No ballclub does a better job at honoring its history and heroes than the Yankees. And Saturday was a prime example of the passion and poignancy represented by Old Timers Day. With years ending in "5" not connected to any championships, this year's theme was the salute to longtime 2nd baseman and coach Willie Randolph, who received a plaque in Monument Park. It was a lovely ceremony for one of baseball's alltime nice guys, a Brooklyn product who mentioned in his speech how he'd gone to his first game with the "Con Ed Kids," a program sponsored by the big New York electric company that during the 1960s gave free tickets to Yankee games to kids whose families couldn't afford them.
The honor for Willie was announced months ago and it began the ceremony with exactly the kind of warm feelings one would expect for a local kid who starred for a decade on his hometown team. But the Yankees didn't stop there.
Mel Stottlemyre had been an outstanding Yankee pitcher who came to the majors just as the Mantle-Maris-Ford-Berra dynasty was ending. A rookie sensation who won 9 games during the second half of the 1964, season, he more than impressive in the World Series -- he kept the Yankee title dream alive until game seven, when he just couldn't push his guys past the Bob Gibson-led Cardinals. Of course, almost everyone figured there'd be another time, another pennant, probably next year, because the Yanks always won. 1964 was, after all, their fifth straight pennant. Of course, we know what happened. '64 turned out to be their last pennant for a dozen years, and only World Series of Mel's career. He won 164 games over the next decade, with 40 shutouts and three 20-win seasons -- until shoulder problems ended his career -- leaving him ranked high in many team statists.
A decade as their ace pitcher, followed 20 years later by another decade as Joe Torre's pitching coach -- mentoring a staff starring Pettitte, Wells, Clemens, Mussina and Rivera. 10 consecutive post-season appearances under his watch. Health issues led to his decision to retire after the 2005 season. And like Willie, his honored place in Yankee history was assured. But the last few years have not been kind. Multiple Myeloma, which he thought he'd beaten with a 2000 stem cell transplant, returned, and led to complications. A regular at Old Timers Day, his absence was felt when he wasn't on hand last summer. And some recent newspaper reports weren't encouraging. So we were delighted to see Mel in the dugout yesterday, chatting with old friends and back in pinstripes one more time. He was there to salute Willie... yet I wondered wouldn't it be right -- before it was too late -- to give this good and deeply respected man
his permanent honor? Then it was onto the ceremony: Willie's plaque, the introduction of Yankees legends from the 1950s through the most recent dynasty. Stationed with the other photographers on the warning track behind home plate, I suddenly noticed workers bringing out another podium onto the field. John Sterling and Michael Kay took a right turn from their series of player bios and introductions. And it was clear we were about to have an additional, unexpected magical moment.
With Stottlemyre in the house, a second new plaque for Monument Park was to be dedicated. But unlike Willie, Mel hadn't known this was coming -- and so his speech, deeply moving,was totally spontaneous. In perhaps the most moving comments since those made on that first Old Timers Day, the one honoring a terminally ill Lou Gehrig, Mel Stottlemyre brought this Stadium to tears with his words:
“Today in this Stadium, there is no one that’s happier to be on this field than myself. I have been battling a dreaded disease for quite some time. I’ve had so much help from my family and I can’t say enough about you people [fans], how supportive you’ve been for me over the years.”
Mel Stottlemyre played on baseball's most famous stage and made his mark alongside legends forever beloved in the Bronx. He didn't need to go to Cooperstown to have it certified; the Yankee Universe had always ranked him among the Pinstriped Elite. That's why his ceremony and plaque were so justly deserved -- a stellar Yankee and a true gentleman now has his name and likeness honored in that special space in the Stadium reserved for its heroes. Congratulations, Mel! Thank you for being there Saturday to let us show you how much you mean to us now, and for all times.
Comments