Mike McCann's Field of Fotos

Dialing up June 25th, 2005 in the wayback machine for Subway Series action between the Yankees and Mets. Nice to see the "old" Stadium again, isn't it. And making his major league debut in this at-bat, lefty hitting outfielder Kevin Reese . The 27 year old University of San Diego product was never really a top prospect. 27th round picks rarely are. But he donned the pinstripes and had his name and face on the video board. This would the first of a dozen games in his big league career. But Brian Cashman had a hunch about Reese's future. After retiring at the end of the 2007 season, Reese became a Yankee scout. And a decade later, after impressing the front office, he was named the club's Senior Director of Player Development. Still a Yankee, now more important than ever.

...you share it with Scott Kingery . A sizzling 2018 spring training led to his jumping to the Phillies from Double A. Instead of just handing him a regular job at 2nd or 3rd base or the outfield, Gabe Kapler decided to turn him into Philadelphia's version of Ben Zobrist.  If anything, that held back his progress. For 2020, with Cesar Hernandez and Mikael Franco released, he appeared ready to be Joe Girardi's everyday 2nd baseman -- until everything went on hold. Also on today's cake and candles list: Rookie Davis , the onetime Yankee prospect who pitched briefly for the Reds and Pirates. His given name, BTW, is William. Chad Huffman , an outfielder-1st baseman whose 21 major league games came with an almost seven-year gap: nine with the 2010 Yankees, and a dozen with the '17 Cardinals. Kelly Shoppach , a catcher who spent parts of nine seasons in the majors, but only one (2008 with Cleveland) as a regular. John Vander Wal , played 14 seasons, split among eight...

It's May 4th, 2019: making his Yankee debut as the mop-up reliever is... Jake Barrett . Don't remember him in pinstripes? You're not alone, since he lasted just two games with the Yanks. He gave up a home run in this 7 - 3 loss to the Twins. Four days later, he was shelled, allowing five runs in two innings of a 10 - 1 pounding by Seattle. And that was it for the former Diamondback. Some notable Yankees have worn 36 over the years. Hall of Famer Johnny Mize, perfect game author David Cone, 1977 World Champ Mike Torrez and the ever-durable Jim Kaat. In this era of constant roster shuffling, Barrett was one of four Yankees to wear 36 last season. The final one: power hitting New Jersey product Mike Ford -- who should be back in "Gehrig times Maris" (do the math) when play finally resumes.

One of my favorite photos of 2019 was taken at last July's All Star Game between the Can-Am League and the Frontier League. Held at the Boulders home park in Rockland County, New York, it captures a universal baseball moment. Sunset approaching, first pitch just minutes away, and the players ready to take the field. A click or two converts this to black and white -- and can transport us, as fans, back to the 1930s or '50s or anytime we want. That compact ballpark could be in any small or medium sized town. It looks rustic, not modern. No luxury boxes or mascots. It could be a scene from The Stratton Story (one of my favorite baseball movies), The Dizzy Dean Story  or any of those William Frawley classics like Rhubarb that were weekend TV staples "back in the day." Special thanks to the Boulders executive Seth Cantor for the invitation and arranging the terrific access I had.

April 24th, 2013: Jordany Valdespin 's walk off grand slam -- the first by a Met since Kevin McReynolds in 1991 -- lifts the team to 7 - 3, 10 inning victory over the Dodgers. April 24th, 2003: In his third at-bat, Chase Utley gets his first major league hit, blasting a third-inning grand slam off Rockies starter Dennis Cook. It's a highlight of the Phillies' 9-1 Veterans Stadium victory.
 April 24th, 1960: The Yankees score 8 runs BEFORE THE FIRST OUT IS MADE in the bottom of the 1st inning, to tie an American League record (set by  the Indians in 1954). Elston Howard and Tony Kubek capped the outburst with home runs. But things didn't calm down for long. The Orioles pulled close with the help of 8th and 9th innings grand slams (by Albie Pearson and Billy Klaus) before Johnny James strikes out Jackie Brandt for the final out in a wild 15 - 9 Yankee victory.  April 24th, 1923: Avid baseball fan President Warren Harding is on hand for the first shutout e...

Yankees hosting the Mariners on July 1st, 2010, a warm, sunny early summer afternoon. Milton Bradley takes a lead off 1st base. CC Sabathia tries to keep him as close as possible. (That's Mark Teixeira manning the bag for New York.) Sabathia pitched the first eight, leaving after Seattle tied the score. Alex Rodriguez' two-run homer in the bottom of the inning put the Yankees back on top. Mariano Rivera worked a 1-2-3 9th for the save and a 4 - 2 New York victory . Over the decades, I've often gone out of my way to attend day games. Chances are it's how baby boomers first saw the game -- both playing in schoolyards and attending with parents or friends. And there's still an extra thrill watching baseball under the sun. If you agree or disagree, leave your thoughts below. Just click the comment button.

To mark the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, here's a gallery from this year's spring training trip. Instead of focusing on the action, let's focus on the scenery, the sky, the field, the ballparks. Perfection we too often take for granted. The lesson of this day is to appreciate and honor the gifts of nature. The Mets spring training home, now renamed Clover Park, was the first I remember featuring a berm. A grassy hill, to spread out a blanket and enjoy a view of the action you'll never find during the regular season. The long view from the left field corner in Port St. Lucie. Sun, shade, perfectly manicured grass. pitchers and catchers in the Mets bullpen. Now head down 95 around 45 minutes to Fitteam Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. The walkway from the main parking lot to the ballpark, greeting you with tropical charm.  There is something marvelously different about a Florida blue sky. Below, not a ballpark view, but one worth sharing: a couple of palm tre...