Last night, and Monday night, for that matter, provided some moments that will be forever remembered in sports history. Yankee Stadium, built in 1923, is in its final season. Yes, this shrine to baseball, sports, and America will be torn down at the end of the season, and the new Yankee Stadium will open across the street. Fortunately, Major League Baseball put together a great All-Star Break at the House that Ruth Built. This was the fourth All-Star game to be played at this historic ballpark, and will arguably be the most remembered. Fans at the stadium and in living rooms and bars around the country were mesmerized Monday night by a former heroin addict who several years ago was kicked out of baseball and living on the streets. Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers, with a new lease on life, free of drugs and having a spectacular season, hit 28 home runs in the first round of the Home Run Derby. That set a new record. Unfortunately Josh did not win the derby because the slates are wiped clean in the third round. But we all know he really did win it, and he definitely won the hearts of the fans. Tuesday night brought the game itself. Before the game, a good number of Hall of Famers were on hand to be honored. There were guys there who are legends of the game, that I only heard stories of growing up, like Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and Ernie Banks. There were legends of the game that I grew up watching, like Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn. Perhaps the most touching to see, however, was Yogi Berra. He was the last name to be read as they went through the Hall of Famers, and the former Yankee great was welcomed to a huge ovation. He is perhaps one of the last links to the Yankee legends like Mickey Mantle and Joe Dimaggio. As I watched these moments and the game, I could only wonder if Ruth, Gehrig, Dimaggio, Mantle, and countless other Yankee greats were smiling down on this evening from above. The game itself was a classic as well. 15 innings of good baseball. As much as it saddens me to see this great building torn down, at least the MLB is bidding it farewell in the right way. It's unlikely the Yankees will make the playoffs, but maybe there is still some magic in that old stadium and we will see a few more postseason games. Whatever happens, the stadium and the countless memories it contains will never be forgotten.
