Results tagged ‘ Lonn Trost ’
Rangers, Islanders, Devils coming to Yankee Stadium
Are you ready for hockey at Yankee Stadium? It will be Hockey Week in the Bronx come next January.
Two outdoor regular-season National Hockey League games will be played at the Stadium during the 2013-14 season as part of the 2014 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series. And these are not just any two games. The first game will be Sunday, Jan. 26, between the Rangers and the Devils. The second game will be Wednesday, Jan. 29, between the Rangers and the Islanders.
The two games at Yankee Stadium complete the four-game 2014 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series scheduled for next season. The Anaheim Ducks will play the Los Angeles Kings Jan. 25 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, and the Chicago Blackhawks will play the Pittsburgh Penguins at Soldier Field in Chicago.
“The innovative nature of the Stadium Series affords the opportunity to have all three NHL teams in the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area play, outdoors, at one of the most-celebrated stadiums in the world,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said. “We’ll be able to create a multi-faceted, multi-day experience for our fans, and we thank the teams, Coors Light, the New York Yankees and Yankee Stadium for their support of this memorable NHL event.”
In just five years of its existence, the Stadium already has provided the setting for some of the country’s most popular events as the baseball diamond has been transformed to be the site of games between several of college football’s finest programs – including the annual New Era Pinstripe Bowl – concerts by Grammy Award-winning acts, top-tier soccer talent from around the world and a super welterweight title boxing match. The 2014 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series will be the first time the Stadium has been used for hockey.
“We have long thought that Yankee Stadium would be a great venue for outdoor hockey,” Yankees chief operating officer Lonn Trost said. “In addition to being a first-class baseball facility, Yankee Stadium was designed to house unique and memorable events, such as the NHL Stadium Series. Hosting two of the NHL’s classic rivalries at Yankee Stadium will be a great kickoff for the worldwide sporting events in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area scheduled in early 2014.”
“The New Jersey Devils are proud to have been selected to host the first of two games at Yankee Stadium,” Devils president and general manager Lou Lamoriello said. “The NHL Stadium Series will be a memorable experience for our organization, our players and, most importantly, our fans. We are thrilled to play our divisional rival, while adding to the legacy of one of the nation’s most recognized sports facilities.”
“The New York Islanders are honored to take part in the National Hockey League’s outdoor stadium series,” Islanders general manager Garth Snow said. “Our fan-base is one of the most passionate in the NHL. The support we consistently receive from our fans was on display during the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs, and I expect it to be on an even greater scale when we take on the Rangers. This is what makes the games against the Rangers one of the best rivalries in the league. I look forward to seeing a strong contingent of the orange and blue in the stands at Yankee Stadium.”
“The New York Rangers are honored to participate in these two historic games at Yankee Stadium, bringing hockey into the home of another one of New York’s iconic sports franchises,” Rangers president and general manager Glen Sather said. “Playing hockey outdoors takes the game back to its roots and reminds us all why we laced up our skates as youngsters. We are excited to be able to bring that experience and thrill to our fans and the city of New York.”
The Rangers, Islanders and Devils have combined to win 11 Stanley Cup championships. They are division foes during the regular season and have also have battled each other in memorable postseasons.
The Rangers and Devils have met six times in the playoffs. Perhaps the most memorable of those series was in 1994 when the clubs faced off in the Eastern Conference Final with the Rangers’ Stephane Matteau winning the deciding Game 7 in double-overtime. The Rangers went on to win the Stanley Cup in seven games over the Vancouver Canucks. The Devils countered 12 months later by winning the first of their three Stanley Cup titles over the following nine seasons.
The Rangers and Islanders have met eight times in the postseason, including four straight years from 1981-84. The Devils and Islanders have met once in the postseason, with New Jersey earning a 4-2 series victory in the 1988 Patrick Division Semifinal.
