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) and Hall of Fame broadcaster Jerry Coleman. Below: '60s teammates Ralph Terry and Joe Pepitone share a laugh.
Above: present-day Yankee Nick Swisher had a great time meeting some of the pinstripe stars of the past. He's chatting with 1950s ace righthander Bob Turley. Below, Turley's teammate Don Larsen, whose 1956 World Series perfect game will stand as the most famous pitching effort in the history of the original Stadium.
Whitey Ford (below) always draws a crowd of reporters.
The day's theme -- saluting the 60th anniversary of the Yankees 1950 champions.
Above: Bill "Moose" Skowron is welcomed after being introduced to the crowd. Below: "Mister October" Reggie Jackson shakes hands with Joe Pepitone as he joins the group along the 1st base line.
Six members of the 1950 Yankees were on hand -- left to right, Don Johnson (26), Hank Workman (9), Duane Pillette (35), Charlie Silvera (29), Jerry Coleman (42) and Whitey Ford -- who wore 19 during this, his rookie season.
Below: the warmest reception of the day went to Mary Sheppard, widow of the Stadium's iconic public address announcer Bob Sheppard. It's a unique touch to have her standing just below her image projected to the crowd from the center field video board.
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) and Hall of Fame broadcaster Jerry Coleman. Below: '60s teammates Ralph Terry and Joe Pepitone share a laugh.
Above: present-day Yankee Nick Swisher had a great time meeting some of the pinstripe stars of the past. He's chatting with 1950s ace righthander Bob Turley. Below, Turley's teammate Don Larsen, whose 1956 World Series perfect game will stand as the most famous pitching effort in the history of the original Stadium.
Whitey Ford (below) always draws a crowd of reporters.
The day's theme -- saluting the 60th anniversary of the Yankees 1950 champions.
Above: Bill "Moose" Skowron is welcomed after being introduced to the crowd. Below: "Mister October" Reggie Jackson shakes hands with Joe Pepitone as he joins the group along the 1st base line.
Six members of the 1950 Yankees were on hand -- left to right, Don Johnson (26), Hank Workman (9), Duane Pillette (35), Charlie Silvera (29), Jerry Coleman (42) and Whitey Ford -- who wore 19 during this, his rookie season.
Below: the warmest reception of the day went to Mary Sheppard, widow of the Stadium's iconic public address announcer Bob Sheppard. It's a unique touch to have her standing just below her image projected to the crowd from the center field video board.
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