Bronx, N.Y., July 19, 2009 — Forty-three ex-Yankee players took the field for the Old Timers Game in Yankee Stadium Sunday afternoon, and they were joined by the widows of four more. The stars played through three innings to a 5-2 win by the Clippers over the Bombers, and although routine fly balls fell for hits and grounders sneaked through the infield, there were a few flashes of the brilliance we’ve witnessed before. Present were most of the usual suspects, but I was thrilled to see reliable reliever Lindy McDaniel from my youth, and Charlie Hayes and Chad Curtis, who between them corralled the last outs of the 1996 and 1999 Championships. It was good, too, seeing Mike Mussina looking younger than all those around him, quite a change from the last few years, and the irascible Don Zimmer, whose presence on the Yankee bench was a comforting sight for so long. Continue reading →

Bronx, N.Y., August 2, 2008 — On a day that broke poorly, and deteriorated quickly from there, ex-Yankees, Yankees, and their fans enjoyed a double dose of fun in Yankee Stadium Saturday afternoon. With more than 70 ex-players and five widows of players we have lost gathered together, the weather threatened to make short work of the last Old Timers Day in Yankee Stadium. Continue reading →

Bronx, N.Y., July 10, 2004 — As the saying goes, you couldn’t keep track of all the special moments in a long gorgeous Saturday afternoon in the South Bronx without a scorecard. The day began with radio announcer John Sterling and YES TV broadcaster Michael Kay introducing 40 beloved stars of yesteryear, and ended with 13 of the players on the 2004 team delighting a full house with a 6-3 win, yet another come-from-behind victory. Continue reading →