It’s still not quite closing time …
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Sep 22, 2008 
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The fans are gone from the Stadium. But dozens of police officers are lining up to take photos at the mound or at different places around the field.
The grounds crew guys are scooping dirt into white buckets, surely on its way to people who will pay ridiculous prices for it.
Mariano Rivera took home enough dirt to start a garden in his backyard.
Phil Hughes threw a bullpen today before the game. He had the ball sealed in a plastic bag. “Last ball I ever threw here,” he said.
I mentioned to Brett Gardner that he scored the final run in the history of the Stadium. He had not realized it until another reporter, Ed Price of the Ledger, had told him.
“It’s something I’ll always remember,” he said. “This is where I played my first game and it was an honor to be here this season. To have played in this stadium with Derek, Andy, Mariano and all those guys …. man, how does it better than that?”
Lesson for young Brett:
It doesn’t.
How ironically is it, that the last run scored on a sac fly, if the Yankees had a few more of those this season they might be playing in October.
How nice is it that Gardner seems to get it. Once he figures out how to get on base, he’s gonna be a big, big part of this team for years. Hopefully he figures it out sooner than later.
I, for one, am looking forward to next season already (I started a countdown to opening day at Baltimore on my computer). I think some of the tough lessons learned this year can lead to a really good season next year. Besides, they can’t possibly hit this poorly with RISP again, can they?
That was a special moment tonight, it definitely felt like a world series game watching on espn tonight
i cried watching jorge, andy, jeter, and mo walk around saying thank you. it was nice to see arod take a back seat
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.
As someone noted on one of the other threads, the younger players got to be a part of this. If they had somehow failed to fully appreciate wearing that uniform before tonight, they’re appreciating it now.
I am beyond tired and have to teach tomorrow and I probably won’t be home for another half hour, but I don’t care. That was awesome.
I, too, am really excited about Gardner’s potential future with the team. At worst he can be a productive bench player for years to come, but if he starts hitting, watch out, he can REALLY be a weapon.
Meanwhile, I forgot to mention before another favorite part of this wonderful evening was when they introduced “True Yankee, Willie Randolph.” That made me beam from ear to ear. So great to have him home where he belongs, even if it’s only for tonight and he moves on to another manager’s job next year…he will always be a Yankee.
As for Jeter, Mo, Po and Andy, I feel so lucky to have come of age watching them do their thing, and that really hit home when I saw them taking pictures and everything after the game. When I was a kid my parents told me stories about the greats of their time and one day when I have my own family, I will tell them about these 4, and all they’ve meant to the Yankees and the fans, with such pride.
Amazing night – I honestly was thinking “this is the same feeling I had when they won the world series”
I thought today was going to be a very very sad day but as always the Yankees did things the right way and it was an unbelievable night.
Good night everyone!!
brett gardner seems like a good kid.
Awesome, awesome game..the monument park, and going on the field scene was really poorly organized, but getting on the field was awesome, even if it took a lot of finagling. caught a giambi shot during bp, got some paint of the wall, and the ceremonies and game were all invredible
Couple of things hit me. Seeing Pettitte get the win was so special. After all his years as a Yankee and after the tough season he had. But what really got to me was seeing how grizzled his hair is. They didn’t quite follow the script of getting these guys one more, but this wasn’t the final act. If the Yankee brass have any brains, they’ll bring Andy back as Jorge rejoins the gang. They have unfinished business. One for the thumb.
The second thing is actually an LOL. Did you guys see Cody hold back the ball from Mo? They had a good laugh about it. Inside joke shared by all the LoHud readers and a couple of Yankees. Good stuff, Pete. Thanks.
How appropriate that the last night of Yankee Stadium baseball is played on the last night of Summer.
And how nice that the last Yankee batter was Derek Jeter. That speech demonstrates why he’s the Captain.
I am sorry that The Boss was too ill to make the game. That’s the nature of life. But I still kept hoping for a Donnie Baseball appearance.
Does Jorge have 3 rings or 4? I don’t remember if he was a Spet. call up in 1996.
Spet= Sept.
I couldn’t imagine what the post game would have been like had the Yankees lost. So glad they were able to win and happy for Pettite that he pitched a good game.
Just watched the recap @ espn.com. The narrator said that the last HR at Yankee stadium was hit by Jose Molina, who wears #26. The number of championships won by the Yankees at the Stadium.
Also, I’m glad that Brian Roberts was the final out. He’s a good player, but he’s a pain in the ass on the field.
Who pulled the lever?
Tremendous night. I’m excited for next season. After 155 games I believe Joe G is figuring it out. Next year is going to be the start of some new magic.
who else loved yogi’s “I Wont Miss This Place” commercial at the end. The images of empty seats with the roars of fans sent a chill down my spine.
“To have played in this stadium with Derek, Andy, Mariano and all those guys ….”
Sad to see them get old and turn into “those guys”
Brett Gardner was always the most dependable source for me in Scranton. He was always available, always willing to talk. He was one of the nicest guys you’ll meet.
More importantly in the baseball world, he had a desire to win. There was no substitute for winning. He wasn’t cut throat and he was ready to prove himself. I hope he continues to do so.
As much as I loved having Brett around in Scranton, I truly hope he’s never back. I hope he doesn’t have to come back and earns his role in the Bronx next season.