KIDWCKED
07-17-2010, 05:51 PM
c/p from sportsnet by the a/p
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK -- Nick Swisher provided the most fitting tribute to George Steinbrenner.
Swisher hit a game-winning single with two outs in the ninth inning and the New York Yankees ended a most emotional Friday evening by beating the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4.
On a night when manager Joe Girardi cried, captain Derek Jeter's face went flush as he spoke to the crowd and closer Mariano Rivera placed two long-stemmed roses across home plate to remember Steinbrenner and beloved public address announcer Bob Sheppard, the Yankees won -- what better way for them to honour their demanding owner?
Swisher hit a tying home run in the eighth, then lined a single that sent Curtis Granderson sliding home for the victory in a matchup of the teams with the best records in baseball. The Yankees streamed from the dugout to celebrate, and Swisher wound up way out in right field, surrounded by jumping teammates.
The joyful ending was in sharp contrast to earlier events that honoured Steinbrenner, who died Tuesday, two days after the passing of Sheppard.
A 15-minute pre-game tribute included a two-minute moment of absolute silence. Not a single fan shouted out, and the only sounds were the flags flapping at half-staff and a passing subway.
Crowds snapped pictures of Steinbrenner's statue in the main lobby and quietly gathered around a makeshift memorial outside another gate.
It was quiet inside, by design. To honour Sheppard, who was 99 and announced players in dulcet tones for more than a half-century, there were no PA introductions. Even the Bleacher Creatures in right-centre field held off on their daily roll call.
The Yankees wore patches for Steinbrenner and Sheppard. One included "The Boss" and the other featured a microphone. Between innings, the video board showed clips of Steinbrenner, including his skits on "Saturday Night Live" and commercials with Billy Martin.
When the game was over, a recording of Sheppard played over the sound system. "Thank you for coming to the game," he said.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK -- Nick Swisher provided the most fitting tribute to George Steinbrenner.
Swisher hit a game-winning single with two outs in the ninth inning and the New York Yankees ended a most emotional Friday evening by beating the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4.
On a night when manager Joe Girardi cried, captain Derek Jeter's face went flush as he spoke to the crowd and closer Mariano Rivera placed two long-stemmed roses across home plate to remember Steinbrenner and beloved public address announcer Bob Sheppard, the Yankees won -- what better way for them to honour their demanding owner?
Swisher hit a tying home run in the eighth, then lined a single that sent Curtis Granderson sliding home for the victory in a matchup of the teams with the best records in baseball. The Yankees streamed from the dugout to celebrate, and Swisher wound up way out in right field, surrounded by jumping teammates.
The joyful ending was in sharp contrast to earlier events that honoured Steinbrenner, who died Tuesday, two days after the passing of Sheppard.
A 15-minute pre-game tribute included a two-minute moment of absolute silence. Not a single fan shouted out, and the only sounds were the flags flapping at half-staff and a passing subway.
Crowds snapped pictures of Steinbrenner's statue in the main lobby and quietly gathered around a makeshift memorial outside another gate.
It was quiet inside, by design. To honour Sheppard, who was 99 and announced players in dulcet tones for more than a half-century, there were no PA introductions. Even the Bleacher Creatures in right-centre field held off on their daily roll call.
The Yankees wore patches for Steinbrenner and Sheppard. One included "The Boss" and the other featured a microphone. Between innings, the video board showed clips of Steinbrenner, including his skits on "Saturday Night Live" and commercials with Billy Martin.
When the game was over, a recording of Sheppard played over the sound system. "Thank you for coming to the game," he said.