Old -Timers Day

[Band of Brothers]

I happened to be flipping through the T.V. this morning until I got to the YES Network that carries Yankees games. Today is Old -Timers Day at Yankee Stadium and the Yankees do it up right. Seeing all the older players , the history, and the pageantry of it all gives you goosebumps. Today Goose Gossage was honored with a plaque in Monument Park.

Rickey Henderson looked like he could still play. Micky Rivers was cutting up making jokes. Reggie Jackson was good old Reggie...Mr. October. It was good to see Willie Randolph who was one of my favorite infielders in the 70's ...just pure class . Of course Joe Torre got a big ovation for his time with the Yanks winning 4 WS Championships there.

I am not a Yankees fan but when they announced Dr. Bobby Brown, Whitey Ford, Don Larson, and Yogi Berra I kinda choked up a little. Just a great ceremony and Yogi has always been one of my favorites. Won 10 WS Championships more than anyone else ever. He was a little guy but had a big heart when he played.

Watching this today I wished the Giants would bring back Old - Timers Day and bring back all the players from the past again. I remember going to see Mays, and McCovey at Old - Timers Day and got to see Bobby Bonds clear the metal bleachers in left at the 'Stick on a long HR and I said Wow. It's important to remember the past and to show our appreciation to the players that came before. The Giants have always done a good job of remembering players from the past but they have to bring back Old - Timers Day. The players seem to have a blast and the fans some young who learn about the past and the old who remember good times. It's good to be remembered.

 

[calsnowskier]

The giants have a pretty strong alumni-organization, I think. They have always had strong relations with Mays, McCovey, the Alou brothers, etc. They have also built strong relations with the alumn from the last 25 years or so (Clark, Dravecky, Dunston, Righetti, Bonds (building), Estes, Aurillia, PTMFB, etc).

I would rank the Giants alumn program up near the top in MLB. Probably not as rich as the Spanks, but certainly in the same neighborhood. I ink the Spanks, dogs, Cards and Giants probably have the best alumn relations going in the bigs right now.

 

[Band of Brothers]

I guess the Old - Timers day was yesterday not today at Yankee Stadium. Must of been a repeat.

 

[obxyankeefan]

The Yankees are the only team that still does the Old-Timers game. I for one would love to see the other teams pick this back up. As BoB said, even players you did not like it still brings back memories to see them take the field again.

 

[calsnowskier]

The Yankees are the only team that still does the Old-Timers game. I for one would love to see the other teams pick this back up. As BoB said, even players you did not like it still brings back memories to see them take the field again.

How do they do it? Do they have a game of the oldies vs the current crop or do they put together two squads?

I wonder what insurance issues arise with a bunch of aging dudes running around the field.

 

[obxyankeefan]

How do they do it? Do they have a game of the oldies vs the current crop or do they put together two squads?

I wonder what insurance issues arise with a bunch of aging dudes running around the field.

They change it up every year it seems. Most of the time it is oldies vs younger oldies. I do remember one year they did Yankees vs players from other teams.

 

[obxyankeefan]

They change it up every year it seems. Most of the time it is oldies vs younger oldies. I do remember one year they did Yankees vs players from other teams.

I should add it is more about the pageantry then the actual game. To me it is about watching my childhood Heroes or Villians take the field again.

 

[calsnowskier]

I should add it is more about the pageantry then the actual game. To me it is about watching my childhood Heroes or Villians take the field again.

I get that.

I seem to remember (am I making this up??) the Giants and A's used to have these games. It is definitely all about the player announcements and the guys clowning around with each other.

I would think something like that would be great just because the season starts. Have the alumni team play against a team of org prospects. Good for the parents. Good for the kids. Good for the prospects. Good for the gate.

 

[Sportsguy9695]

being a yankee fan I like old timers day and I would like to see other teams do it. it would be pretty cool if one day all teams did it

 

[Mays-Fan]

being a yankee fan I like old timers day and I would like to see other teams do it. it would be pretty cool if one day all teams did it

Maybe they should start a Seniors league like they do with golf and tennis.

And who wouldn't want to spend some quality family time booing the players of your youth one more time? Benard , Benitez, LeMaster...fun for the whole family.

Just kidding actually. It's a great idea. I remember an oldtimers HOF game many years ago when Luke Appling, 70 years old, actually hit a home run. The place went nuts. Good stuff.

 

[Mays-Fan]

Maybe they should start a Seniors league like they do with golf and tennis.

And who wouldn't want to spend some quality family time booing the players of your youth one more time? Benard , Benitez, LeMaster...fun for the whole family.

Just kidding actually. It's a great idea. I remember an oldtimers HOF game many years ago when Luke Appling, 70 years old, actually hit a home run. The place went nuts. Good stuff.

Correction - 75 years old.

[YOUTUBE]7jHV7-y5MWk[/YOUTUBE]

 

[calsnowskier]

Maybe they should start a Seniors league like they do with golf and tennis.

And who wouldn't want to spend some quality family time booing the players of your youth one more time? Benard , Benitez, LeMaster...fun for the whole family.

Just kidding actually. It's a great idea. I remember an oldtimers HOF game many years ago when Luke Appling, 70 years old, actually hit a home run. The place went nuts. Good stuff.

Didn't they try that in the early 90s?

 

[Mays-Fan]

Didn't they try that in the early 90s?

Aren't the players too old by then?

 

[calsnowskier]

Aren't the players too old by then?

Oy vey...