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Hall of Fame baseball writer Hal McCoy has retired from the Dayton Daily News after covering the Cincinnati Reds for 37 years. Hal's blog, though, will continue to be a must-read for Reds fans. He'll share his thoughts on the team this season and will file updates from Great American Ball Park. You also can catch Hal in print every Sunday in his popular Ask Hal columnHome > Blogs > The Real McCoy | Cincinnati Reds baseball news > Archives > 2008 > June > 22 > Entry
The nostalgia that is Yankee Stadium
As I sit here in the second row of the press box, Yankee Stadium is quiet and empty, the 54,234 from Sunday’s game scattered.
I have finished my work for the paper and I’m gazing out at old Yankee Stadium, the last time for me. I see the monuments behind the left field fence and the 17 retired numbers - pretty soon, some Yankee is going to have to wear uniform No. 108.
I remember sitting in this pressbox during the 1996 World Series and catching a foul ball hit by Derek Jeter - a genuine red-inked World Series baseball that remains on a shelf in my home office, which my wife, Nadine, calls, “Your shrine to yourself.”
Well, OK.
And now, as Frank Sinatra says, “The end is near,” for this venerable old place. The place drips of nostalgia and that’s what makes it special. Physically, it is a dump. Really. The clubhouses are small, the press box is small, the radio-TV booths are small.
For a guy like me, visually impaired, the place is a booby trap of jutting unmarked steps and concrete walls placed in strange locations.
Nevertheless, it is 10 times better than the dump in Flushing Meadows called Shea Stadium, also coming down after this season, and not even Sinatra would say about losing that place, “Regrets, I’ve had a few.”
Not me. Let me push the plunger.
But I’ll miss Yankee Stadium because it is baseball. Mention Yankee Stadium all over the world and heads nod. Mention Shea Stadium and you get, “Huh?” There is, indeed, a reason it is located in a place called Flushing.
Yankee Stadium is in the Bronx. Now there’s a masculine, aggressive name. The Bronx.
Anyway, the Reds are gone, having lost Sunday, 4-1. But they took took of three. Counting the two games they won here during the 1976 World Series, they won four of the last five they played here.
Not many teams can say that.
Had it not rained Sunday for an hour, they might have swept this series. Johnny Cueto held the Yankees to one run and four hits, walking none and striking out seven. But it rained after the top of the sixth and the Yankees had scored a run in the fifth to take a 1-0 lead.
With the delay, Cueto couldn’t come back and bullpenners Gary Majewski and Jeremy Affeldt gave up three more in the next inning and that was that.
Edwin Encarnacion left after the second inning with lower back spasms and manager Dusty Baker had to move just-activated Jeff Keppinger from short to third and put bewildered rookie Paul Janish at shortstop.
When Janish’s turn to bat arrived, Baker pinch-hit catcher Javier Valentin and he was out of infielders. So he moved Keppinger back to third and put Valentin at third base.
Now there’s a sight. Valentin should have worn his chest protector, just in case, but he could have played there naked because he didn’t get a ball in the one inning he was there.
Even though the Reds won two of three, they still aren’t hitting. Adam Dunn isn’t hitting and sat out Sunday until the ninth when he pinch-hit with two on. He represented the tying run, but Mariano Rivera struck him out.
Janish isn’t coming close to a hit. Jay Bruce is struggling as we all expected him to do. Not even he can live up to the multi-page spread Sports Illustrated did on him this week, practically putting him into the Hall of Fame. Bruce still has a few pit stops on his way to Cooperstown, but he’ll adjust.
On to Toronto. From the vista that is Yankee Stadium we move to the indoor monstrosity that once was SkyDome and is now called Rogers Centre - now does that sound like a hockey arena, or what?
It is one of the last vestiges of artificial turf - a place where ping pong baseball is played. Heck, it isn’t even baseball. It’s a gigantic pinball machine.
And now one last look around before I pack my gear and head for the subway station. See ya, Yankee Stadium. See ya in my dreams.
