Yankeemania!
If I’d been at today’s parade, I probably would have made a ticker tape snow angel too. But before I get to the festivities in the Canyon of Heroes, there were still fans celebrating Wednesday night’s Game 6 triumph. Remember Karissa, the four-year-old she-fan I met in the parking lot of Angel Stadium during the ALCS? Apparently, she has a brother and the two of them did a little victory dance after the Yankees beat the Phillies.
Then there was Bill “Surf Dog” Connell, who was overjoyed that the Yanks notched #27.
The celebrating continued last night when three of the “core four” appeared on Letterman.
Is it me or do ballplayers look completely different in “street clothes?” I’m so used to seeing them in uniform that it’s always a shock when they show up in suits. They look bigger and somehow too otherworldly for the stuff we civilians wear. Not that they weren’t adorable with Dave. And having Hideki make his cameo at the end was priceless. Good job, boys.
Today’s parade was fun to watch. In addition to the usual suspects (current mayor and former mayors, Yogi and Reggie, broadcasters, Steinbrenners, and, of course, the players themselves), I was thrilled to see Freddy on a float, banging his frying pan. Remember at the beginning of the season when he was denied entry to the new Stadium? How things have changed. I feel a special kinship with that man and his pan.
And how about the player pairings on those floats? AJ and Molina? Naturally. A-Rod and Jay-Z? Why not? Jeter and Minka? Hmm. But they’re not engaged? Sure.
CC and Tex shared a float (I may kidnap “Lil CC”; that child is too cute). Marte and Joba were riding together, along with Wang and his baby. Andy and Chad Gaudin? OK. Damon with Swisher? Makes sense. Melky and his mother? Absolutely. I loved how they were all holding MLB-provided Flip Video camcorders – also known as the She-Fan Cam.
What I didn’t love was that the MLB Network (I don’t get YES programming here in California, just the games) had the nerve to cut away during the procession for a Phillies press conference. Excuse me? Talk about raining on my parade.
A few fashion notes before the finale at City Hall:
* A-Rod’s black fedora, also worn by Melky, was an interesting choice.
* Mo’s scarf was oh-so-stylish.
* Suzyn Waldman’s black leather outfit was very biker-chick.
The ceremony at City Hall went too fast for me – I would have enjoyed hearing each Yankee say a few words – and I thought my head would explode while they were playing that horrible Six Flags music.
But I got a kick out of Bloomberg’s line about Jimmy Rollins’ crystal ball, Girardi’s story about his phone conversation with The Boss, Jeter’s graceful thank you to the fans and the Steinbrenners, and AJ’s stealth grab of A-Rod’s hat. Please, Yankees. Can we do this again next year?
Confessions of a She-Fan 
I love those two lil Yankee fans… and how cool is that they get to share that wonderful winning feeling. My hope is they are hooked for life : )
Buz
How cute are they, Buz? They may not realize exactly what happened and the significance of it in a baseball sense, but the experience of the Yankees winning and the feeling of being so happy will stay with them forever.
OMG, those pint-sized Yankee fans are so cute! And yes, this experience will stay with them for life. I was about the same age as the little girl when the Twins won it all in ’87, and I have been a fan ever since. Speaking of the girl, I see none of her Yankee gear is pink. Obviously her parents are raising her right.-Erinhttp://plunking-gomez.blogspot.com
LOL about the pink gear, Erin. I was six when I first became aware of the Yankees and the experience certainly stayed with me, as if you couldn’t tell! I think if parents nurture their kids’ enthusiasm for a team, their fandom lasts for life. How could it not!
i was kind of disappointed at the parade. while i was thrilled that i had those hours between work obligations to watch for so many hours, it wasn’t as great as i wished. watching on tv, i wanted more. i wanted to hear from the yankees. mlb didn’t interview players on floats or as they were getting on floats. i wanted to hear from more players at the key ceremony. i was glad to see all the players but i wanted more of their personality, thoughts, etc.
