Wayback: 1981

A couple of recently rediscovered images from 44 years ago!  Six weeks after the season resumed after the lengthy players strike, I was at Yankee Stadium for a late September game against the Orioles.  Now, soak in the moment: with the Yanks already guaranteed a spot in a split season playoff setup, they had little on the line.  Fans, many bitter, others simply disinterested, were avoiding the Stadium.  There was plenty at stake for Baltimore.  In a time before MLB embraced the idea of wild cards, the Orioles were trying to catch the Brewers -- but would fall two games short of reaching the post-season.

In the first image, we're catching the end of Orioles batting practice.  Backup catcher Dan Graham (41) and Jim Dwyer (28) are standing outside the cage.  Below, many of the Yankees are getting ready by tossing around balls.  But their numbers are almost impossible to make out.  

It’s the sixth year of the renovated original Stadium.  Notice how little advertising there is:  none on the outfield fences and just a couple of panels flanking the small scoreboard on the facing of the middle deck.


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