Category Archives: History

This day in Yankee history

July 21 in Yankee History

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  • I wish I had a good reason to offer why the July 21, 2014, game deserves to be atop that calendar day’s Yankee highlights, but there was nothing good about the bedlam that befell the Stadium and its environs when an apparent broken-down truck (they had the nerve to blame my long-time adopted state New Jersey for this!) resulted in tens of thousands of fans waiting just outside the turnstiles being barred entrance because the night’s giveaway — a Derek Jeter figurine — was not present and could not be handed out to entering ticket holders, as had been promised. The immense popularity of the soon-to-be-retired captain brought forth unprecedented numbers of early arrivals, further adding to the crush outside the gates. The Yankees eventually allowed the fans in, and then to line up inside the Stadium to get a figurine, or to accept a voucher, in about the fifth or sixth inning of the night’s game. Ironically, the game turned in the top of the sixth as young Shane Greene, who had allowed the visiting Rangers a run on three hits through five, surrendered two hits and a walk with two down in the sixth, and southpaw Matt Thornton saw to it that all three scored, resulting in a 4-2 loss to Texas. Jeter walked and scored and Jacoby Ellsbury homered for the two Yankee runs. Continue reading →

    • Ganzel’s Bellwether Blast

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    Port Chester, N.Y., May 10, 2013 — On Saturday, May 11, the Yankees will be in Kansas City, playing a road game. Nothing unique there; they’re in a stretch where they’ll play 26 of 40 away from home. But 110 years ago the at-the-time Highlanders were on the road too, facing Detroit in Bennett Field, as described by Ray Istorico in “Greatness in Waiting: An Illustrated History of the Early New York Yankees.” They had played 16 games in their initial New York season, 10 of them away, with an 8-8 record, and that day’s 8-2 win pushed them one game above .500. Continue reading →