Glory days, they’ll pass you by
-
- August
- 22
As you may have heard, the Yankees are planning a “closing ceremony” for the Stadium in November.
The latest rumor is that the musical guest could be Bruce Springsteen or Paul McCartney.
Memo to the Yankees: Bruce is a Yankees fan. With all due respect to Sir Paul, do the right thing here.
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on Friday, August 22nd, 2008 at 2:10 pm by Peter Abraham.
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Peter Abraham
First! But this is awesome, I’m going to go.
I think having Bruce perform would be amazing to close out Yankee Stadium. “Hometown” guy, Yankee fan, could there be a better way?
I’d rather have Paul. Get off of Bruce’s back already, Pete! lol.
Wait a second Pete, I ‘ve seen Paul at the stadium a few times.
Actually, Bruce, Bon Jovi and maybe a “half-time” comedy show by Billy Crystal would be good.
Too bad the team isn’t planning for a November closing.
Why not both? Make it something to really remember. Paul wasn’t my favorite Beatle but he is one of the members of the group that transformed music… kind of like the Yankees transformed baseball.
How about Paul O’Neill on drums and Bernie Williams on guitar?
The music would be terrible, but at least we could all remember the true modern glory days…
Rhapsody is right. I’ve seen Paul at the Stadium more than a handful of times and he is definitely a Yankee fan as well.
sigh.
It’s kind of like closing the barn door after the horses all left.
Springsteen wanted to play at Yankee Stadium during The Rising tour. The Yankees said no, while the Red Sox jumped at the chance to have Bruce play at Fenway. At the time, I told everyone that a drastic mistake was made. 11 months later, the curse was broken.
The moral of the story: If Bruce Springsteen wants to play your building, you let him play your building!!
The night of the sixth game of the ‘96 WS Bruce was on his Tom Joad tour in San Jose. I had tickets and, for several reasons, was bound to attend, torn as I was. I was able to watch the first few innings (and the Girardi triple) before having to get in the car. As we were filing into the arena, word spread that the Yanks had won. Bruce was a bit late coming out because, of course, he had been watching the game. He walked out, said “Yankeeeeees”, and went into his act.
It has to be Bruce.
Keep it local! A standup routine from Billy Crystal and a concert by Bill Joel!
Bernie as a guest guitarist would be really cool.
Rhapsody… the Yanks are planning for a November rebuilding!
Why not both?
And when do tickets go on sale? I am *so* buying.
“Why not both? Make it something to really remember. Paul wasn’t my favorite Beatle but he is one of the members of the group that transformed music… kind of like the Yankees transformed baseball.”
November might be too cold for Paul, he’s very old.
McCartney is a big Yankee fan, and he owns a place in NYC. Have Bruce AND Paul. That would be truly great!
Paul goes to a number of Yankee games, but he’s associated with the Beatles and Shea. Not that Bruce is associated with NY. I think tehy are maybe talking about having both, which would rule!
Come on now Pete, you may be a Bruce fan but he’s not big enough to close out Yankee Stadium! Only Led Zeppelin or Sir Paul is big enough, and Zeppelin already had their reunion concert
“November might be too cold for Paul, he’s very old.”
LOL
Pete, Paul is a Yankee fan too and he is a Beatle. Beatles will always be the greatest, but maybe both will play!
russ great idea!!!
Ber-nie! Ber-nie! Ber-nie!
(…and besides, he’s an excellent musician…)
The only appropriate artist to close out this season is Madonna.
No one gives a damn about Bruce Springsteen.
Please NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Bruce Spangstin. I rather see Clay Aiken than Bruce Spangstin at my Stadium.
NO. NO.
Billy Joel is a Long Island/Shea kind of guy. No to him.
Yes to the Boss. Although it might be a bad idea to expose Cashman to another aging veteran who still gets the job done.
Paul should close out Shea, where the Beatles performed their most famous show.
Why does Shea need closing out?
Ahh I’m not a big fan of Bruce Springsteen but he’d probably be a better choice than Paul McCartney.
Did I already say NO to Bruce Spangstin?
If the pride of New Jersey gets to close out Yankee Stadium, then obviously the shame of New Jersey (Bon Jovi) should close out Shea.
Sadly, while Bruce or Sir Paul will be closing out Yankee Stadium, the Mets could well be closing out Shea in the WS.
Maybe the “HOF”er that Pete mentioned in a previous post isn’t a Baseball Hall of Fame member, but one from the Rock ‘n Roll HOF.
I’ll go as long as I can sit MY Sunday seats!
BOTH!!!!
Special appearances by Bernie and Pauly!
Billy Joel doesn’t perform anymore. He is into other venues, so he wouldn’t do it in any event.
