. I paid special attention to Eduardo Nunez today. Impressed when I saw him in spring training -- where he got ample opportunity to play with Derek Jeter on the US squad of the World Baseball Classic -- and again in my visit to Trenton, I snapped away during his at bats (even walking down to the field boxes for the best view). Back to young Mr. Nunez. Nice swing, good form. He hits the ball with authority, even though today he went 0-for-4 as Trenton lost 4 to 1. Trenton's loss the day before eliminated them from a chance at the playoffs. So this game rings down the curtain on the Trenton season.
My first visit to Citizens Bank Park in two years, one of baseball's best neo-retro ballparks. Walking in from the parking lot, I caught this perfect match of scenery -- statue and skyline. The fierce game-day expression of Phllies Hall of Famer Steve Carlton. The Phillies pay tribute with this sign to their beloved voice Harry Kalas, who died just before an early-season game in DC. One of the ballpark's nice architectural features is the stacked bullpen area. Take your seat before the game and catch the starting pitchers warming up. A Phillies game always includes some clever moves by the Phantatic. Below, he's getting into the fun with a dance troupe performing on Latino Family Night. This series focuses on the Giants' bright young star Pablo Sandoval. Above, a high and tight pitch to the chunky Venezuelan who has settled in as San Francisco's everyday 3rd baseman. Below, notice the glove worn by the player nicknamed Kung Fu Panda. Does it sport a panda motif? Just the right moment to capture the ballpark at twilight.
Down 10-5 heading into the bottom of the 9th, the Yankees mounted a terrific comeback that cut the Texas lead to one run, with runners on 1st and 2nd base, no one out and Nick Swisher coming to bat. And while he's hit better on the road this year, no one saw this clunker of a decision coming: He bunted -- popping up the ball, costing an out and killing the momentum that might have led to a Yankee victory (Melky Cabrera then lined out into a game-ending double play). Rarely does a bubble burst THAT quickly. A few other observations from my third game at "the new Stadium." It's not only home to the game's most expensive seats, but the game's biggest popcorn bucket. Below, your view from Section 125, 27 rows behind 3rd base.
Ryan Howard was the batting star today as the Phillies wrapped up their four-game visit to New York. The big man blasted first and third inning homers to drive in the Phils' first five runs in a 6-2 victory over the Mets. This was his first inning blast, which landed in the left field seats. Nothing like a happy group of teammates waiting for you at home plate. Howard cashed in on another chance off the Mets' Bobby Parnell in the 3rd inning. I actually missed where this ball landed -- it was one tier of seats higher, in the lower rows of the "Pepsi Porch." On the mound, pitcher Cliff Lee continued his torrid streak, allowing just a pair of unearned runs in earning his 5th consecutive victory since being traded from the Indians to the Phillies in July.
In a very classy pre-game ceremony, the Mets honored the 40th anniversary of their 1969 World Series champions. (Above) Radio play-by-play voice Howie Rose emceed the Citi Field event standing alongside the Championship trophy. Take note of the pennant and year trimmed into the turf. (Below) The beloved manager who shephereded this upstart club, the late Gil Hodges.
Nolan Ryan made his first appearance at a Mets-related event since being traded to the Angels in the early '70s. He was welcomed to New York, in whose uniform he saw his only World Series action.
(Above) The top of the Mets pitching rotation in 1969 -- Tom Seaver and Jerry Koosman.
Seaver delivered the speech on behalf of his teammates.
A nice touch (possibly borrowed from the Dodgers 2008 home opener) -- three iconic pitchers from the '69 Mets -- Nolan Ryan, Tom Seaver and Jerry Koosman -- throwing the trio of ceremonial first pitches. (Below) They were caught by 1969 Mets coach Yogi Berra, starting catcher Jerry Grote and backup Duffy Dyer.
Some shots of the Yankees' top free agent acquisition last winter. Number 52 in your scorecard, the big lefthander C.C. Sabathia. Thanks to the high-tech videoboard, fans arriving early get a good look at his pre-game warmup. 3rd baseman Alex Rodriguez patrols the field behind him.
Friday night's destination -- Scranton, Pennsylvania, home of the Yankees' International League affiliate. Triple-A baseball, the last stop before the majors.(Above) Reminding the fans, and I presume the players as well, over 40 onetime Scranton Yankees have seen action with the parent club. (Below)Cut into a mountain valley, PNC Park has one of the nicest backdrops of any ballpark -- major or minor-league.2007 Yankee fan favorite Shelley Duncan is spending this summer in Scranton. (Above and below) Highly-rated Yankee center field prospect Austin Jackson. (Above) One of the phuture Phillies, outfielder Michael Taylor. (Below) From along the wall between the Scranton dugout and the foul screen, I really like this shot of catcher Chris Stewart batting against the IronPigs' Gustavo Chacin. While the major league Yankees don't employ a mascot, this farm club does. I rode up to Scranton with WFAN's Talking Baseball host Ed Randall, who conducted a pre-game outreach. Ed Randall's Bat for the Cure Foundation has the important mission of urging men over 40 to go for a blood test to screen for prostate cancer. I was pleased to join Ed in distributing his literature to make men aware of a vital health issue. Ed's website: http://www.erbatforthecure.org
Good friend Ken Levine (his terrific blog covering the wacky and wonderous worlds of entertainment, politics, sports and life in the '60s is linked elsewhere on this page) traveled with the Dodgers on a recent road trip. He can best explain why the team bounced from San Diego to New York and then Milwaukee. Happily, he was happy to share some glimpses of the engineer marvel that is Milwaukee's Miller Park. Weather-resistant, but not bunker-like as were the now decommissioned Astrodome or demolished Kingdome, the summer game still shines with the season. And with the roof open, you still have the feel of a ballpark, not a multipurpose stadium. Retired numbers saluting Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron, Rollie Fingers, Robin Yount and Paul Molitor. Nightfall in city that Miller, Schlitz and Pabst once all called home.
A broadcast professional since 1974, my career has branched out from being a DJ to rock 'n' roll and pop culture historian, feature contributor, music journalist and sports radio anchor.
In 1923, the original Yankee Stadium opened and was home to the franchise's first World Series champions. 2009, it's a new Yankee Stadium and the team's 27th title.
Congratulations to Hideki Matsui, whose 6 RBIs in game 6 clinched him series MVP honors.
This classy professional hitter broke in at Yankee Stadium with an opening day grand slam homer in 2003. That season ended with October disappointment as the Marlins surprised the Yankees in the World Series.
This year, back in the Fall Classic, Matsui was the Yankees' hottest hitter, hitting the go-ahead homer off Pedro Martinez in game two and helped nail down the Championship Trophy by becoming the second player ever to drive in six runs in a World Series game (joining former Yankee Bobby Richardson in the record books). #55 joins the parade of Yankees post-season legends that reach all the way back to Babe Ruth.
Recording the final five outs, the incomparable Mariano Rivera. After he nails down the save, time for the on-field celebration.
Special thanks to Jeff Canova, who was on hand for the final game to capture the scoreboard, Rivera and the pandemonium!