The Rangers first played the Islanders in a regular-season game Oct. 21, 1972, at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, Long Island – a 2-1 Rangers victory. The Rangers first faced the Devils in a regular-season game (after the team moved to New Jersey) Oct. 8, 1982, at Brendan Byrne Arena in East Rutherford, N.J. – a 3-2 Devils victory.
Further details on this special NHL event, including national broadcast information and specifics on ticket opportunities for the season-ticket holders of each team, will be released shortly. Fans interested in receiving more information on ticketing, news and special offers around the event should register at http://www.NHL.com/2014NewYork.
The NHL recently announced that the 2014 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 1, when the Detroit Red Wings will play the Toronto Maple Leafs at Michigan Stadium on the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor. Since the facility holds a capacity of 101,000, it is anticipated that the game will set a world record for attendance at a hockey match.
The first-ever NHL regular-season game contested outdoors was in 2003 between the Edmonton Oilers and the Montreal Canadiens at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alta. Since then, the NHL has played six additional regular-season games outdoors.
Yanks named Club Retailer of Year for 2012
The Yankees were named the 2012 MLB “Club Retailer of the Year” by Major League Baseball Properties for the Club’s commitment to driving merchandise sales. The Yankees and Legends Hospitality, led by Legends general manager of retail Michael Loparo, earned the honor based on significant improvements to the Yankee Stadium clubhouse store as well as consistent product innovation and reinvention.
Since its inception in 2005, the MLB “Club Retailer of the Year” Award has been awarded based on a combination of sales, vendor/customer feedback and creative marketing and merchandising efforts. In 2012, the Yankees focused on advancing the retail experience of their fans and customer base. A New Era Tajima embroidery machine was added to the Great Hall at the Stadium to offer fans a personalized experience, resulting in increased interest in headwear. The team store was completely redesigned, including a restructuring of the floor plan to create a streamlined approach for the customer. The Yankees also worked with MLB to place Astroturf in the store to feature the Authentic Collection On-field Areas.
The Yankees and Legends Hospitality worked with MLB’s design services department to create new graphics for three key locations to add dimension and consistent branding. Other areas of innovation and development were the addition of the MLB and Victoria’s Secret PINK co-branded line and a Yankees Knievel Motorcycle in front of the store.
“The demand among fans for Yankees merchandise and other licensed products is always strong given the iconic nature of the team and their brand, but the Yankees deserve special praise for not resting on their laurels and continuing to innovate and provide creative new ways for fans to express their team pride,” MLB senior vice president for licensing Howard Smith said. “The clubhouse store at Yankee Stadium has evolved considerably just in the four years since the new ballpark opened. Mike Loparo and the Yankees are especially deserving of this honor.”
“This honor is a great compliment to the talented people we have working at Legends Hospitality,” Yankees chief operating officer Lonn Trost said. “The Yankees and Legends Hospitality have always tried to provide fans with products that reflect a variety of tastes while remaining respectful of Yankees tradition. We appreciate the recognition and look forward to building on our success by continuing to provide the best possible products and experience at Yankee Stadium.”
“We are extremely honored to be recognized by Major League Baseball,” Legends Hospitality president Dan Smith said. “Mike Loparo and his team work with great passion to develop new and original retail offerings that complement the culture and enthusiasm of the Yankees and their fan base. We are fortunate to be able to work closely with the Yankees in developing these innovations and share their unmatched devotion to delivering an unsurpassed customer service experience for their fans each and every time they come to the ballpark.”
Previous recipients of the award have been the Mariners in 2005, Mets in 2006, Phillies in 2007, Brewers in 2008, Reds in 2010 and Tigers in 2011.
Yanks accepting donations for ‘Sandy’ relief
The Yankees have begun collecting donated items from the public at Yankee Stadium for those affected by Hurricane Sandy. As items are received, the Yankees will immediately deliver and distribute them on an ongoing basis.
