Bronx, N.Y., Old Timers’ Day, June 20, 2015; Clippers 3, Bombers 2; Yankees 14, Tigers 3 — Always an emotional roller coaster for fans who attend, the Old Timers’ Day opening ceremony Saturday ended with such a shocking — uplifting and poignant, yes — but still shocking conclusion, that it was a more extreme experience than usual, if that’s possible. At the outset, Willie Randolph was so happy he was getting a plaque, as were six Yankee widows — Arlene Howard, Diana Munson, Jill Martin, Helen Hunter, and Kay Hunter, this year joined by Soot Zimmer — to be there at the end, that the unveiling of a plaque for Mel Stottlemyre, who as much as said he won’t be around for the next one in a Gehrig-like speech, shook the crowd to its core.

Willie and Mel share No. 30, which the Yankees used as a surprise way to honor with a plaque of his own former ace starter and pitching coach Stottlemyre, who still looks pretty good, but who seems not long for this world. Following that segment, the 50 Old Timers and the six widows turned and with us watched the big screen in center where all the Yankee family lost in the last year were honored. I count trainer Gene Monahan, not actually a player, in the 50, perhaps a stretch; but Andy Pettitte was there, not as a retired player, but doing the kindness of escorting Mrs. Zimmer out to home plate, though she blew past him eagerly with a big smile on her face. Yogi’s absence was regretted, but Whitey Ford made a brief appearance.

Then the Clippers went out and beat the Bombers in a two-inning game in a relentless though light rain. I found myself feeling somewhat like Stick Michael, who in a brief interview admitted that almost all of them are not Old Timers to him. He remembers them all as young players, and looks at them that way now too. I’ve seen Elly Howard, Mickey Mantle, Joe D, Roger Maris, and their ilk at these. I’m afraid we may have seen the last of Whitey and Yogi now too. We will be there to see them if they return.

With spirits dampened a bit by the unpleasant, but not intolerable, weather; and numbed by the highs and lows of the moving ceremony, and the game where they happily played like little boys, none of us were ready for what was to transpire in the major league game that followed. Nate Eovaldi not only got through the first inning with no problems, after a disaster outing last time out, he almost closed the seventh while allowing just four hits, one walk, and a run that crossed after Joe Girardi took the ball from him. But Nate had help. Boy did he ever.

The numbers are sick, and can’t all be listed, but how about 14 runs (13 of them through five innings), 18 hits, and five home runs? How about Brett Gardner, who came to bat needing just a homer to cycle in the fourth inning? He would fail in three tries to fill that honor out, but he also made a fabulous catch to rob Yoenis Cespedes of maybe a home run in the fifth.

How about Alex Rodriguez, who followed a home run for his 3,000th career hit Friday by driving in five runs in the first three frames, with another long drive? The no longer struggling Carlos Beltran chipped in with two homers and three rbi’s; and Chris Young, whose bat had seemingly disappeared after a fine April, matched Gardy with three hits, and hit one out. Young, in turn, was matched with a home run, two rbi’s, and two runs scored by Didi Gregorius, who had another strong defensive game at short as well. Stephen Drew had two hits, as did Chase Headley.

It had to be a pretty impressive showing for any of the oldsters who hung around for the game. The visiting Tigers may have been embarrassed, but it’s a long season. They made player changes and licked their wounds, but the effect on my scorecard was debilitating. Joe Girardi replaced Eovaldi with young Bryan Mitchell, who battled through the seventh, then settled down to finish; and rested Mark Teixeira and Beltran by using Garrett Jones, John Ryan Murphy, and Brendan Ryan. But Detroit’s Brad Ausmus shuffled around five lineup positions, and used five pitchers, then added infielder Josh Wilson to pitch the eighth. Andrew Romine, the starter at third, switched to first, then second. The lineup display on the big screen in center field was repeatedly covered by individual player photos, as the staff labored to catch up with who was leaving, who was entering, and where they were playing the next inning, and in what lineup position.

The Yanks have won four straight to start an eight-game homestand, following a dreadful road trip. The fans will root for and hope that they will give more days like today, while wondering why they couldn’t have saved a few runs for upcoming games. But I, for one, will not ponder that too hard.

The experience of this day will linger going forward. It’s one I’ll not forget for some time.

A Long, Memorable Day

BTW,TC(lippers)W(in)
BTW,TYW
YANKEE BASEBALL!!!