The Yankee faithful offered prayers for cancer-stricken pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre as they gathered at the Stadium yesterday, even as the home opener was postponed until tomorrow because of bad weather.
“All of us are worried about him like we were for [Joe] Torre and [Darryl] Strawberry,” said Hector Rodriguez, 34, of The Bronx, referring to the cancer struggles of the Yankee manager and the world champs’ troubled slugger. “But I’m sure he’ll pull through.”
The 58-year-old Stottlemyre, a former Yankee hurler, stunned fans Sunday with his announcement that he is suffering from a rare form of bone-marrow cancer and will begin chemotherapy treatment this week.
Carmen Alicea, 38, of Brooklyn, who was buying tickets outside Yankee Stadium, said everyone is “praying for him.”
“He’s a true-blue Yankee and he’s done a lot for this team,” she said. “I wish him all the best.”
Carlos Alameda, 39, a meat packer from The Bronx, said he hopes Stottlemyre can pull through because the team needs him.
“Like they’ve done in the past, the Yankees need to turn this into a positive on the field,” he said.
Groundskeepers were power-hosing the field as concessionaires were getting ready for a sold-out crowd. As it turns out, they’ll have an extra day to prepare.
The Bronx Bombers were to take on the Texas Rangers this afternoon at 1 p.m., but a forecast of winter-like snow and sleet and a wind chill in the 20s forced postponement of the opener until tomorrow at the same time.
“I’m really psyched about it,” said Juan Martinez, 32, a die-hard Yankee fan. “Nothing beats the feeling when they raise that World Series banner.”
Before the opening pitch, the Yankees are planning a celebration of the 1999 championship, including the flight of a bald eagle named Challenger, who is to glide from the outfield to home plate during the national anthem.
“He’s going to do a reverse home run,” said trainer Al Cecere as the eagle was going through several test runs. “He usually gets a standing ovation. He might even do a few extra spins for the fans.”
Stores along River Avenue were also looking forward to Opening Day.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment all winter,” said Steve Martucci, owner of Stan’s Sports World. “It’s always the biggest day of the season. It’s bigger than the World Series.”
Abbadi Abdulreb, owner of Stadium Souvenirs, was putting up jerseys and lining up caps.
“I’m expecting a full house,” he said. “Lots of people will come in and buy up everything in sight.”