Individuals are encouraged to bring the non-perishable food and household items listed below to Yankee Stadium’s Gate 2 entrance at any time through the end of the week. Gate 2, located at 164th Street and Jerome Avenue, will be staffed 24-hours-a-day to receive donations.
“Even though a week has passed, the tragedy of the hurricane endures for many residents of the metropolitan area,” Yankees chief operating officer Lonn Trost said. “In addition to the many loved ones who were lost, people have been left without homes, food and the basic necessities. We hope our efforts support and show solidarity with those who are bravely dealing with heartbreaking circumstances.”
Recommended items for donation include:
BABIES/CHILDREN
• baby bottles and formula (powdered or liquid)
• baby clothes and blankets
• baby food (jarred or canned)
• baby powder
• diapers and wipes
CLEANING SUPPLIES
• dish soap
• disinfectant wipes and bleach
• heavy duty trash bags
• latex gloves
• laundry detergent
• mops, brooms and shovels
• spray-bottled cleaners
• work gloves
CLOTHING AND HOUSEHOLD
• blankets and pillows
• coats, sweaters and other warm winter clothing for all ages
• hats, scarves and gloves for all ages
• raincoats and rain ponchos
• work boots and rubberized boots
FOOD (NON-PERISHABLE ONLY)
• bottled water
• boxed/non-refrigerated milk
• canned fruits
• canned tuna fish
• granola bars and energy bars
• instant coffee and tea bags
• instant soups
• packaged snacks or cookies
• peanut butter and jelly
GENERAL SUPPLIES
• batteries – especially “D”
• disposable cameras
• face/dust masks
• flashlights
• gas containers (only government-approved “red” containers)
• generators
• hand and foot warmers
• masking tape and marking pens
• power strips and extension cords
HYGIENE
• deodorant
• feminine hygiene products
• hand sanitizers
• razors and shaving cream
• shampoo and conditioner
• soaps (bar or liquid)
• toothpaste, toothbrushes and mouthwash
MEDICAL SUPPLIES
• adhesive/non-adhesive bandages, antibacterial ointments, gauze and tape
• acetaminophen, aspirin and ibuprofen
• rubbing alcohol and peroxide
PAPER/PLASTIC PRODUCTS
• can openers (manual only)
• disposable dinnerware (cups, plates, and plastic utensils)
• napkins and paper towels
• tissues
• toilet paper
PET FOODS
• dry dog or cat food (no cans)
Yankees support fight against blood cancer
Those fans with tickets for Saturday’s Yankees-Mariners game at Yankee Stadium will get a different view of the bleachers. Instead of the usual collection of fans wearing Yankees gear in the club’s traditional navy blue and white colors, a sea of red will take over the bleachers.
The Yankees, in partnership with DKMS, the world’s largest bone marrow donor center, will distribute red caps to all spectators who enter the Stadium prior to the start of the 1:05 p.m. game. The mass of red will launch a new initiative to encourage all New York fans to take action against blood cancer. Fans will be urged to “get swabbed” and sign up as potential blood marrow donors.
“The New York Yankees are all about winning,” Yankees chief operating officer Lonn Trost said. “We are incredibly proud to be associated with DKMS, and we’re excited to help them with the noble fight against blood cancer. We know our fans, indeed all New York fans, will unite to help delete blood cancer.”
Every four minutes, someone is diagnosed with blood cancer. Every 10 minutes, someone dies from the disease. Blood cancer is the second leading cause of all cancer deaths in the United States and kills more children than any other disease. Many deaths may be prevented if more people donate their blood marrow.
Katharina Hart, chief inspiration officer of Delete Blood Cancer and DKMS, said, “The Yankees have been amazing in supporting us in our fight to delete blood cancer. The fourth of August will be a special day for everyone in the U.S. who is fighting to overcome this disease. It is call to action and a symbol of support. I promise we will not stop here.”
Blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma attack the foundation of a healthy, functioning body by sabotaging the production of healthy blood cells. In many cases, the only treatment option is a bone marrow transplant from a matching door. If a match can be found, a life may be saved. However, six out of 10 patients who could benefit from a transplant will never receive one. There is a 30-percent chance that a sibling is a match to a patient. For the other 70 percent, a match must be found from an unrelated donor.
The only way to tap unrelated donors is to get as many donors as possible. That is where DKMS comes in. With generous support from its founding corporate sponsor, leading beauty company Coty Inc., DKMS is dedicated to increasing the number of potential donors and facilitating both matches and transplants.
Founded in 1991 in Germany by Peter Harf and his wife Mechtild’s physician, Dr. Gerhard Ehninger, DKMS is the world’s largest bone marrow donor center with more than 3.6 million registered donors. More than 31,000 of DKMS’ donors have helped save lives. DKMS will soon be renamed Delete Blood Cancer.
George Cleary, president of Coty Beauty Americas, said, “It is an incredible honor to have as distinguished an organization as the New York Yankees join us in the fight against blood cancer. We are confident that the Yankees’ championship winning mentality combined with Coty’s and DKMS’ passion for this cause will have a profound impact on the fight against blood cancer.”
Yanks praise Stadium-bound Chelsea soccer champs
The Yankees extended congratulations to Chelsea on its penalty shootout victory Saturday over Bayern Munich, which secured the British team’s first Union of European Football Associations’ Champions League title. The score was 1-1 after regular time and extra time before Chelsea won the penalty shootout, 4-3, in Bayern’s home stadium in Germany.
“Chelsea showed their resilience yet again with their thrilling win,” Yankees chief operating officer Lonn Trost said. “They fully deserve to be the champions of Europe, and we could not be more excited to have them as a participant in the first ever soccer game at the current Yankee Stadium this summer.”
Chelsea of the English Premier League and Paris Saint-Germain of France’s Ligue 1 will meet at 7 p.m. Sunday, July 22. Tickets for the match are currently on sale at http://www.yankees.com/soccer. Additional news related to the game is available by following @yankeesevents on Twitter.
Chelsea, whose squad features national team players from 11 countries, won England’s FA Cup earlier this season and also defeated the defending European club champions, Barcelona, to earn the right to play in this year’s UEFA Champions League final. In addition to its Champions League victory this season, the London-based team has won four domestic league titles (1954-55, 2004-05, 2005-06, 2009-10), seven FA Cups (1970, ‘97, 2000, ‘07, ‘09, ’10, ‘12), and has finished either first or second in England’s Premier League in seven of the eight seasons prior to this year.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) was founded in 1970 and represents France’s capital city. The club is a two-time winner of the Ligue 1 title (1985-86 and 1993-94), an eight-time winner of the French Cup (1982, ’83, ’93, ’95, ’98, 2004, ’06, ’10) and a two-time winner of France’s Champions Trophy.
The current Stadium will carry on the soccer tradition of the original Yankee Stadium, which hosted some of the most famous teams in world soccer, including Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid, Barcelona, A.C. Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus, Napoli, Celtic, Benfica, Sparta Prague and Panathinaikos, along with the national teams of England, Israel, Italy and the United States.
Pele, who many consider the greatest player of all time, called Yankee Stadium home in 1976, when he played for the New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League. The upcoming match will mark the first time that a French club will play in the home of the Yankees. The match between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain is part of the World Football Challenge, which is taking place throughout North America from July 18 through August 11.
Groundbreaking for Triple A field renovation
The Yankees joined the Lackawanna County Commissioners Office, Mandalay Baseball, the Multi-Purpose Authority and Pennsylvania state officials from Moosic and Riverside for the ceremonial groundbreaking Monday at the entry plaza to PNC Field, the home of the Triple A affiliate that is undergoing a major renovation for the 2013 season.