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By Bob Ross
June 24, 2008 4:57 AM | Link to this
Wouldn’t it have been great if the Babe’s daughter Julia, who was present at the outset of the Reds-Yankees game this Sunday, had congratulated Junior on hitting 600 home runs? Two of those who stand between him and the Bambino were recognized by her several years ago before we learned that they cheated the game. And then, in his last at bat in this hallowed house built by Ruth, he hits number 601.
By Wolverine
June 23, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this
Nice job by Gary. Not sure if it is true, but that’s a great thought. 9 straight WS wins. As for Hal’s note that the clubhouses are too small,are you serious? Why do they need leather recliners, pingpong tables and all the other crap? they’re pro athletes! And how come a pitcher can’t return to the game after an hour delay? Shouldn’t he be rested? or at least keeping loose in the batting cage? He’s a pro athlete. As my old drill sergeant said, “suck it up cupcake, you’re a warrior!” And I made a lot less than these guys, who like to call a sports field, “the battle.” HHmmmm…Bet our kids in war would like a barcolounger and buffet before they go face roadside bombs and sniper bulletts. It must be horrible to make millions and have too small of a room to get dressed in. I know I wouldn’t want to make a million a year if I had poor facilities.
By Wolverine
June 23, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this
Nice job by Gary. Not sure if it is true, but that’s a great thought. 9 straight WS wins. As for Hal’s note that the clubhouses are too small,are you serious? Why do they need leather recliners, pingpong tables and all the other crap? they’re pro athletes! And how come a pitcher can’t return to the game after an hour delay? Shouldn’t he be rested? or at least keeping loose in the batting cage? He’s a pro athlete. As my old drill sergeant said, “suck it up cupcake, you’re a warrior!” And I made a lot less than these guys, who like to call a sports field, “the battle.” HHmmmm…Bet our kids in war would like a barcolounger and buffet before they go face roadside bombs and sniper bulletts. It must be horrible to make millions and have too small of a room to get dressed in. I know I wouldn’t want to make a million a year if I had poor facilities.
By wallyp
June 23, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this
FL BUCK, Last I checked, Manhattan is an island that includes the are that is called Harlem. Also, 125th is the center of Harlem, not the beginning.
By Y-City Jim
June 23, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this
Florida Buckeye - On Steroid Boy’s stolen base, Ross dropped the ball when he went to grab it out of the catcher’s mitt.
By Gary Maloy Jr
June 23, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this
About the Reds record at Yankee Stadium. They’d won four straight (games 3 and 4 in 1976, and the first two in this past weekend series). But is anybody else cognizant of the fact that the Reds have (probably anyway, I haven’t done the research) the longest winning streak in World Series play? Going back to Game 7 in 1975, the Reds have won 9 straight. A bit of trivia in these bleak Corey Patterson times…
By Patrick
June 23, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this
It should also be noted that the Reds are 8-2 in their last ten games vs. the Yankees. Not many teams can say that.
By Florida Buckeye
June 23, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this
Hal, I’m a firm believer that negativity begets negativity…but with that said; I can’t deny that when CP comes to plate at a critical situation, I have no hope for success…I get the same feeling whenever Griffey comes up, and a little bit of hustle is needed; or when Phillips tries to PULL every pitch…Also, what happened on Giambi’s stolen base? The YES announcers seemed to think that Ross fell asleep…any ideas? Lastly, a couple blogs back, one of your readers asked where Manhattan ends and Harlem begins. That would be 125th…
By Patrick
June 23, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this
It should also be noted that the Reds are 8-2 in their last ten games vs. the Yankees. Not many teams can say that.
By Calvin S.
June 23, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this
Great article today Hal. I thought it was nice that the Babe’s daughter got one last chance to see the place “Daddy called, his second home”, and with the oldest professional baseball team there. It seemed fitting. Change is often sad, scary and not easy, but is usually is good. It was a fitting tribute you gave today and in booth on tv. Good stuff.
By Jack
June 23, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this
Does Patterson have some pictures of Dusty doing bad things….how is he always in the line-up? Most teams would not be starting someone hitting under .200, let alone have him on the team. At least with Dunn, he can get on base, Patterson, every 20 or so at bats, gets on base.
