Mike McCann's Field of Fotos

The tremendous heat wave that's gripped the New York area all of July was interrupted by this heavy downpour (sorry, I couldn't capture the lightning) during the 6th inning of today's Yankees - Royals game. The action was halted for two-and-a-half hours; once play resumed, the Yankees pulled away for a 12 - 6 victory.

Besides opening day, Old Timers Day at Yankee Stadium is my favorite occasion in the Bronx. Last Saturday, July 17th marked the 64th annual celebration of baseball's most historic franchise. We'll head up the tunnel onto the field about an hour and a half before the ceremonies begin. Forgive the similarity to MST3K - I was far from the only one toting a camera. Above: Joe Pepitone (25), Ron Guidry (49) and Lee Mazzilli (24) head toward the field. Below: Brian Doyle is the 25 to the left, along with Charlie Hayes (13), Pepitone (25) and Bucky Dent (20). Below: stretching before the ceremonies and Old Timers Game. We've got Ron Guidry (bowed over), Mazzilli (on the mat), Jerry Narron (38) and Bucky Dent. Above: you still recognize Goose Gossage by that outsized mustache. Below, Hector Lopez, the Yankees first Panamanian-born star, leans against the batting cage. Above: my personal highlight was spending time chatting with Yankee infielder (as well as 1950 World Series MVP...

The outpouring of emotion following the deaths of club owner George Steinbrenner and beloved public address announcer Bob Sheppard resulted in this makeshift shrine -- consisting of cards, candles, plaques and a few other items laid over the interlocking NY outside Yankee Stadium's gate 4.

He was the most free-spending and demanding owner in sports. A man became as well known as those who played for his Yankees. George Steinbrenner delighted in seeing his face and name splashed across the back pages of the New York tabloids. He paid top dollar for the best talent -- and even starred in commercials with his five-times-hired-and-fired manager Billy Martin and star shortshop Derek Jeter. Once unhappy with his team's home in the Bronx, the club's 1990s renaissance drew unprecedented crowds to see his Yankees -- before he then moved them across the street to the splashiest palace baseball has ever seen. Let's celebrate the legacy of George M. Steinbrenner III, his 11 pennants and 7 World Series titles.

Remembering the elegant, understated voice that became as much a part of Yankee tradition as pinstripes, the frieze and the interlocking NY. We learned this morning that Bob Sheppard has died at age 99. “Most men go to work, but I go to a game,” Sheppard once said. “How many men would love to do that?”

About 40 minutes from my home, New Britain Stadium is the home of the Twins Eastern League farm club. Their opponents, the Reading Phillies, feature 1st baseman Matthew Rizzotti, a former Manhattan College star enjoying a breakout year in 2010, hitting well over .300 with home run power. After a few pre-game practice swings, he gave a ball to a young fan. Reading scored a 1st inning run when Rich Thompson slid in just ahead of the tag. From Rizzotti's second at-bat of the game, where he eventually grounded out. Below, in a cozy park without the traditional on-deck circles, Rizzotti waits his third turn at bat just in front of the foul screen. The bat boys chatting between innings. Reading came from behind in the 8th inning, with a three-run rally that gave them a lead. Rizzotti got his only hit of the evening, a hard-hit single through the middle of the infield. Following the final out of their 4-2 victory, time to congratulate R-Phils reliever Sergio Escalona.

I'd forgotten I had a picture of Vince Coleman in a Mets uniform. I'm sure most Mets fans would prefer to forget that period. (From 1993 against the Giants at Candlestick Park.) Rarely has a player fallen so fast after signing a big free agent contract. Vince Coleman's career record: http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/colemvi01.shtml

One of the best reasons for catching minor league baseball is getting a sneak peak on the future. Scranton is the 2010 home for highly regarded Yankees prospects shortstop Eduardo Nunez (above) and catcher Jesus Montero (below). Nunez, who first caught my eye in Spring Training 2009, is not only batting over .300, but sparkles on defense -- he turns the double-play pivot with ease, as you see here (zoom-in below). Back to the batters box... above, it's Marcus Thames rounding his way back into shape on a rehab assignment. And below, another look at Montero's stroke. One more name to note (below): Jason Hirsh, who has pitched in the past for Houston and Colorado, is now working out of the bullpen. This 6-foot-8 righthander turned in three effective innings of relief. His height makes him an imposing presence on the mound -- especially in the less effective lighting conditions you see in minor league parks.

Last night at Pawtucket, Scranton Yankees pitcher Jason Hirsh, catcher Jesus Montero and 1st baseman PJ Pilittere all converged on a ball popped up in the infield. Three proved to be a crowd, as the ball wasn't caught and the Paw Sox batter made it safely to 1st base. Montero, one of the Yankees top prospects, ended his night on a more positive note -- his booming double in the top of the 9th inning pulled Scranton to within 6 - 5. Though the rally fell short, it was nice to see Montero hit the ball with authority.

Alex Rodriguez smacked a tie-breaking homer in the bottom of the 8th inning as the Yankees topped the Mariners 4 - 2 at Yankee Stadium. I couldn't resist borrowing Yankee radio voice John Sterling's line for an A-Rod home run. This one seared a path into the rightfield seats. It was also his 250th homer as a Yankee, pulling him into a tie with Graig Nettles (another pretty impressive 3rd baseman) on the club's all time list. And to nail things down in the bottom of the 9th inning, the incomparable Mariano Rivera, receiving a handshake from catcher Jorge Posada after the final out.