in the evening, i happened to turn on espn and heard an amazing version of the national anthem and when they showed who it was it was none other than bernie williams! lots of yankees courtside at the knick game and bernie really can play.
then i clicked over to espn classic and there was game 4 (leyritz homer) of the 96 world series. so i got my yankee dose.
and today i have lots of articles and videos to watch that i haven’t gotten to yet. then i think it’s time to return to life that isn’t either sleep, work, or yankees as it’s been for me for a month. i actually went back to the library–something i do weekly during regular–non playoff–life. i think i’ll read a book. this may be the longest i’ve ever gone without reading a book.
i am glad this blog continues through the season. we can share our withdrawal. we can perhaps share the crazy things we do for the yankees. we can have our own hot stove talk–who to sign, predictions, etc. and of course still bask in 27! the year of the walk off.
barbara
Jane, I had all the same thoughts as you on the parade. I thought Melky, Mo and Mick Kelleher looked particularly dashing. Damon and Swishy looked like rock stars – loved Damon’s shades!
We thought the guys also looked different in their suits. It really made you realize how large they are, particularly Andy Pettitte’s thighs, which of course give him the power to push off the mound. Then we were joking about how much material it must take to make a suit for CC.
YES interviewed players before they got on their floats. The best was Dave Robertson, who was their with his parents and girl friend. He was looking up and around and was clearly in total awe of what was going on in the great city of NY.
Either him or Coke (who also looked very awed) spoke about how different it was from their hometown, which has 2 traffic lights!
YES has a cool video taken from their float at http://web.yesnetwork.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=7125649
It makes you appreciate the crowd and gives you a taste of what it was like for the players.
On the YES site, you can also watch the Center Stage with Tino Martinez. I highly recommend it! Tino’s enthusiasm for the fans is really nice. He is just a nice guy and I came away from the show feeling really warm and happy.
Barbara, you posted to the right place, because I work in a library. I just got out several baseball books to tide me over for a while. First, if you haven’t already, go buy Jane’s “Confessions of a She Fan.” Then you can buy and read her other books!
I read constantly and I have to say my favorite book is “The Brothers K” by David James Duncan. It has lots of Yankee stuff in it, but is about Vietnam, 7th Day Adventists, India, but mostly about the power of love and family. It is WONDERFUL!!!!
A book that is just about baseball and how it relates to life is “The Game: One Man, Nine Innings, a Love Affair With Baseball” by Robert Benson. Excellent book that reminds you of why we love this game so much.
Another one I like, if just for the premise, is “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend: Women Writers on Baseball.” It’s a little uneven and I didn’t like all of it, but it does have a piece by NY Times food critic Molly O’Neill about growing up with Paulie and her brothers.
Sitting here letting this championship soak in. Aaaaaah!
Melissa
Things got a little cheesy with the changing of Girardi’s #; and the Venga Boys. The VENGA BOYS?!?
http://www.paullebowitz.com/
http://www.princeofny.blogspot.com/
I’ve been able to enjoy the YES network’s broadcast of the Parade and Key Ceremony — not live because I was at work but we DVR’d it and YES has been rebroadcasting over and over. I’m watching again right now.
I really enjoyed it — the sheer pleasure of everyone involved. Yes, the Venga Boys should have been shut down much earlier and I think they could have enjoyed the luncheon after the Key Ceremony instead of making us all sit around after the parade. But those are really my only complaints.
I LOVE The Boss’s son; he really has that temperment that his father brought to the team. And Girardi’s short speech was great. It was nice that there were comments for each of the players as they came up to get their keys.
One of my daughter’s friends went to the parade and got some amazing pictures which I enjoyed from my daughter’s i-phone. Obviously those who could get there had the experience of a life time but it was pleasurable to see it from the comfort of our living room as well. I’m hoping for #28 next year — nothing, and I mean nothing, will keep the Anziano’s from going to THAT parade, I assure you.