By Reds Fan
June 23, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this
Tough game to lose as Dusty would say but it really was. Cueto pitched good but in all honesty I knew his day was done when wind and rain came. A sweep would have been nice but this team needs some plate discipline. Jacoby needs to go I really believe that. I know we have rookies but 2 out of 3 was mainly the result of good pitching might have been the sweep if Cueto could have went longer. This bullpen hasn’t shown me consistency. If we want any success in Toronto or Cleveland we have to hit.
By donb51
June 23, 2008 8:15 AM | Link to this
Hal, Your nostalgic reminiscing about Yankee stadium gave me a flashback. I spent a year on the USS Inchon named after one of many glorious battles in Marine Corps history. I knew every nook and cranny of that ship that hosted our helicopter squadron that was assiged to sweep mines from North Vietnamese waters. This action allowed our POWS to be released, including John McCain. The USS Inchon was decommissioned in 2001 and the flood of memories from everyday life during that period came rushing back at that time. The ship is gone, the shipmates gone but our EXACT same helicopters (CH-53 D models - HMH-463 out of Kanehoe, HI) are still serving and are in Iraq on this day. But those helicopters will also be gone soon. What isn’t gone are the memories of greatness that help those to follow strive to be the best they can be - whether baseball superstar, journalist, or aircrewman. Semper fi!
By Richard
June 23, 2008 8:01 AM | Link to this
All they had to say was, the starting pitcher for the Yankees is a lefty, I knew right then they were going to lose. It is sad when the opposing team scores the first run and you say well that’s the game and it usually is. The pitchers have to throw a shut out to win a game. Who’s side is Baker on? Why put Affeldt in , knowing his record with leftys? I hope Jacoby cleans house on this coaching staff. I have said it before, winning teams , have good leaders. This team has no leaders.
By Rob
June 23, 2008 7:11 AM | Link to this
The real”loss” belongs to Affeldt. If you calculated ERA to include inherited runners (a reasonable stat for your left handed stopper), Affeldt’s ERA would be around 12. He is flat terrible! Mace had a couple of close calls that should have been strikes. If called, the Reds are out of the inning with no damage. Had that game been played at GABP, both of the hits Affeldt gave up would have been dingers. Lose that bozo now!
By Bambino
June 23, 2008 6:56 AM | Link to this
As a native New Yorker, I found McCoy’s ode to Yankee Stadium fitting and appropriate. You can take away the physical structure of the place, but the memories of MLB’s GREATEST franchise will live on forever……………………………………………….. Thanks Hal.
By HuberTucky
June 23, 2008 12:15 AM | Link to this
Seems very unfair to me that Cueto got the loss today. He pitched 5 awesome innings of 4 ht, 1 run ball. Bozo Majewski comes in, gives up 2 hits and 2 runs and only gets 2 outs — HE SUCKED! Majewski lost the game in less than 1 inning and it’s totally unfair that Cueto gets the loss. Some of baseball’s rules defy logic, reason and fairness. This is one of them.
By Nate in Ft. Laud
June 22, 2008 9:27 PM | Link to this
Hal, you are right on the money about the mystique. Watched my college teammate make his MLB pitching debut for the Yanks last year at “The Stadium.” The atmosphere in and around the park is something that I will never forget. If you are a baseball fan you have to experience it before its gone… Although I was one of the lucky few that got to see Griff hit number 600 here in Florida (unfortunately I’m not “Joe”), would have been something else if today’s homer would have marked that milestone in Yankee Stadium. Just a thought…
By ShockMonkey
June 22, 2008 8:50 PM | Link to this
Patterson and Dunn. ‘nuf said.
By Don L
June 22, 2008 8:36 PM | Link to this
I was watching the UEFA soccer tournament and didn’t join the Reds game until the 6th inning. I swear it seems like everytime I tune in, the Reds give up a bunch of runs. They can be doing well and then the bottom falls out just as I turn over to their game. I must be a jinx.
By Ken Angel
June 22, 2008 7:23 PM | Link to this
Hal, I think the Reds have actually won 5 of their last 6 at Yankee stadium. You forgot to count the last game play during the 61 World series.