First pitch on Monday: Mr. October
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- March
- 27
Received this press release from the Yankees:
YANKEES TO PLAY FINAL HOME OPENER IN CURRENT YANKEE STADIUM
The New York Yankees will open the 2008 Championship Season - the 106th in franchise history and the 84th and final season at the current Yankee Stadium - on Monday, March 31 vs. the Toronto Blue Jays at 1:05 p.m.
Originally constructed prior to the 1923 season, Yankee Stadium was remodeled in 1974 and 1975. The club will move into a new state-of-the-art Yankee Stadium across the street from the current Stadium in 2009.
Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson will throw out the game’s ceremonial first pitch in a season that marks the 30th anniversary of the Yankees’ 1978 World Championship campaign. Public address announcer Bob Sheppard will not attend the game as he continues to recuperate from illness. His long-time backup, Jim Hall, will serve in his place.
In addition to the presentation of colors by the West Point Cadet Color Guard, a giant American flag will be unfurled in the outfield by 40 West Point cadets. The national anthem will then be sung by the United States Military Academy at West Point Cadet Glee Club. At the conclusion of the anthem, two U.S. Navy F-18 Hornets piloted by the Strike Fighter Squadron 106 (the Gladiators) will fly over the Stadium.
Pre-game ceremonies will begin at approximately 12:40 p.m. Gates will open at 11:00 a.m.
This entry was posted
on Thursday, March 27th, 2008 at 5:02 pm by Peter Abraham.
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Peter Abraham
Should be Eli Manning
I’ll be there in spirit (and at Joe Robbie Stadium tomorrow and Saturday in person).
No offense to Reggie but did Yogi and Whitey say no. Also I know the Steinbrenners really really like the Glee Club but it would nice to get someone special.
This is the last opening day at the stadium it seems like so far it is like any other opening day at he stadium.
“Also I know the Steinbrenners really really like the Glee Club but it would nice to get someone special.”
They got someone special to them
Frankly, I’d rather hear an amazing chorus sing a beautiful, classical version of the anthem than some super-celeb go up their and “put their stamp” on the anthem by adding frills everywhere.
Unless it was like…Aretha. She’s awesome.
You wonder if Hank didnt pick Reggie to tweak Selig’s nose for booting Reggie from the Yankee bench after the dustup in Tampa. lol
Actually, Reggie is a good pick. Those 3 home runs in the ‘77 World Series really brought the glamor to the refurbished Stadium.
What time does Stan’s open? LOL
WHozat I saw Aretha this past Saturday at Radio city and yes she was amazing.
I dont need some uber celebrity who wants to do runs etc believe me but me the glee club sings during the season and robert merril recording is boorring as far as I am concerned.To be honest the best national anthems I have heard and in one case saw were Marvin Gaye at the NBA All star game and Branford Marsalis and bruce Hornsby who did it at an NBA game as well as the Ripken game
“Should be Eli Manning”
we’re saving him for the World Series Game 1
what do Whitey and Yogi have to do with the 30th aniv. of the 78 champ. REGGIE, REGGIE,REGGIE
Captain Wiley
March 27th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
Pete, I am sure I speak for everyone here in saying that you have done an outstanding job covering the team and keeping us informed this spring so thank you. We realize you have other priorities but this blog was unquestionably the #1 source for current spring training happenings.
Best of luck to you this year and keep up the great work.
Co signed YankeesBen
Longtime i realized that after I posted I just think that that final opening day at the stadium the ball should be thrown out by someone who played more than a few years there.Honor the 78 team at Old Timers Day
e.g., Would be really nice to have a Bernie Williams day in the old stadium this year.
Lori
that would be nice. Bernie is still the man.
Bernie will be there.
my god what is wrong w/ Chad Jennings putting Brett’s lip cut on the blog
anyway J.B. Cox looked better than he has all spring, and as soon as he was done, pitching coordinator Nardi Contreras walked up to shake his hand and say, “That was very good.”
I’m sure the Yanks will honor the stadium and the Yogi’s and the whitey’s of the world on last game played there, one thing the Yanks don’t ever miss out on is to honor their heratige. But a good point Gayle
Steven Jackson 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
J.B. Cox 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
“my god what is wrong w/ Chad Jennings putting Brett’s lip cut on the blog”
not for the faint of heart
Seriously, what in the world is with baseball and these asinine game times? 1:00 on a friggin’ Monday? Don’t they realize people have classes and work to attend? Forget about any chance of going to the game…I’ll be lucky if I can even catch any of it on TV live.
