Breaking In The New Digs
Posted by Steve L. on January 17th, 2008 · Comments (6)
Thinking ahead…
Who should throw out the ceremonial first pitch for the first game in the New Yankee Stadium, next season (in 2009)?
Big Stein?
Yogi?
Rudy May?
If you could pick the one person, who would it be?
If he’s healthy, I’d lean towards Big Stein. He helped father this era of Yankee baseball, and with his time coming short, it’d be fitting to have him toss it out.
I remember him tearing up at the ceremony last year, and I know it would mean the world to him. Maybe I’m too sentimental Steve.
Yes, I agree it should be George Steinbrenner. I suppose the Yankees could do a buildup the way they do in introducing the Old-Timers and have a lineup of old Yankee greats throw out balls-Yogi, Whitey Ford-culminating in George. But I think it should only be career Yankees and Hall of Famers, thus eliminating Reggie, Guidry, Mattingly, Winfield et al.
One other thought: Have every player on the opening day roster throw out a ball and then have George cap it off.
George Steinbrenner should absolutely be the one to do it, but I fear he may not be able. If that’s the case, I am sure the honor will fall to Yogi. Personally, I would have Yogi (the old Stadium), Mattingly (Yankee Stadium II) and Jeter (Yankee Stadium III) all throw out the first pitch together. That would nicely tie together the three eras.
Steve, if you say Rudy May, I say Dick Tidrow. Tidrow’s in every boxscore from the late 70′s that you reference so it seems like he’d be the perfect guy.
But if we’re being serious, I’d say Yogi since he’s our greatest living Yankee.
Stick Michael and Bob Watson.
Merlyn Mantle.