
OLD TIMERS DAY
Yankee Stadium – June 27, 2011
“Old Yankees never die….. and their fans won’t let them fade away”
La Diabla, Sportsphile & Raconteur
The New York Yankees fans have a “tried and true” annual tradition that is shared with their team in honor of the boys of summers past. Unlike any other professional sports franchise, the Yankee fans celebrate the onset of summer by paying homage to their heroes from years/teams past by packing into Yankee Stadium for the annual Old Timers Game……nearly 4 hours before the scheduled regular season MLB opening game is to begin…..as every seat is not only sold out….but occupied.
The purpose for all of these fans who fill all of the seats at Yankee Stadium is not to see the old timers play the game…..the fans come to give their fading heroes one more moment in the sun….on the big stage in the spotlight….but even more so because of each individual fans need “to never let their heroes die….the Yankees fans just won’t let them fade away.” It’s just one more chance for their aging heroes to hear the sounds of their fans appreciation….for all the memories that they had provided them over their years of performing on the diamond at Yankee Stadium. Beyond all of that, which is quite a lot….it is the fan….the Sportsphile….that needs just one more main line injection into their bloodstream of memories….for that is what fuels this event every year as they all come together to celebrate the boys of summer present and past.
There was Reggie, Straw, Sweet Lou, Bernie, Catfish, Goose, Louisiana Lightning and so many others…..but when they introduced the BOYS of the 50’s and 60’s that really got that New York sellout crowd stirred up…..Larsen, Ford and Berra…..oh my God Dog….the ole boys are really thinning out….and I sorta suspect that these three may not have too many more opportunities to have that “skip in their step” just once more so gracefully given by their fans….but it was sure fun to watch with BD yesterday.
So today’s story is my tribute to BD for having shared what it took to just put these items of memorabilia together……along with all the stories which evolved in Bone Daddy’s Yankee lore….and it gives me great pleasure to share these pieces with all you Yankee fans out there….cuz all ya’ll are the same fans who wouldn’t miss another walk down memory lane. I hope these particular cards bring back fond memories to every Yankee fan that understands how much the OLE BOYS who played for the Yanks never die…..as their fans won’t let them just fade away. And thank God Dog that my memory hasn’t faded yet also.
For that and so much more…..which was all bundled up in Bone Daddy’s faded love for the Yankees….which is another story all by itself…..I give you cards of many of the Yanks who showed up this day of June 27, 2011 to wear their pinstripes once again …..just to capture another glassful of what it feels like to take the field at Yankee Stadium….and albeit even for just a moment ….to rekindle those memories which have never faded away. THANKS FOR THE MEMEORIES…..WE SHARE THE SMILES AND CHEERS WITH YOU.
DOG NOTE