Closing Shea can be done simply by flushing the toilet.
Sir Paul has played with other artists over his career in various venues. So has Bruce.
How about some star studded event, Bruce, Sir Paul, Eric Clapton… a real blow out to close the ol’ gal down?
The last event at the Stadium should be a Yankee game.
I’ll never forget Macca in the stands of the 2001 ALCS game against Seattle jumping and cheering when Soriano hit a home run (walk off?)
I am an absolute Yankee fanatic and share equal passion as a Beatles/McCartney fan (yes, I know the lyrics to Wings’ b-sides)
Further to this, I am a Springsteen fanatic. Just like Pete.
If any of this transpires and the stadium is closed out by either of these acts, then the 2008 season will be that much easier to handle come the days of October and November.
How about Britney Spears?
I think whoever plays at the Stadium should play the Yankee Mambo
I’d rather see KRS do “South Bronx”.
i think ill pass on Springsteen…..his music is catchy but this is something not very many people know:
Bruce Springsteen does not know how to read music. I think that he is one of the most overrated musicians ever…
Jon Heyman was just on with Francessa at Bar A.
- Hank/Hal might be in a power struggle, they are not really close. One in their 30s and one in their 50s, one is studios, button-down type and one is a “party/shirt off” type guy. Disagreed on a lot of issues including Cashman. Thinks Hal has the power.
- Sabathia wants to go to the Giants, but doesn’t think SF will give out another Zito type contract and he is building a house in Southern California. Thinks Yankees will go hard after him along with Texas with Nolan Ryan in charge. Says his contract will easily exceed Santana money and the Mets will look smart for acquiring Santana at a good price.
- Teixeria is not going to take a discount to stay with Anaheim. He is a big “union guy” and will go for the most money. Says the Mets will not be after him and likely bring back Delgado so the suitors will be the Yankees, Angels, Seattle, and Baltimore.
- Doesn’t think Manny is coming here, hasn’t shown interest in playing in his hometown. Dodgers will likely pay up.
- Mike asked him what the mood will be like if we are dead by September and the Mets are taking over the town, all Heyman offered was that he thinks we will go on a spending spree in the off-season.
- Thinks we have to bring back Mussina, he reinvited himself like Maddux when everyone thought he was done. Says Andy will come back if he wants to because he is a “new yorker who is from houston”, whatever that means.
- And as no surprise, Heyman declared us dead.
“Maybe the “HOFâ€er that Pete mentioned in a previous post isn’t a Baseball Hall of Fame member, but one from the Rock ‘n Roll HOF”.
Now THAT would be impressive.
Wow, for the Yankees even to consider bringing either Paul or Bruce in makes me happy
Keep any ‘popular’ music acts from the recent decade out of the Stadium, please.
Pete is probably all happy because he won’t have to buy a ticket this time, lol.
I’d rather see John Mellencamp.
Aaron:
The Beatles did not read music and it’s not until recently (if at all) that Paul knows, considering his forays into classical work.
and you’re a springsteen fan and are obviously biased. springsteen sucks in my opinion and most people’s. i wouldn’t choose either, but give the 2 options, mccartney is the best choice.
“i think ill pass on Springsteen…..his music is catchy but this is something not very many people know:
Bruce Springsteen does not know how to read music. I think that he is one of the most overrated musicians ever…”
Actually, Bruce is one of the most underrated musicians. People know the catchy stuff, but he’s been putting out prolific music for nearly 40 years. His songbook spans rock, pop, soul, country, and folk. He is also one of the most respected musicians amongst other musicians. Everyone from Johnny Cash to Rage Against the Machine has covered his songs.
Yankees should just play the game, and not have a musical closing
Yankee stadium was known for baseball, not overrated musicians
Whoa, have you polled most people for their opinions? Or, are you just posting your own?
Considering my fanaticism for Bruce, McCartney and all things Yankee, what I fear about the prospect of the two performing at YS is that all three of my worlds would collide and I would end up inverted, kind of like Malkovich going inside Malkovich’s head in “Being John Malkovich.”
What about me???……(tear)
Don’t worry, Aaron. I am sure your favorite act, Milli Vanilli will be asked if Bruce and Paul are unavailable.
Sorry, Pete, but McCartney trumps Springsteen. And they should have NRBQ open, making their “At Yankee Stadium” album a reality.
“springsteen sucks in my opinion and most people’s”
Is that your objective opinion?
“springsteen sucks in my opinion and most people’sâ€
I guess those 70 million albums in the US alone would not be “most” people.
If you can get McCartney, you get McCartney.
Just one guest?
And Heyman is clueless.
The most appropriate band would be Great White
Bruce over Paul? Most. Ridiculous. Comment. Ever.
