The Yankees send the Stadium out a winner (with Jeter speech audio)
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- September
- 21
Wild scene here in the Bronx. There are police officers in riot gear ringing the field and a phalanx of officers on horseback in the outfield.
The Yankees are gathering on the mound for a photo and Derek Jeter is addressing the crowd.
“There are few things about the Yankees that never change, it’s pride and tradition and most of all we have the greatest fans in the world,” he said.
Led by Jeter, the entire team is now taking a lap around the field, tipping their caps to the crowd.
UPDATE, 11:54 p.m.: Players from both teams took dirt off the infield. Now Mariano has led a group of players to the mound to pose for photos. This is a nice scene. Only one fan tried to run on the field and he was hogtied by about 20 cops.
Here is Jeter’s speech:
(It’s recorded from the press box as he spoke to the crowd from the mound).
UPDATE, 12:10 a.m.: Here is Jeter’s speech:
“Every member of this organization, past and present, has been calling this place home for 85 years, There’s a lot of tradition, a lot of history and a lot of memories. Now the great thing about memories is you’re able to pass it along from generation to generation.
“Although things are going to change next year. We’re going to move across the street. There are a few things that New York Yankees that never change. That’s pride, tradition and most of all we have the greatest fans in the world.
We want you to take the memories from this stadium, add them to the new memories that come at the new Yankee Stadium and continue to pass them along from generation to generation. So on behalf of the entire organization, we want to take this moment to salute you, the greatest fans in the world.â€
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on Sunday, September 21st, 2008 at 11:48 pm by Peter Abraham.
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Peter Abraham
Hehe, in the background you could see someone jump the barricade and instantly be tackled by 10+ guards
well done by all tonight
you know, in some ways it’s better that tonight is the last game at the stadium. The postseason can end at any time and usually feels extremely bitter after losing. To play this way, end with a win, and still have a chance.
Now the whole team is doing a lap. Wow.
I’m actually crying for the first time in months.
No tears here, it’s great theatre. Gotta love this team.
This is almost like a World Series win right now.
me too Joe..
This DVR tape is definitely a keeper though.
Wow I have chills. Some of these players are getting a real taste of what it means to be a Yankee.
The only thing that sucks about this is that I haven’t seen Chien-ming Wang.
A great sendoff!!!
I know I came off angry at this team at times but Thank You for representing New York City all of you !
Classy
All the players are taking dirt, just saw Phil Hughes with a cup. This is great.
No one is leaving!!
Mo is gonna get a bucket of dirt.
I’m sorry but the “surprise” of Jeter talking to the crowd and the lap wasn’t much of a surprise. Other than that, it was a perfect night.
if i were lucky enough to be there, i wouldnt leave!
What is the artifact to be revealed?
Just an amazing night.
Man, people out there can hate the Yankees, but if they don’t respect them, they don’t respect baseball.
Joba gets some dirt
I really wish I went.
Thank You Yankees and thank you Peter.
I want that picture of Mo, Andy, Jorge, and the Cap.
The camera following Mo into the stadium was one of the greatest scenes of the night and quite possibly my favorite moment from what I watched.
Amazing.
This was really an emotional night. The lap around the field by the Yankees was really special.
Guys, you realize, this is something we’ll take to our graves, right?
Nice to see the players hanging out signing for the fans.
I was surprised, never expected the captain to give a speech or taking a team lap around the stadium. Very pleasantly surprised.
So the last hit at Yankee Stadium came off the bat of Jason Giambi
The last RBI came off the bat of Robinson Cano
The last HR Jose Molina
The last strikeout by Joba Chamberlain on Aubrey Huff
The last out Brian Roberts
The last pitch thrown by Mariano Rivera
Too funny that Tino sat in the bleachers yesterday and no one recognized him!
Note to self (and everyone else): Leave it alone tonight, make fun of Pete for the Pats tomorrow
tino was in the bleachers and no one recognized him?
Wow.
That is hysterical.
What a day.. An amazing sendoff. Absolutely amazing jobs by both ESPN and the YES Network. No postseason..that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun! haha
Kevin
Thank you, Pete, for this blog, and thanks to all of the regulars for making a great thing even better.
I can’t imagine what the off-season will be like… Baseball has meant so much to me this year. Even though its not the magical season we all wanted, the Yankees have been my life for the past six months, and tonight made the hard times worth while.
