Once again the New York Yankees proved why they are one of the few franchises that knows how to honor its past.
The Yankees held their traditional Old Timer's Day at the Stadium, but this year was extra special. First it marked the first time that both Lou Pinella and Joe Torre returned to the Bronx in Yankee uniforms.
For Torre the reunion ends three bitter years, where Torre was not a part of the Yankee tradition. He left the Yankees in a bitter contract dispute after the '07 season. He moved onto LA to manage the Dodgers the past three seasons, but was never acknowledged by Yankee brass during that time as a part of the franchises tradition.
Last season, Torre had a chance to reunite with his old team, when the Yankees came to LA to play the Dodgers, yet everyone waited for this moment. He got a nice ovation, and was even seen speaking with GM Brian Cashman, whom he had a bitter dispute with years ago.
The day also belonged to recent retirees, Tino Martinez and Bernie Williams. Martinez (NYY from 1996-2003) and Williams (NYY 1995 - 2008) received the loudest ovations, and even delivered at the plate. Williams doubled off the wall in left-center. Then Martinez cracked a two run homer to right field off David Cone.
The Yankees also honored retiring trainer Gene Monahane with various gifts that included a truck, a lawn mower, and a dog.
Other names who came to the old timer's day included: Joe Pepitone, Rick Cerone, Dwight Gooden, Darryl Strawberry, David Wells, Lee Mazzilli, Mel Stottlemyer, Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Reggie Jackson, and Goose Gossage.
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