Jane,
That first picture of the girls lying in the ticker tape paper cracks me up! I so would have loved to been there celebrating right along side all the other great fans. But I did get to watch the parade on tv, and I got a real kick out of seeing Freddy on a float 🙂 I’m glad the Yankees included him in the celebration. Other than the Six Flags song, I thought everything was great. It was nice to see all the boys together one last time celebrating. I think it’s finally hit me that it’s a long time until Spring Training…But it’s been a great year for the Yankees. And I couldn’t be prouder!
~ Bran
Very cool. It’s hard not to like those core players, eh? Admittedly, I’ve always had a soft spot for Jeter… and Mo is the best closer in history… and Pettitte won me over with his honesty about his HGH use… Posada? Not so much, but, hey, y’can’t win ’em all… well, I guess the Yankees can, but you know what I’m sayin’.
–Jeff
http://redstatebluestate.mlblogs.com/
http://mtrredstatebluestate.com
Barbara, you and I were unlucky not to get YES and all the interviews they did. So I agree with you 100% about MLB’s coverage: no interviews. Plus I would have liked the Yankees to speak for a minute as they accepted their key to the city. I know that would have prolonged the ceremony, but it left me wanting more. And that song. Oh, God. What were they thinking. Yes, the blog will have plenty to discuss over the next three months – the GM Meetings are coming right up – and then it’s spring training. It’ll go by very fast. You’ll see.
You got me, Melissa. I forgot to mention Damon – his pouffy hair and his shakes. LOL. And as I said to Barbara, I wish we’d had access to YES so I could have seen those interviews. I appreciated your link all the more and will watch asap. Thanks for all those great reading suggestions too. It helps to have a pro like you guide us when it comes to books. I did read Molly O’Neill’s memoir about her family and devoured the parts about Paul.
The Venga Boys song was the most annoying thing, Paul. I was tearing my hair out. Who would ever choose that? But I can’t agree with you about Girardi changing his number. Why shouldn’t he?
I had wanted to go to the parade so much, Bran, but I’m happy I got to see it on TV like you did. I couldn’t believe it when I saw Freddy on a float! LOL. There he was just banging on that pan. I expected Bald Vinny to be doing his roll call too. And how about the Hip Hip Jorge guy. Anyhow, it was great to see so many people turn out for the parade. What a day.
OK, so you like three of the four core players, Jeff. That’s huge! I’ll take it! Honestly, if I were a Yankee hater I couldn’t bring myself to hate Mo. I’m biased, of course, but talk about class and dignity, not to mention amazing talent. He is, indeed, the hammer of god.
I’m glad you brought up Hal Steinbrenner, Diane. I should have mentioned him in my recap. I thought he hit just the right notes in his remarks. He has his father’s determined attitude but is much less blustery. And, of course, I appreciated that he thanked the fans. (I always love when we get a shout out. 🙂 He’s not bad looking either! Great hair. So you’re vowing to go to the next parade? I’ll hold you to that. I just hope it’s SOON.
i’m still hyper from the victory– or is it just that my body is so happy to have a lot of sleep again–so after two hours at the gym, i watched a lot of yankee videos that i hadn’t gotten to.
there a great video with all of the highlights of the postseason. it’s like those videos that you buy but with only the good parts and no wasted talk. even though it just happened, i hadn’t remembered all of the great highlights. i was very fun.
melissa, thanks for the book recommendations. i loved jane’s book, of course, i like some of the diamond’s are a girls’ best friend. i liked paul o’neill’s me and my dad. I liked molly o’neill’s book. i am looking forward to barbara kingslover’s new book. i read a lot, mostly all novels, so any book recommendations are appreciated. thanks.
still smiling, barbara
a little cheesy? OMG…that song is something a black ops crew might use to torture someone into giving it up. it HAS to work better than waterboarding. it was atrocious. speaking as a disc jockey myself i really would like to sternly question the person who made that choice for the occasion.
other than that…a splendid day!