I don’t want it to end.
am i the only yankee fan embarrassed? really, the final game at the stadium takes place on sept. 21. if this group of players really appreciated the “greatest fans in the world” they would have showed some heart this year. this was a nice sendoff for the cathedral, but the whole thing was a blunt reminder of the dire straights our organization is in. after 13 years of postseason play this group of ballplayers were pretty excited to take a lap around the field, turn off the lights forever, and get packed for the offseason.
This is unreal. What a night.
Favorite parts, anyone? Mine was obviously seeing Bernie again, he is my favorite player of all time and it did my heart so good to see him back in pinstripes, I don’t even have the words. And, of course, the great Mariano closing it out, class through and through, till the end. I only wish Jeter had gotten a hit, but I do love the irony of Molina hitting the last homer. It is so befitting of the amazing game of baseball, where anyone can be the hero. Bucky Dent was smiling watching that one!
Now I’m LMAO at Tino talking about going incognito in the bleachers yesterday. Gotta love these guys!!!! My only gripe with the whole night, as someone mentioned above, was the complete lack of CM Wang. He is a part of this park’s history now and should have gotten some airtime.
Other than that, this was the best close-out I could have possibly imagined. God bless this wonderful ballpark and our beloved New York Yankees!!!
Appropriately, the baseball gods decreed that their hallowed heroes of this pastime of the these great United States of America should not qualify for this year’s playoffs.
The gods wished it: the national audience of this most reverent game witnessed it. The heart of baseball that is the New York Yankees and their devoted fans always deeply knew and felt this. A celebration of the game that goes beyond winning. A celebration at Yankee stadium in a non-playoff season. Who would have thunk!
There was Andy Pettite in a losing season receiving a standing ovation. There was Robbie Cano handing his gloves to an eight year old over the dug out. Before, you saw Reggie Jackson sitting in the stands with the fans, taking pictures.
And then there was Derek Jeter, who fittingly was the last Yankees batter, speaking to the crowd, telling them that memories are there so that the pride, tradition and victory which is the New York Yankees glory, could continue.
You felt the ghosts of Gherig and Ruth and the other greats.
And as Derek finished it so verily, “to the greatest fans in the world”.
You gotta love this if you are a baseball fan.
As tonight the baseball gods signed it in the book of life.
I’m bawling – the idea of the Stadium being torn down is heartbreaking. However, I will always remember her and I know new memories will be made at the new YAS.
The moment with the players on the mound was extraordinary and Jeter’s speech was perfect. What a send-off – truly beautiful.
The players taking a victory lap around the Stadium? Wow – what memories those fans at the park will have, and I will have them as well even though I only watched this play out on my tv screen.
__________________
Congrats, Pete, on being a big part of the way us fans enjoy this team the past few seasons and hopefully for many more to come. Thanks for all you do.
“am i the only yankee fan embarrassed?”
Yes which means that you’re not a Yankee fan at all.
will there be a DVD of the pre and post-game…? They wont have trouble selling a copy or two. Not too me.
Barry
Just a remarkable evening…
Amazing…
Stupendous…
One for the ages…
I know that The Glory that once was will be again!
Dynasty is Destiny!
Who scored the last run, Gardner, right? (or was that the 2nd to last) Here’s hoping he also scores the first run at the new park!
I missed CMW too, maybe they didn’t want him to walk amongst so many people after his foot injury.
Hey Pete, can you find out why Wang wasn’t around?
Great night in the Bronx. Unforgetable. I just wish don mattingly was there too.
BBB: Jeter’s speech.
With the entire team behind him.
That was ultimate class, and that is what this entire thing is about.
Without the fans, the game means nothing.
hughes wang small chacons
September 22nd, 2008 at 12:11 am
am i the only yankee fan embarrassed?
__________________________________________________
Even if you really were a Yankee fan, the answer is NO.
The lap by the players saluting the fans was really classy.
In my lifetime with this Stadium, 5 World Championships, 8 Pennants, many playoff games, at least a half a dozen games, and a lot of good times.
BBB,
Yes, it was Gardner who scored the last run…
Who had the last at-bat in Pinstripes?
That’s right-The Captain!
BBB – I’m with you, Bernie is my favorite player (I’m 22 so I didn’t have the privilege of seeing so many other players).
I just LOVE the way that Bernie Williams played the game. Full speed all the time, just did everything the right way.
Sadly, there are a few other “fans” like you. I believe they are called trolls.
