Today in The Journal News
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Today in the Journal News on Apr 14, 2010 
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The Yankees re-opened their new stadium on Tuesday, beating the Angels in a game that brought back memories of the old, ruined place across the street. Andy Pettitte got the win, Mariano Rivera got the save, Derek Jeter hit a home run and Jorge Posada doubled twice.
It was a day of celebration, and the first ring naturally went to The Boss. Sam wrote about the private ring ceremony just for George Steinbrenner.
As Brian Heyman wrote, the other star of the show was Hideki Matsui, who returned through a lucky bit of scheduling to be a part of the pregame ring ceremony. And, of course, the Yankees had a little fun with him.
Jerry Hairston Jr. also returned, as did ill trainer Gene Monahan. The notebook also has items on a terrible incident at the Angels team hotel, a record crowd at the stadium and Posada’s new place in Yankees history.
You can see more pictures from opening day right here.
Today’s Guess The Line Up is Now Open!
Good luck!
I read in the NY Times that Posada asked Hairston why he came back and shook his head when Hairston told him. What’s up with that response? Maybe Posada is jaded, but not everyone has 5 rings and this will probably be the only one that Hairston gets. I think it’s wonderful that he flew all the way from CA to be here.
What an unnerving way for the Angels to begin their stay in NY…
That’s a heartwarming story about George; I’m so glad the he got his ring. I don’t like to think of him in declining health, but hopefully he’ll be around for another ring or two. I know this means a lot to him; even in the “old” days, he was always emotional like this. I wish all owners could be as committed to winning as George.
Betsy -
Maybe he shook his head because what Hairston did was beyond belief and really cool? Because others did not come back who were much closer geographically? Maybe a little bit, “you’re crazy, man!”
Just throwing out some other possibilities.
Pretty good home opener for the core 4 yesterday. Its amazing how a group of 4 players have been so incredibily consistent and productive for so many years. Its rare that one guy does that much less four on the same team.
Doreen, I didn’t mean to imply that Po was upset; I’m sort of surprised that he was surprised, that’s all. I’m sure he and the other guys were happy to see Jerry.
Blake-
Intel has their version of a Core four and we have ours !
Doreen, that’s about what it would be. Posada, of all people would aooreciate the effort to be “team” again. It probably stunned a lot of them that a ex-team mate would fly at his own expense for a ceremony after being on the team for 2 months when you had two players that had spent years in the organization, but, couldn’t make the effort to come from Washington, DC or Philadelphia, where ever Wang and Bruney are.
Blake, I don’t think we’ll see this again. We got extraordinarily lucky that these guys have not only been HOFers or near HOFers, but they’ve still maintained a high level of performance even as they reach the age where most players have already declined.
On another note, I think it’s important for Javy to have a good game today – not just to give us a chance to win, but to prevent the fans from having a meltdown about this guy. I new as soon as the trade happened that this guy would not get any sort of leash from the fans; all they can think about is 2004. The sooner Javy throws in a gem, the better.
GB-
You’re up early this morning ?
GB, that’s probably it; again, I didn’t mean to imply Jorge was upset. I guess I can see why he’d be surprised. I believe Wang and Bruney were probably upset, but obviously I have no proof of that.
Betsy -
I figure the guy flew a red eye from California to be there – how many people would do that?
I had wished Hairston could have been retained somehow. He was a great addition to the team with a perfect attitude. I guess it shouldn’t surprise anyone he did come back for his ring – he savored the entire experience last season – but it would have been easier to not be surprised if the Padres were playing the Philies, Mets or Nationals on the east coast already.
http://www.nydailynews.com/spo.....y_day.html
I love this pic of Alex and his ring; it’s obvious by the look on his face how much winning the WS meant to him. The ring represents more than just a WS; it represents all those questions about him that will never have to be asked again.
I hated posting that article however, because the line “notorious for choking in the playoffs” is sickening.
Personally, I’m really sorry Wang didn’t make it because many fans would have loved to see him get his ring and wish him well.