“The effects of this project are truly far-reaching on a number of fronts – leisure, family and most importantly, economic expansion,” commissioner Corey D. O’Brien said. “Job creation, further growth in the surrounding communities and an opportunity for wholesome family fun make this a complete package. The stadium will impact our local economy and pay great dividends as we move forward to attract new opportunities, businesses and other ventures to the area.”
“We are delighted to have completed our agreement with Lackawanna County and are excited about having our Triple A team in Northeastern Pennsylvania for a long time to come,” Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner said. “I’d like to thank everyone involved for their persistence and collaboration on this project. Along with our partners, Mandalay Baseball, we are committed to providing a great fan experience and believe that the team and the stadium should both be points of pride for the community.”
According to the Lackawanna County Commissioners and Daniel Lispi, President of DRL Consulting and Development of Harrisburg, once the stadium is finished and operating, it will infuse $9.4 million into the local economy and have a yearly economic impact of $47 million. The construction phase alone will generate $23.5 million in one-time revenue for working families and local businesses.
“We are proud of our growing partnership with the New York Yankees and committed to creating a great experience for our team’s fans in Northeastern Pennsylvania,” Mandalay Baseball chairman Peter Guber said. “We believe that this venue will be among the finest field of dreams in professional minor league baseball and an important jewel in Mandalay’s professional sports assets and experiences.”
“We are excited about the stadium’s modifications as it will be the final stop before the Bronx, and it’s important to us that the facilities are top notch,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. “Being only a couple hours from the Bronx is the optimal location for our team, and I look forward to our players taking their final steps towards the big leagues there.”
Yankees chief operating officer Lonn Trost added, “We all worked hard to reach an agreement that is both balanced and long-reaching. We’d like to congratulate the Lackawanna County Commissioners and Stadium Authority for the foresight and the enthusiasm that they brought to the project. We’re looking forward to a great long term relationship.”
Yanks honor Jeter for 3,000th hit
Derek Jeter was honored before Saturday’s game by the Yankees’ organization and its players at Yankee Stadium to commemorate his reaching the 3,000-hit plateau July 9 against the Rays, the same opponent in the regularly scheduled game.
The ceremony began with Jeter presenting the batting gloves and helmet he used that day to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, which was represented by board chairman Jane Forbes Clark and president Jeff Idelson.
Yankees president Randy Levine and chief operating officer Lonn Trost presented a Waterford crystal vase to the Captain. The 14-inch legacy piece was hand crafted in Ireland and copper wheel engraved. It was etched with Yankee Stadium and “DJ3K” logos with an inscription that read:
Presented to Derek Jeter, in recognition of your career 3,000th hit. The first New York Yankees player to reach this historic milestone.
July 9, 2011
New York Yankees
Yankees managing general partner and co-chairperson Hal Steinbrenner and his wife, Christina, next presented Jeter and his immediate family commemorative rings and pendants from Balfour. Derek and his father, Dr. Charles Jeter, each received 14-K white gold rings with 50 diamonds (36 surrounding the blue facet stone and 14 making up the number “2”).
On one side, “Captain” is etched above the Yankees top hat logo, along with two banners etched with the words “Pride” and “Tradition.” On the other side, the “DJ3K” logo is etched with the date “July 9, 2011.” The ring top pendants that were presented to Derek’s mother, Dot, and his sister, Sharlee, are etched with the “DJ3K” logo on the back.
Yankees players came on the field and circled around a golf cart that contained a stainless steel structure by Scott Kranzler of Milgo Industrial presented to Jeter by teammates Jorge Posada and CC Sabathia. The custom-designed pieced weighing 225 pounds had an inscription reading:
To our captain, leader and friend. Congratulations on a great achievement, from your teammates.
Speaking on behalf of Yankees players, Mariano Rivera said, “I want to say thank God for giving me the opportunity to play with a tremendous player like Derek and being in this organization and being able to see every one of them. Jeet, I love you, and continue. God bless you and God bless your family.”