Glad to see everyone is still here at the blog. It will help to slowly withdraw from this amazing season. Of course, I had a couple of people congratulate me at work (a high school in the Boston suburbs), but mostly I could just hear some kids teasing the few Yankees fans that are around; they are saying, “oh, well, the Yankees suck…” Well, I just had to think, “really? -not so much.” But I never get involved in those interchanges between students!!! I, too, missed the parade between work and my geographical location. I enjoyed the Yes video that was linked above and have been enjoying some other clips from mlb all morning. If anyone has another great one, please share. Jane, I loved you video of the kids and Bill. My niece went to the parade and my Dad watched the whole thing on YES. So, I got the feeling. Sounds like it was great. Gee, if they could do it again next year, maybe I could try to take the day off? !!!!
CC’s turn on The Jay Leno Show was pretty good too! He definitely showed that he is a great guy and one deserving of a championship in his first year with the Yankees. Clearly, DJ had the best float companion, but of course, A-Rod probably had the best musical choice. But where was Kate? I figured that we’d see Kurt Russell wearing his Yankee cap on the float with A-Rod! LOL! It was fun watching DJ, Andy and Jorge on the Letterman show but Georgie definitely benefits from wearing hats. OMG, those ears! 😉 It was a fun day. I definitely wish that I would have been in New York. I guess we’ll just have to do this again next year!
Scott
http://fotr.mlblogs.com
Barbara, I can’t remember if we already talked about this, but did you read “The Help?” It’s on my list to read. I’ve heard it’s good. My other passion besides baseball is movies, so I’m about to post about the one I saw today. I love that baseball is over just at the time all the good Oscar candidates come out.
Mike, I think they play the song at the Stadium, so maybe someone had the brilliant idea to transfer it to City Hall. Talk about a bonehead move. And the repetition of it was beyond migraine-inducing.
I was surprised we didn’t see Kate at the parade, Scott. Maybe she doesn’t like crowds unless she’s on the red carpet. LOL. Poor Jorge and those ears. Oh, well. He got himself a pretty wife so I guess she doesn’t mind them!
Yup, we’re here, Ellen. Fear not! I’m glad you’re staying out of the fray when it comes to the kids’ back and forth about the Yankees. It must take a lot of restraint, so I commend you. As for the parade, if the Yankees manage to pull off another World Series victory, we should ALL take the day off and make sure to meet up at the parade. No excuses.
Got 12 minutes? This link gives you John Sterling’s calls on the post season games. Made me cry!
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=7125149&c_id=mlb
Melissa
Karissa and her brother are adorable! I missed the boys on Letterman — I went to bed early because I have a cold (yep, all the hand washing and using hand sanitizers worked so well for me…), so I had no idea they were on. It’s definitely interesting to see ballplayers in street clothes, particularly suits. They look so different!
Shelley http://diamonddiva.mlblogs.com/
Waaaaah, Melissa. That video made me cry too – but in a good way. Thanks for posting the link!
Sorry about your cold, Shelley. Everybody seems to be coming down with bad stuff right now. I hope you feel better soon. The boys were adorable on Letterman, suits and all. I kept saying, “Jeter’s so big!” For some reason, he grows whenever he’s not on the field. LOL.
Hi Jane,
I’m looking forward to the off season blog since I am tired of hearing nothing but Florida college football, the NFL and the Miama Heat from now on. I can never get my fill of baseball (I certainly passed that on to Barbara) having been roooting for the Yankees since 1936, when thewre were 16 teams, you knew all the players and baseball really was the National Pastime – no professional basketball, the NFL had relatively few teams and the season ended in December and hockey had about 7 teams.
Glad to hear you are a movie fan, also. I am a Netflix afficionado and now get instabnt movies on my TV. I would like to recommend a great movie I saw yesterday – “An Education”.
Here’s to number 28.
Harold
Hi, Harold. I saw “An Education” as part of the festival screening process (see my next post) and loved it. I thought the acting was superb, and the young actress who played the lead came to our group and was very personable. Lots of interesting movies coming out now and toward the end of the year. But we’ll keep talking about baseball too, as trade rumors are beginning to circulate!
The only reason Jimmy Rollin’s prediction was wrong was because the Yankees paid someone 210 million dollars to shatter it.