Yankee Stadium 1923-2008

By Christine Insinga

   

Dear Yogi, now it is truly over.

I know as a reporter-  I'm not supposed to express my opinion- or have a favorite when it comes to- well- anything.  But when it comes to my NY Yankees- I gotta' break the rules! I LOVE 'em- I truly do!

The final game at THE House That Ruth Built- rich with all its pomp and circumstance- will be remembered as one full of magic- majesty and a little mystery.

The ghosts of the venue were resurrected by look-alike actors who took the field in old-fashion gear and gave all those watching the tiniest glimpse of what that place REALLY looked and felt like all that time ago.

           Derek Jeter, Andy Pettite, Jorge Posada and Tino Martinez- THESE are the boys in pinstripes of MY generation!!

 

And how AWESOME was it to see Bernie williams get that multi-minute Standing 'O'?!

I've listened to Lou Gehrig's farewell speech a thousand times.  I could never hear it enough.  Tributes to Babe Ruth, Munson, Mantle, Whitey Ford and Reggie- not to mention Randolph and Girardi- I'll tell ya' it all but made me want to cry. 

But tell me- HOW do you do this night without even uttering the name Joe Torre?  It's disgraceful, unacceptable and petty! He deserves a significant place in the memory of this cathedral-  no questions asked! Lord knows he generated enough memories (not to mention money) there.  Who knows- maybe he wantd it that way- but I doubt it.  And how about George?  Yeah you know the OWNER of the most celebrated team in sports?  The rumor is he's been sick but- c'mon people- the greatest fans in the world want answers why these guys weren't at the going away party?

On a happier- more celebratory note- which is what last night was all about after all: what class- what dignity- what pride those New York Yankees have.  It was there first year missing the playoffs in more than a decade but you'd never know it.  The smiles on their faces glowed all night long and Captain Jeter's off the cuff speech was so simple and heartwarming and you could just tell he was sincere.

New York- New York (the tradional last song of the evening after EVERY home game) was played at least 4 times before fans even CONSIDERED leaving their seats.  Some wept some cheered and anyone who could scooped up dirt from the field.  One held up a sign that read- The House That Became a Home' .

The memories will forever linger in the air there- but rather than say 'goodbye'-this die hard fan is saying-  see ya' at the next one!!

Thanks for reading!

Comments

[Tim]

Hey Christine,

Very nice blog about your Yankees. Will I'm a Mets fan. I'm happy to see the Mets getting Citi Fleid next year. There are alot of go memory at both places in baseball. It is time for both of them to get new stadiums. Keep up the good reporting at News12LI. Christine can I ask you if you going out with any one? Hope you get back to me with an answer.