‘Boss’ Trophy to be unveiled Tuesday
The blizzard that struck the Eastern seaboard forced the postponement of Monday’s New Era Pinstripe Bowl Kickoff Event at the Times Square Visitor Center at 1560 Broadway. The event has been rescheduled for 3 p.m. Tuesday at the Visitor Center, which has its entrance on Seventh Avenue between 46th and 47th Streets in Manhattan.
The New Era Pinstripe Bowl will pit Syracuse against Kansas State at 3:20 p.m. Thursday at Yankee Stadium, the first college football bowl game in New York since 1962. Among the festivities Tuesday will be the unveiling of the George M. Steinbrenner championship trophy that will be presented to the winning team after the game.
Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira will be on hand Tuesday along with team president Randy Levine and chief operating officer Lonn Trost to launch Bowl Week in New York. Kansas State director of athletics John Curie and representatives of Syracuse will also be in attendance as well as cast members from the Tony Award nominated Broadway musical Rock of Ages, plus the Kansas State band and the school’s mascot, Willie the Wildcat.
Fans will be able to purchase tickets to the New Era Pinstripe Bowl all week at the Times Square Visitors Center all week as well at all Ticketmaster outlets and online at http://www.pinstripebowl.com.
Wednesday, the Empire State Building will get into the act. The north and south sides of the building will be lit orange and white for Syracuse, and the west and east sides will be lit purple and white for Kansas State.
Joe, Donnie back at Stadium to honor the Boss
Right away Monday, I knew things would be different at Yankee Stadium. As I entered the lobby, I ran into a pair of old friends – Joe Torre and Don Mattingly.
Yes, this was going to be quite a night.
The former Yankees manager and captain were in the new Yankee Stadium for the first time to be part of the ceremony before Monday night’s Yankees-Rays game to honor the memory of the late Yankees owner George M. Steinbrenner with the unveiling of a plaque in the middle of Monument Park.
“I wanted to come back here last year for the World Series, but I didn’t do a good enough job,” Torre said, alluding to his Dodgers team’s failure to get past the Phillies in the National League Championship Series.
Last Friday, Joe announced that he was stepping down as Dodgers manager next year and will be succeeded by his bench coach, Mattingly, who will finally fulfill his dream by managing on the major-league level. Donnie gave me a hug and I said, “I can’t call you ‘Cap’ anymore. I’ll have to start calling you ‘Skip’ now.”
There were a lot of years and memories of Yankees greatness in these two figures standing in the Gate 2 lobby where next to the elevators stands a statue of “The Boss.”
Shortly after, Yankees chief operating officer Lonn Trost came out of one of the elevators and greeted Torre and Mattingly and proceeded to start them on a tour of the two-year-old park. Let’s hope that this is the beginning of a renewed relationship between the team and its estranged icons.
Trost contacted Torre right after his press conference Friday and invited him and Mattingly to the ceremony. Monday was an open date on the Dodgers’ schedule
It must be noted that both men left the Yankees after the 2007 season not on the best of terms, Torre more so than Mattingly. Unable to get a contract extension that suited him, Torre left and went to the Dodgers. Mattingly had been a candidate for the Yankees manager’s job, but it went to Joe Girardi. Mattingly went to Los Angeles to be on Torre’s coaching staff.
“I always expected to come back,” Mattingly said. “I played my whole career here. I love the Yankees. I’m with another storied organization in L.A. now, but it was the Yankees who taught me the game, and I love coming back.”
As for Torre, Mattingly likened his return to the Stadium to when Hall of Famer Yogi Berra, who was also at the Stadium for the Steinbrenner ceremony, returned to the Bronx in 1999 after a lengthy feud with the owner.
“Like Yogi, Joe needed to get back,” Donnie said. “I remember those years when Yogi wasn’t around and thinking his coming back needed to happen. It’s the same with Joe.”
