IS THAT A HUGE MONUMENT or: ARE YOU JUST HAPPY TO SEE ME
Oddly enough, thirty years to the day that the New York Yankees unveiled a monument out in centerfield to their fallen leader, Thurman Munson, a seventh one was presented in honor of George M. Steinbrenner. I had already left my own out in the Temple at TTITD, so there.
And I was pleased that YES and the MLB TV package included yesterday’s pre-game ceremony; it was a pretty impressive line-up. Yogi lead the way with Reggie, but Stick, Roy White, Boomer, Tino and Lee Mazzilli did a great job of representing the former players and managers. And the Yanks did the right thing by inviting both Don Mattingly and Joe Torre who flew in from Los Angeles just for the ceremony (and for the well-deserved cheers they received). Need more proof of let bygones be bygones? Billy Martin’s widow was present and accounted for, as well.
As for the monument? It is freakin’ huge, dwarfing the ones for the Babe and the Mick. But that’s George’s way; even in death. There were some great moments spied by the YES cameras: Posada gripping and squeezing Mr. Torre’s shoulder was one, Mo staying out long past the rest of the current players just gazing intently at the monument; that left me with the thought that Mr. Steinbrenner did something for Mo that we don’t know about. When it came to GMS’ stand on charity, he was a very good Jew…
West Point Color Guard showed up in tribute and held the flags as Frank Sinatra Jr. performed the National Anthem, quite poorly I have to say. When he wasn’t missing notes, he was attempting to mimic his dad, like a bad Vegas impersonator. And apparently, not only do me and Michael Kay not watch the same game, we don’t listen to the same one, either; the big-headed bastard called the performance “amazing” and “stunning.”

As for the game, the Yanks took a 4-0 lead early, the big blow a 2 run shot by Granderson for his 20th, and Nova was cruising until hitting the wall again. He blew up in the 6th and took the pen and the lead with him. Not sure what’s wrong with this kid. The stuff and his poise are great up until the point it all crashes down on him. He has that “one bad inning” and it doesn’t seem that anyone can put their finger (not even me) on what his deal is.
And then there’s Gardner on first in a tie game and Cervelli comes to the plate looking to move him up with a bunt. And I’m talking back to the TV because when you’ve got one of the leading base-stealers on base, let him run, let him swipe the bag and then if you want Cervelli to get him to third with a sac bunt that’s a whole other matter.
Fortunately the count got in the Cisco kid’s favor and they executed a perfect hit ‘n run, moving Gardy to 3rd with no outs. And Granderson’s second dinger of the game, a 3 run shot, pretty much put the game out of reach considering that most of these games vs. the Rays go down to the last pitch.
Tex back in the lineup looked like he could use some more time off. If I were Girardi, I’d rest him a week and see if the toe and thumb don’t respond favorably before the post-season.
I cannot believe I missed one of my all time fav’s as an answer to the Yankee trivia question. Name the 4 Hall of Fame pitchers who played for the Yanks during Steinbrenner’s tenure? I got Catfish and Goose easy, but totally blanked on Phil Niekro (even thought I know I went to at least one, perhaps two games trying to see him get his 300th win) and Gaylord Perry. Shame on me…
Speaking of shame: I swear I don’t hear the announcement before the singing of “God Bless America” during the 7th inning stretch, but really, do you need to make that song your own? Do you know whose rendition is played most nights at this point in the game? Kate Smith’s if you don’t know. But this was awful! Right? And then Kay comes back gushing over a “superb performance” and it’s revealed who he’s kissing up to—George’s granddaughter – but I’m thinking “The Boss” would’ve fired her.
At least Frank Sinatra Jr. didn’t attempt “New York, New York.” By the way, they did play Frank’s “My Way” during the monument ceremony which was more than a little appropriate. And the Yanks won 8-6, moving a game and a half on top and Yankee fans in attendance got “New York, New York” anyway…