The End Of The Zimmer Curse?
Via Bryan Hoch -
The last time Yankees pinstripes draped Don Zimmer’s body, it was October 2003 and the bench coach was angrily shedding them, swearing never to return over his tiff with George Steinbrenner.
The Yankees had just been upset by the Marlins in the World Series and Zimmer was walking away. Joe Torre’s trusted lieutenant was making a statement over what he thought to be shabby treatment from the Boss, soon finding work instead as an advisor with the division-rival Rays.
Enough time has passed now, and cooler heads have prevailed. The elder Steinbrenner has stepped into the background on day-to-day operations, and the Yankees have a new home Zimmer wants to see. The fan favorite will receive loud cheers on Sunday as a first-time attendee to Old-Timers’ Day, the 63rd annual edition and the first one at this Yankee Stadium.
“I think it’s great,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. “I was with Zim 10 out of 11 of my first years in the big leagues. He’s always been special to me. He was my first manager and I learned a ton of baseball from him. I think it’s great that he’s coming back. He was a part of all those championships here and I’m excited to see him. I’d like to see him take a swing at one.”
Well, we know what happened for the Yankees while Zim was here – and what it’s been like since he’s left. So, at the least, getting the ol’ Attack Gerbil to come back today, for Ol’ Timers, couldn’t hurt, right?
