Old Timers Day 2011

There is no one else in the world who can put on a show like the Yankees.  They celebrate Old Timers Day every year and no one else can quite do it the way that they do.  The Yankees welcomed back former greats, captains, champions, all-stars.  They had first time Old timers in Joe Torre, Lou Piniella and Bernie Williams.  Torre was making his return for the first time since 2007 and got a rousing ovation.  He got about a five minute standing ovation and tipped his cap and blew kisses to the fans.  He did come back for the unveiling of the Steinbrenner monument last year and has been there this year in his new role with baseball.  This was the first time he got to put on the uniform again though and get an ovation and really say goodbye or hi again in this case.  Williams had a double in the Old Timers game, Tino Martinez hit a homerun accounting for the only runs in the Old Timers Game.  It was a great day, the day was completed with a Yankees victory which also makes it great. 

Gene Monahan the long time head trainer of the Yankees was also honored before the Old Timers Game in a suprise ceremony.  They showed a video montage of his career, they showered him with gifts and the fans really soaked it in.  Monahan was truly suprised and really got emotional about it especially when he saw his two daughters there. 

The game was an interesting one as the Yankees couldn't get a baserunner through the first 13 batters of the game.  It all changed in three batters with a single and back-to-back homeruns by Nick Swisher and Jorge Posada that tied the game at three.  Nova didn't have his best stuff but kept the Yankees in the game.  The bullpen did it's job with Dave Robertson and Mariano Rivera really shutting the door.  They had five strikeouts between them in two innings.  Boone Logan got the win and pitched well again, he has been pitching much better and the Yankees are going to need him as he is the only lefty in the bullpen. 

Posada and Swisher continued thier hot hitting and Alex Rodriguez had an RBI in his sixth straight game.  Eduardo Nunez had a big RBI single.  The Yankees took two out of three from the Rockies and remain in first place in the AL East.  They are 1/2 a game ahead of the Boston Red Sox and one game in the loss column. 

It is amazing to me that they are in first place and are 1-8 against the Red Sox.  How can you be so bad against a team in your division and a good team that you are competing against and still be in first place.  It is like the Yankees don't lose to anyone but the Red Sox.  They are a season high tying 14 games over 500 and will try to make it a season best 15 on Tuesday night against the Milwaukee Brewers.  This should be an intersting series as the Brewers are a good team, what do you think???