“am i the only yankee fan embarrassed?”
Yeah, you probably are the only one. Try to take comfort in the fact that the rest of us are enjoying tonight more than enough for the rest of you.
Always and forever, win or lose, “dire straits” or not…YANKEE PRIDE!!!
And on a sidenote, huge thanks to Pete for providing this great place for us to wave our flags! Everyone in my house except me has to wake up super early tomorrow, so they crashed right after the last out, but I am way too amped to do the same, it is terrific to be able to post that joy here
Bernie Williams comes back to the fold…
The Yankees win…
Jeter’s Speech…
Talk about memories…
Great sendoff to the Stadium.
Made me forget about the frustrations of the season and look forward to a new season and new era starting in a few months.
Long live the great memories of the Stadium!
Bernie Williams comes back to the fold…
The Yankees win…
Jeter’s Speech…
Talk about memories…
And Alex actually stayed
“And Alex actually stayed”
LOL
The day ended just like we would have scripted it. It was great sharing Yankees Stadium memories all day and blogging through all of the festivities. It made today even more special for me. See you all tomorrow.
ive never been more happy to be a yankee fan in my life…this was one of the greatest days of my life…truly beautiful
I don’t think this all could have been written any better
Except the Jose Molina part
Brandon (We’ll miss you Yankees Stadium !)…”Keep Manny away !”
September 22nd, 2008 at 12:20 am
And Alex actually stayed
_____________________________________________________
Sorry, Brandon, but, even as a joke, that was unnecessary. Like Rodriguez or not (and, for whatever reason, a majority don’t), he works and tries as hard as any player on that team. He’s a lot better team mate than Wells or Leyritz ever was.
“Guys, you realize, this is something we’ll take to our graves, right?”
Without a doubt. Well said, Rebecca. What we take to our graves is deeper than simply this night, too. I’m sure everyone realizes that without me saying it, though.
And considering a lot of the other garbage we all are going to take to our graves from the age we live in, that makes it even more special.
I think we saw the best of the Yankees tonight, in all ways. I almost wish this was the last game of the season because I have warm fuzzy feelings right now.
What’s wrong with Jose Molina getting the last HR? He’s been a gamer all season and a nice guy.
hi everyone. I enjoyed the game from behind the screen with my father. In the fourth or fifth boomer wells the David cone sat down in front of us. Great to talk to those guys in between the autograph hounds. They were classy. More stories to come tomorrow…
Mo scooping dirt from the mound…that’s awesome.
That was everything I could’ve asked for. Brought a tear to my eye. I also loved the shot of David Wells drinking a beer lol
Damn Mo leave some dirt for the rest of us
Folks, great game, and ESPN did a fine job. That’s it for the Stadium, but the season isn’t over yet and the Yankees are going to be playing game and winning championships in a new Stadium. Let’s see Moose win #19 and let’s see Cliff Lee beat the Sox and take it from there.
It was better than any of us could have imagined it. I can’t remember feeling such sentimental emotions about the Yankees.
This puts a whole new twist on what this season means.
You know i can’t agree more how fittingly it was for Derek to be the last yankee better to hit in the stadium,
but imagine what you guys would say if it was A-rod???
classic stuff guy’s. i’m not a yankee fan cause i’m not ok with finishing in 4th.
ok, i’ll appease ya’ll… that lap was just amazing, it feels better than a 27th ring.
I bought my Jose memorabilia while it’s still affordable
If I could have scripted it Jeter would have hit the last HR (and that was NOT strike 3 when he was hitting with the bases loaded, but I’m not surprised A. Hernandez of all umps would call him out) but I love that it was Molina that did it. It shows why baseball’s greatness is unparalleled in professional sports. In the NBA for example, you would never see the equivalent of a Jose Molina hitting the GW shot, because he would never be allowed anywhere near the ball in a crucial situation. Only in America’s pastime does everyone have an equal chance to contribute, can anyone be the hero on any given Sunday night baseball. heh.
Jose Molina, true Yankee
We can always consider it a present from the baseball gods for how much he’s helped Moose this season, cause imagine where we’d be if Moose hadn’t pitched like he did!
Amazingly, Jeter’s speech was pretty much “off the cuff”. That’s the most honest speech I’ve heard in years.
You know i can’t agree more how fittingly it was for Derek to be the last yankee better to hit in the stadium,
but imagine what you guys would say if it was A-rod???