Betsy,
I don’t know if we will either. ESPN or Mlb network or someone had a graphic up during the game the other night that Jeter, Posada, and Rivera had been teammates for 16 years and that that was the longest span for 3 players in the history of any of the major sports…pettite would have been in there too had he not gone to Houston. Its been pretty remarkable to say the least.
It is a day game today, right? Or did I mess up?
Doreen, I wanted Jerry to stay, too. However, as he said yesterday, he wanted to play – I can’t blame him
Betsy – Hughes rules (pleading the Fifth) April 14th, 2010 at 8:30 am
Blake, I don’t think we’ll see this again. We got extraordinarily lucky that these guys have not only been HOFers or near HOFers, but they’ve still maintained a high level of performance even as they reach the age where most players have already declined.
On another note, I think it’s important for Javy to have a good game today – not just to give us a chance to win, but to prevent the fans from having a meltdown about this guy. I new as soon as the trade happened that this guy would not get any sort of leash from the fans; all they can think about is 2004. The sooner Javy throws in a gem, the better.
———————————————————————————————————————-
The yanks have always had groups of players that stayed together for years, though. They are one of the few organizations, besides the dodger teams that have had that. The Dodgers kept their homegrown infield of Garvey, Cey, Russell and Lopes together for about 11-12 years, although 3 eventually left by free agency and trade. They also had catcher Steve Yeager in that group.
Blake, for me, it’s almost as if Andy never left. Of course he did and the proof is wearing #65, but still – when he came back, it WAS like he never left. I consider him to be a lifelong Yankee.
SS Jeter
DH Johnson
1B Teixeira
3B Rodriguez
2B Cano
C Posada
CF Granderson
RF Swisher
LF Gardner
Thanks
Betsy -
I don’t blame him either. Isn’t his brother also on the Padres? That’s a nice situation for him.
GB, that’s true. I also love the “once a Yankee, always a Yankee” mentality. Even guys like Jerrry Hairston have their places in Yankee history – it’s not only about the big sluggers.
Erin -
Thank YOU!
I never thought that J. Hairston was all that much, especially on defense. He played a lot of positions but none especially well, and his bat sort of disappeared. His brother would have been more suitable.
GB,
That’s true, some of its luck I hink but a lot of it is the Yankees willingness to pay them to stay. Had Jeter, posada, pettite, and Rivera came up in another organization its doubtful they would have been kept together due to financial reasons.
Yes he is, Doreen. That’s really cool; I always find it amazing when brothers end up being good enough to play in the major leagues. To be on the same team? Incredible – good for them.
The Yanks had Mantle, Berra, Howard and Ford together for nearly 14 years and Richardson and Kubek was there for 14 years and 9 years respectively.
Watching Matsui’s first at-bat. Nice he tipped his cap from the batter’s box.
Doreen – 2010 GTLU April 14th, 2010 at 8:41 am
Erin -
Thank YOU!
*******************
No problem. Am I the only participant today???
Good morning Doreen,
My line-up
Derek SS
Johnson DH
Tex 1B
Alex 3B
Cano 2B
Jorge C
Curtis CF
Swisher RF
Gardner LF
Thanks
Erin -
So far, yes.
Could it be that our compadres did some celebrating yesterday and aren’t quite awake????
Nope -
Here’s Fran! Thanks, Fran.
At the moment the Yankees C, SS, 2B, LF, DH, 2 SPs, and nearly their entire bullpen has come from their farm system. That’s a pretty fair amount of players for a team that “buys free agents to win”….also their farm system was used to aquire Granderson, Arod, Swisher, and Vasquez.
Jeter SS
Johnson DH
Tex 1B
A-Rod 3B
Cano 2B
Posada C
Granderson CF
Swisher RF
GGBG LF
Thanks Doreen! Breakfast GTLU is quiet isn’t it? I used to enjoy it. LOL
GTLU,
Derek Jeter SS
Nick Johnson DH
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Jorge Posada C
Curtis Granderson CF
Nick Swisher RF
Brett Gardner LF
Thanks
Thanks, Erica.
It is, and today started particularly slowly. I really thought I forgot it wasn’t a day game.