Torre and Yankees general manager Brian Cashman agreed that their relationship was strained after “The Yankees Years,” a book co-written by Torre and Sports Illustrated’s Tom Verducci, characterized them as having opposing views towards the end of Torre’s 12-year run as Yankees manager.
They spoke Monday for the first time since parting ways three years ago.
“It was time to turn the page,” Cashman said. “I was the general manager for 10 of the 12 years Joe was here, and it was a magic carpet ride nearly all of that time. I was disappointed that the majority of our time together was not presented in the book. But we had a good talk, and we’ll move on from there.”
One thing Torre and Cashman were in agreement over was their respect for Steinbrenner. Cashman said those in the front office are still adjusting to running the Yankees without him.
“You have to understand that he did everything with the Yankees,” Cashman said. “No matter what area of business there was, he had the final say. And you always knew when he was in the Stadium. You could just feel his presence once you got two feet into the door. Some would say you could feel it in the parking lot.”
“George is responsible for the best years of my life professionally,” Torre said. “We had some disagreements, but it was a good relationship. You always knew how much George wanted to win, for this city and for this organization. The last time I spoke to him was his 80th birthday. I knew he would get a lot of attention that day, so I actually called him the day before. We spoke for about 10 minutes. He was in very good spirits. It’s a good feeling to get back to this. George belongs not only in Monument Park but also in the Hall of Fame.”
The pre-game ceremony was attended by Joan Steinbrenner, George’s widow, and her four children – sons Hank and Hal and daughters Jennifer and Jessica and their spouses. Other guests included Berra and fellow Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson as well as commissioner Bud Selig, Gene Michael, Roy White, Lee Mazzilli, David Wells and Tino Martinez.
Torre was accompanied by his wife, Ali. Yogi and the Steinbrenner family climbed on to a golf cart and began a procession down the right field line and along the warning track to Monument Park beyond the center field wall. Not surprisingly, the loudest cheers were for Torre and especially Mattingly.
“There has never been a greater group of fans than the fans at Yankee Stadium,” Torre said.
The plaque read:
July 4, 1930 – July 13, 2010
New York Yankees Principal Owner
“The Boss”
1973 – 2010
Purchased the New York Yankees on January 3, 1973.
A true visionary who changed the game of baseball forever,
he was considered the most influential owner in all of sports.
In his 37 years as Principal Owner, the Yankees posted a Major League-best .566 winning percentage,
while winning 11 American League pennants and seven World Series titles,
becoming the most recognizable sports brand in the world.
A devoted sportsman, he was Vice President of the United States Olympic Committee, a member of
the Baseball Hall of Fame’s Board of Directors and a member of the NCAA Foundation Board of Trustees.
A great philanthropist whose charitable efforts were mostly performed without fanfare, he followed a
personal motto of the greatest form of charity is anonymity.
Dedicated by the New York Yankees
September 20, 2010
Bronx groundbreaking
A groundbreaking ceremony for Heritage Field, a new 10.78-acre park to be built on the footprint of the original Yankee Stadium, was held Tuesday. Participating in the event on behalf of the Yankees were team president Randy Levine, chief operating officer Lonn Trost, general manager Brian Cashman, senior vice president for community relations Brian Smith and relief pitcher Joba Chamberlain.
Also attending were New York City Economic Development Corp. President Seth W. Pinsky, Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe, Buildings Commissioner Robert D. Limandri, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and local community groups.
Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter received the USA Weekend Magazine “2010 Most Caring Athlete” Award in a pre-game ceremony.
Another pre-game treat was the 6-foot-9 tennis player John Isner throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. Isner’s first-round victory at Wimbledon over Nicolas Mahut was by a score of 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7), 7-6(3), 70-68 played out over three days in a record-setting 183 games in 11 hours, 5 minutes. Ironically, Tuesday night’s plate umpire was Joe West, who earlier this year complained about the length of Yankees-Red Sox games.
Jack O'Connell
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