YB, just be glad it wasn’t and walk away ….
hughes wang small chacons
Timing is everything. Save it for another night.
Thanks Pete for doing such a great job with this blog!! I am now following along in Alaska!!
Brandon you’re right, i better shot my mouth.
Mariano is taking the BP bench as a souveneir
do you guys realize that once everyone gets around to leaving, they will be embarking on the last roadtrip of the season aka rookie hazing! will it be overlooked with all the chaos/emotion, i sure hope not
great night, I will remember it for ever.
great organization, great fans….
let’s take 1 day before we rebuild the team for next year….
nice to see Bernie come back, I lost the feed DirecTV here in Calif. thinks it is Yankeeography time…
my favorite stadium moment is Mo after the Boone HR lying on the mound, he pitched 3 innings of no run ball and was spent emotionally and gave everything he had..
Mo is a once in a lifetime person and athlete…
At least they gave the Yankees tomorrow off so they can recover.
Wish I could take tomorrow off from class but I’ve been told I can’t do that unless I’m facing my iminent demise.
Haha I forgot all about the rookie hazing Max. I think they should dress Brett up as Olive Oyl from Popeye, lol. (insert speed joke of your choice here)
Also…does anyone know if any of the local papers have a full archive of good close up photos from tonight up on their websites yet? I want to drink in all the highlights again, and my desktop background is crying out for a pic of Bernie doffing his cap!
the 6 – 2 toronto game the yanks blew a few saturdays ago on the Cano error really hurts…
they blew about 4 or 5 games this year that they should not have lost, super bad losses not just the normal game that gets away, if that did not occur then they are a playoff team..
there pen is really really loaded…
What happened with the last ball? i saw Mo taking it from Ransom, and he held on to it the whole time they were on the field. did he kept it?
Oh yeah – rookie hazing. I’m looking forward to that after last year’s Oz theme. Should be a fun group of guys to watch getting hazed this year, too.
wow talk about an intensity
This last montage is making me cry.
Amazing night.
Couldn’t have been better.
Awesome way to finish it with that Jeter speech!
Oh, What a Night!
Great game. Great speech and ending to the night with the victory lap. I love it that the “automatic out” that people are always crying about saved the day. That Yogi narrative at the end got me. If he can move on, we all can move on.
Great job by the Yankee organization and, yes, even ESPN. Actually enjoyed Kay in the booth, lol.
Did you notice the trees in the last still of the Stadium? they were bare. Nice ending montage. I don’t want to go to sleep.
In a weird way, the Yanks not making the playoffs makes this stadium send-off much better. They wouldn’t be able to go through all this pomp and circumstance if it was a playoff situation. The end of the season actually feels right now… which is not what I would have thought as recently as yesterday.
i was glad to see Girardi & Damon mention there’s still a chance of more games here. if the Yanks are still alive after Tuesday, the pressure would mount on Boston.
the 1964 Phillies lost a 6.5 lead in a week. bad weeks happen to good teams. hopefully the Red Sox will match that.
did they do a coin flip for a wild card tie yet? Maybe there will be one more game at the Stadium! And those play-in games count as regular-season games. 6 to go!
That was a good game. They did everything right.
I’m not sure about all of the commercialism though. It looks like they’re going to sell that stadium brick by brick.
And hey, I collect memorabilia too but it feels like it’s a little too much. Maybe that’s just me though.
What a great event. No whiney complaints here.
Great to see Yogi, Whitey, Bernie, Paulie, Tino, Coney, Wells and all. It was right that they weren’t around too much before today as it would have taken away from this celebration.
Forever was appropriate. Much better than zero or anything else. The 85 years of history here will live forever.
Pettitte pitched with great heart and weak legs. He will rededicate himself and come back strong next year just like Moose did this year. Solid game by everyone. 7 (Mantle) – 3 (Ruth).
Many tears for this hallowed ground. So many great memories.
First game next year versus the Tribe–everyone make lots of noise so the ghosts know to come across the street.
Yankee Stadium,
Farewell.
As good as the All Star game ceremony was, this was even better. You could not have asked for a better sendoff (besides a World Series win) and the Captain really drove it home.
One of those transcendent nights that makes me thrilled and honored to be a fan of this franchise.
Congrats to Molina, he now has something xspecial to take away from his time in yankeedom. Seems to be a really good guy and he gave us all he had this year, all you can ask.