Today in The Journal News
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Sep 20, 2008 
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As the the Yankees prepare for the last game at their historic home, Brett Gardner helped them beat the Orioles last night.
It was a late report today for the players, so back a little later with the lineup.
first comment….
I love you Brett.. Please stay in CF and keep playing D the way you are
A farewell to my fans
When I am just a faded memory,
and my dimensions shift in your mind’s eye-
think back upon the nights you spent at me
around a field of green beneath the sky.
For you were here the night back in 04’
The night that Jeter dove into my stands
When Yanks and Red Sox played a thirteenth Frame
he caught the ball but had to leave the game.
And you were here when A-Rod hit three bombs
Against the cy young candidate Colon-
you stood expectant in my left field stands
To catch the fourth if ever it should land..
Who can forget old Freddy and his pan-
The “Ancient Mariner†of Yankee fans
He wanders through my aisles just like a vendor-
He bangs the drum more slowly this September.
I’ve been the field where Ruth and Mantle played-
where DiMaggio stood out at center stage.
I’ve been the home plate where the luckiest man
bowed out before his disbelieving fans.
I’ve played host often to a Series game
My champions have added to my fame.
The shadows long upon my infield face
As days grew short and cool at Autumn’s pace.
I was the place George Herman lay in state
When he lost his fight for life in 48’
Thousands of you wandered past his bier
(the only one he didn’t want, I hear).
But now my time has come, they say I’m through
And I think hard what Gehrig had to do-
He passed on the baton from failing hands
So I too say my farewell to the fans.
Nice poem!
Okay I just give up. I will give in to being an emotional basketcase until I’m not. Everything I read now brings tears. All I had to read was a post in another thread about someone reading Paul Simon’s piece and crying and it brought me to tears – and I didn’t even read it yet. I linked to Verducci’s article and read the first sentence and started crying. So I will read it at another time.
Leaving this Stadium behind is breaking this homer’s heart.
Hey Trisha – I am so excited for you to be going to the game tomorrow night. Please take pictures. I’ll be watching on YES.
I wasn’t feeling the emotion until the last few days – now that it is actually here and the stadium is about to close. So many game memories and personal memories of times at the stadium with my dad are flooding back.
Have a great time tomorrow.
The Jays Shaun Marcum is expected to miss the 2009 season to have TJ surgery.
JP Riccardi may add a few million and another year to what he was prepared to offer Burnett.
Just finished reading Verducci’s brilliant, brilliant article in SI. I will buy the magazine, because it’s a must-keep story.
I feel like this whole weekend is an extended requiem Mass, the final game and ceremonies a loving eulogy.
Trisha -
Don’t forget your Kleenex tomorrow!!! Make sure it’s the extra-soft kind, too.
Oh Fran, I’ve been really fine about it until about the last week. I really thought I’d see it as not such a big deal. But I guess the reality has finally sunk in. And I am one very insignificant person living at a distance who is nevertheless part of such an enormous family – followers and lovers of the New York Yankees. I remember being packed into my godfather’s station wagon (do they even still exist?) and taking the seemingly endless ride to the Bronx, my godparents and my grandfather in the front, me riding in the back with my cousins.
My mom was born in Tuckahoe NY so all of her side of the family were naturally Yankee fans. I got it from them. Her family moved to RI at some point but their love for the Yankees came with them. The irony is that I am the only Yankee fan in my family. If my mom and dad had chosen different godparents for me (my godmother is my mom’s sister) I might have ended up on the dark side!
So I guess to paraphrase Joe Di, I thank the good Lord for assigning me the appropriate godparents!
We will take lots of pics. When I looked at all the programming, it started to make me crazy. I want every bit of it, even the stuff from midnight on showing some of he best games at the Stadium. But as I told one of my neighbors this morning, I would need 20 VCRs to tape it all! I’ve already asked 3 different people to tape things for me. In addition, I have asked one of my sisters to babysit my VCR and change tapes at some point. I want it all! Of course it would have been easier for me to ask more people if it wasn’t Yankee content.
But I at least started with the two or more television homes.
I can’t believe this is it. The last time I will ever see a game in this stadium. Its gonna be very sad leaving for the final time. I hope they don’t rush us out
Trisha, it will probably take days for all of the pomp and circumstance from tomorrow night sink in. I am setting my DVR for everything even though I’ll be watching so I’ll be able to rewatch what I miss through tears.
Fran – that’s why I want tapes of everything. Television definitely gives you the best perspective. You get to see it way up close and personal.
Now I wish I had TIVO. (I still don’t quite understand the concept. But I know I’d be in good shape right now if I had it right?)
If you know anything about TIVO, can you tape 20 programs at once, even if they’re on all different stations? I wonder if I could go and get one today!
Doreen, seriously thanks for mentioning kleenex. I have just about everything else ready to go!