The house that Ruth built, an altar to the American Past time, closed by a Brit? I love the Beatles as much as the next guy but you can’t close the stadium with anything but Bruce to celebrate “Glory Days” of Yankee Stadium.
WCBS reported that the Yankees were trying to get BOTH Bruce and Paul.
I think Paul is a fan of the Yankees too. He had positive remarks to Bernie about his CD and I have seen/read other things that points to the fact that he likes the Yankees.
But if it came down to it, you would have to go with the local hero Bruce.
Pete Great Title to this post.
Considering our current position in the standings.
RICH-
How about a reunion of all the hair metal bands.
Why wait until November?
Rob NY,
When they close Wembley Stadium, Bruce can play there. LOL.
whoa,
Tell the truth, you’re a Hansen fan, right?
Didn’t Bon Jovi close Wembley Stadium?
mmmmmmmmmmmmmBOP!
If the time come’s when they say we are mathematically eliminated, I will mourn, but until then I will do my best to keep the faith.
However a 13yr run isn’t bad……..
What about a charity baseball game?
Current Yankees VS HOF/Ex Yankees?
mmmmmmmmmmmmmBOP!
stab yourself
“Don’t worry, Aaron. I am sure your favorite act, Milli Vanilli will be asked if Bruce and Paul are unavailable.”
That might be difficult being that one of them is no longer living.
How about Paul Simon?
I think Billy Crystal should do the opening act, then have whatever singers you get, to all do their own music at the exact same time. That kind of high-energy, high-level confusion is the perfect way to pay homage to the Steinbrenner years.
I’m not a particular fan of either, but both put on a great show. I’m glad the Yanks are ponying up, rather than hire some grade B talent. Bruce would get my vote since he’s a local.
I said:
“Don’t worry, Aaron. I am sure your favorite act, Milli Vanilli will be asked if Bruce and Paul are unavailable.â€
Then RSM said:
“That might be difficult being that one of them is no longer living.”
RSM:
Neither is Carl Pavano, but somehow, some way…could they?
We have the technology…it can be done.
How about Terry Cashman and Suzyn Waldman playing ALL THE VERSIONS EVER of “Talkin’ Baseball”?
About the only thing I like about Springsteen is Silvio. But I won’t be there, so rock on.
Paul>Bruce.
The question is which one closes the old one and which one opens the new one?
wtf is Bruce springsteen? stfu with all of that already!
Actually McCartney is a Yankees fan. I’ll take Paul McCartney over Bruce. I must admit I have never got why Springsteen was such a big deal. Also when I think of crazed Bruce fans I think of Chris Russo and that in itself makes me want to run away, lol.
I’m from NJ and i don’t like Bruce springsteen and think he is over rated.
For all those who think the Yankees are old and over-rated but famous and rich, Springsteen will seem like the perfect choice.
How many of the Yankees players currently have one of Bruce’s numbers played when they come to bat?
I’m all for the opening act with Billy Crystal With Billy Joel and special guest Sir Elton John
I
In all due respect….this is Paul McCartney we’re talking about…..It would be incredible….
I think Pete meant do the right thing for Pete. McCartney is in a completely different class than Bruce. If you want fitting, there you go.
On the other hand, baseball is an American sport. And Bruce definitely has the American thing going on. I can’t really stand more than a couple of Springsteen songs in a row. But what do I care? I won’t be there anyway.
Regardless, the focus should not be on the performer(s), but on Yankee Stadium and it’s history. Maybe a big star isn’t the right way to go at all? Save the money and give away some free tickets next year!
with all due respect to the Boss, Hes not Paul McCartney.
Pete,
Do you do any research before you write? You are supposed to be a professional and this should fall under your job expectations.
Paul McCartney is a regular at Yankee games, he has fallen in love with baseball in general but especially the Yankees. He may even be a Yankee season-ticket holder. As a matter of fact, he was in NY on Sept. 11th, 2001 on a plane at one of the NY/NJ airports when the attack happened. The reason he was in NY, was to see the Yankees play, then he hung around NYC to get some business done and was flying back to London.
You are a a perfect example for everything that is wrong with Journalism today. You think your opinion matters, it doesn’t. You think that our thoughts are equal to facts, they are not. You have a slant going into any story-line and just write whatever fits that slant. We know them all by now:
Girardi is bad, he doesn’t tell me everything he know. Of course, Bellichick gets a passfor the same because your a Pats fan.
Torre was a God, Bruce is a God, Blah, Blah.
You are a Fraud.
Wow, that guy’s upset.
I vote for Ringo….
Get a live dude
Pete how does bruces ………….. taste?
Dave W., you need an enema.