SS #2
DH Nick the Stick
1B “2 Swings = .200 BA” Tex
3B “Notorious Winner” A-Rod
2B “Smooth Operator” Cano
C “Hip Hip Jorge”
CF “Sort of Grand”-erson
RF Nick Swisha House
LF GGBG
My GLTU entry today. Thanks Doreen for keeping the game alive!
Thanks, Dave F.
Joekuh -
Love your new tag. And love the lineup nameplay!
Doreen,
You’re welcome. Guess some of us got off to a late start this morning.
Seeing Berra yesterday reminds me that he’s one of two surviving players from the 12 players to be on 5 straight WS winning teams. Ralph Houk is the other survivor. Old catchers live forever.
Speaking of which, 56 years ago today, Ellie Howard played in his first ML game.
The following people have entered lineups in today’s GTLU so far:
Erin
Fran (the original)
Erica
Dave F
Joekuh
I can’t believe Lupica wrote an article about the Yankees’ great day yesterday without mentioning their payroll or the cost of the new stadium. It’s a first for that guy !
Math error. It was 55 years ago today. Team history for all of the wrong reasons.
Good morning all –
I’ve got a plumber here today, so I’m taking a day off. The good part is that I get to watch the afternoon game.
Doreen –
Jeter SS
NJ DH
Tex 1B
Alex 3B
Cano 2B
Posada C
Curtis CF
Swisher RF
Gardner LF
Javy P
Let’s Go Yankees!
Joe from Long Island -
And I get to listen in the car again!
Props to GB-7 for his superb updates on minor league games at all levels. The nearest thing to play-by-play.
All on his own. Absolutely no assistance from Nurse Karloff. GB is living proof that baseball is a great healer.
Doreen – Where are you going today?
Joe from LI -
Sigh. Back to LI to bring daughter back to school. Me and the Southern State are “just like this” these days!
Absolutely, GB does a great service to provide the minor league updates.
And one thing – Sam wrote a very nice column about the ceremonies yesterday. He tends to write good columns, touching on emotions. Good work, Sam.
Derek SS
Johnson DH
Tex 1B
Alex 3B
Cano 2B
Jorge C
Curtis CF
Swisher RF
Gardner LF
The reception Hideki got was typical Yankee class by teammates and fans at the Stadium. The 1st year Damon returned to the Green Sardine Can he was booed heavily but the same will not apply when he returns to the Bronx in August.
The following very dedicated GTLU-ers have submitted lineups so far today:
Erin
Fran (the original)
Erica
Dave F
Joekuh
Joe from Long Island
I’m watching yesterday’s game on DVR. What a pleasure to ff through commercials and half innings!
Thanks, Butch. Happy to do it, and hope that it’s ejoyable, inforative and entertaining. Not sure if you knew that http://WWW.MiLB.com has their radio feeds on site for free.
Oh Doreen.
Well at least it’s a beautiful day for a ride. Make sure you wear that seatbelt! (I’m sure you do.)
If there are 20 possible explanations for any given situation, Betsy always manages to find the most negative one. It’s just how it is. HOWEVER, Betsy can always be reeled back in. That’s to her credit and I’ve always said that. So I tip my cap to all of you who always take the time to explain/suggest. Unfortunately impatience with constant negative thinking is one of my shortcomings. I guess it’s as natural to me as being negative is to Betsy. But since she does try to overcome it, I guess I too should try to be more patient and try to explain rather than go right to exasperation.
*******************
I’m now bringing my inhaler back to CVS and they are refunding me the $40.
***enjoyable, informative***
And RayVT!
New Post: Today’s lineup vs. Angels
Thank-you Doreen! Love your pics! I repeat myself! LOL!
Why does everyone say that Pettitte left the Yankees? He was forced off the team much in the same way Matsui was forced off the team.
Trisha -
I do wear my seatbelt all the time.
I hope you get a refund from CVS. Even though I didn’t experience side effects when I used my inhaler, I did when I used the generic. I don’t blame you for not wanting to chance it. I am medicine averse myself and only take my allergy medicine when I absolutely can’t stand the symptoms or if I know I’m going to be in someone’s home where there are pets (and where they don’t vacuum regularly).
new thread
No new lineups.
If you didn’t have tears in your eyes when Mariano received his ring yesterday you probably aren’t human.