It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.
How ’bout Ashley Simpson for the national anthem!!
And Ashley Dupree could throw out the first balls.
serious, how about Springsteen for the last opening day nat.anthem!!
I’ll be there!!!
Adam: You do know there used to be no night games at all, right?
Bill James is afraid of Michael Fishman
“WHozat I saw Aretha this past Saturday at Radio city and yes she was amazing.”
I hate you. And by “hate”, I mean “envy”.
The Yankees are being overlooked because of their pitching. They have really good young pitchers. I see them making the play offs for like 2 more years and then theyll be in the WW winning. Also watch out for underrated teams like the Padres, and teams to do well this year. Ill call it right now THe Angels will beat the Diamondbacks in the world series.
How about Canseco or Clemens throwing out the first pitch?
No no no… it will be Yankees over the Mets. Hughes will out pitch Santana in Game 7 with Melky hitting a walk off homerun off of Wagner in Extra innings to close down the stadium.
Bill Smith proceeds to jumps off the George Washington Bridge.
I don’t understand why the Yankees are taking either Karstens, Rasner, or Igawa as their long man. None of them are very good. They should make Ohlendorf the long man since he was a starter in the minors. The bullpen should be: Rivera, Chaimberlain, Farnsworth, Hawkins, Traber, Bruney, and Ohlendorf.
Has anyone heard from GreenBeret7? I haven’t seen him post in quite a while, and I hope he’s okay.
I can’t wait for the game on Monday.
It’s really come up fast.
It honestly feels like I was just there watching Torre’s last game.
Clare -
I’ve been watching for GreenBeret7 myself. I haven’t seen a post. He talked about being treated for cancer. I hope he’s okay, too. I guess there’s really no way to know for sure. But, if he’s reading, and just unable to post, GB7, you’re in our thoughts and we hope you get well.
Ugh. That’s about as bad a choice as you can make. I don’t hate Reggie, but there’s far more deserving people to throw that ball, especially when Reggie got banned from the dugout this Spring!
It really should be Yogi to throw out the first pitch, but if you wanted to honor the ‘78 Yanks, why not have Diana Munson do it? Or, considering his current health battles, how about Nettles? Reggie isn’t a bad choice, I am just not sure he is the best one.
I agree - life is short - this is an honor that should be accorded to Yogi, Greg Nettles or Bobby Murcer.
Here is my wish and since they already announced Reggie. My hpe is that perhaps he can convince the Boss to walk out there with him to get his just reward and reggie can throw the pitch.
A toast to Doreen and Gayle…. Class!
Let me add my best wishes if you are reading GB7 and I hope you are back here soon. We didn’t always agree but it was always interesting.
Ugh, maybe its because I wasn’t alive in the 70’s, or maybe because I have never really been a big Reggie Jackson fan, but I just can’t get into him throwing out pitches before games. Plus didn’t he throw out the first pitch before the final playoff game against Cleveland last year? I can think of a list of people I rather see then Reggie, Yogi, Whitey, Murcer, Bernie, Paul O’Neil, The Boss himself, heck even Eli would be interesting as someone mentioned again.
But oh well, its only 30 second thing, and it is the 30th anniversary of the ‘78 championship. I still find this to be a tad bit disappointing.
I will be sure to not miss this!! I have tickets, and Pete I appreciate the post. I will definitely get my butt into the stadium in into my seat by 12:40.
Again, you are the single best source of yankees news. Thanks again for the blog. Know it is appreciated.
Gayle, I too would love to see the boss on the field. The ovation he’d get would definitely reduce him to tears. It would be a nice thank you for the new stadium from the fans.
Get well soon, Bob Sheppard.
Bummer he won’t be calling out the lineup for the final home opener.
Reggie wouldn’t have been my first choice but it’s fine.
nope, it should be new hof-er Goose Gossage!!
“nope, it should be new hof-er Goose Gossage!!”
Excellent point Mike!
Reggie will be eating this up.
I agree with G. Love, it does feel like I was just at Game 4. This offseason flew by. Really looking forward to being there Monday!
kind of a lazy choice… but not a bad one…