Have both, but a Beatle beats anyone else every time.
Do the right thing? Bring in the guy who’s one of the greatest singer ever, Paul McCartney. It’s not even a contest. Springsteen is a nice singer, but even comparing him to Paul is silly.
My Dad is an old time Tigers fan having been born in Detroit, and blames himself for me being a lifeling Yankee fanatic. Being a good son I took him to the closing of Tiger Stadium back in ‘99. We sat in the section where he’d seen his first game as a boy (right field home run porch) and sat next to Kirk Gibson who’d sat there for his first game as a boy too. Gibby shook our hands in the 8th inning, and said he had to rush off.
As the game concluded, and the players entered the dugout the center field wall suddenly opened and a uniformed Mark “The Bird” Fydrich ran to the mound and began his routine of fixing the mound with his hand. The crowd went crazy, and then ol’ Ernie Harwell began announcing all the old players (including Gibby) as they ran to their former positions on the field. Gabe Kapler was asked to wear an old uniform resembling Ty Cobb, and looked scared running onto the field.
This was such a memorable way to send off an old lady like Tiger Stadium. I’d love to see the Yankees honor our old-timers, HOF’s, fan memories and our ballpark the same way, and hopefully have dear old Mr. Sheppard back to conduct the ceremonies. Then… bring on Bruce and Paul.
Bummer its the ESPN Sunday Night game, as this should honorably be a day game. Certain to be a 4-hr game too, so events should wrap just in time for morning rush hour.
BTW… my Pop surprised me recently with right field bleacher seats for the last game. Just where I’d seen my first game.
Glory Days, they pass you by…
The closing ceremony should be the last game on the 21st. Hopefully, it’s a win with Mo closing it out.
That aside, I love the Beatles but I think the local guy who was born in this country should have the honor. As noted earlier, Paul Simon, a lifelong Yankee fan and friend of Bernie’s, should be there too just to sing that one line “where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio”.
did Bruce wear a Mets hat in the Glory days video?
This Springsteen slathering is all well and good, but how many songs has the man actually written about the Yankees?
One less, it seems, than another noted songster reputed to be a Yankees fan:
Used to work on Mr. Finley’s farm
But the old man wouldn’t pay
So he packed his glove and took his arm
An’ one day he just ran away.
Catfish, million-dollar-man,
Nobody can throw the ball like Catfish can.
Come up where the Yankees are,
Dress up in a pinstripe suit,
Smoke a custom-made cigar,
Wear an alligator boot.
Catfish, million-dollar-man,
Nobody can throw the ball like Catfish can.
Carolina born and bred,
Love to hunt the little quail.
Got a hundred-acre spread,
Got some huntin’ dogs for sale.
Catfish, million-dollar-man,
Nobody can throw the ball like Catfish can.
Even Billy Martin grins
When the Fish is in the game.
Every season twenty wins
Gonna make the Hall of Fame.
Catfish, million-dollar-man,
Nobody can throw the ball like Catfish can.
http://tinyurl.com/5kzkuh
McCartney recently played a free concert on the Plains of Abraham for the 400th anniversary of Quebec City. I was one of 200,000 attendees. It was incredible.
Why not both and more mainstream artists.
I posted this before, but it seems like some of you need to attend a music appreciation/history class.
People know the catchy stuff, but Springsteen has been putting out prolific music for nearly 40 years. His songbook spans rock, pop, soul, country, and folk. He is also one of the most respected musicians amongst other musicians. Everyone from Johnny Cash to Rage Against the Machine has covered his songs.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame voters consist of musicians, Rock historians, critics, producers, industry executives, etc….
Springsteen and McCartney were inducted in the same year. Bruce was a first ballot inductee, however, it took McCartney a number of years before getting in.
There’s no need to even discuss who the better live performer is.
Poor Yorick:
I didn’t know that Dylan was such a “Catfish” fan. Thanks for the link.
either would be a really good choice, but i think your bias as a bruce fan is coloring your judgment here, pete.
McCartney went into the R & R Hall as a Beatle years ago. Comparing his and Bruce’s inudctions is ignorant. I love both of them for significantly different reasons.
Why no love for Billy Joel?
I’m a huge Springsteen fan. I like the Beatles, but I’m iffy on McCartney’s solo work.
That said, this is Yankee Stadium we’re talking about. The answer is both of them, and add Paul Simon while we’re at it.
No one person can “close” Yankee Stadium.
if you want to compare the Beatles to Bruce springsteen, you are nuts.
Both are in the rock and roll hall of fame, as are a ton of artists. But you know why there isn’t all that much Beatle stuff there, in the R&RHOF museum? Because it’s in the Smithsonian.