The Yankees’ Old-Timers’ Day returned, but the game itself did not.
Saturday marked the 74th Old-Timers’ Day in The Bronx, the 12th at the current Yankee Stadium and the first since 2019, but there was no exhibition to accompany the ceremony.
A Yankees spokesman cited a variety of factors that led to plenty of waving from team icons, but no waving any bats. Several icons were on the virtual injured list — including David Cone, who is recovering from hip replacement surgery, and Bernie Williams, who said he would have a leg procedure soon.
Mariano Rivera was not in attendance because of a scheduling conflict. Several other former Yankees would not have been allowed on the field because they are unvaccinated.
Add it all up, and the Yankees realized they were lacking several marquee names and opted against playing the game. The turnout — about two dozen — was notably lower than it had been in past seasons.
Before the Yankees’ game against the Royals, the Old Timers met in Monument Park and walked to the infield when John Sterling and Michael Kay announced their names. Ron Guidry threw out the ceremonial first pitch to the late Thurman Munson’s son, Michael.
“I’ve been disappointed,” said John ByDook, a high school basketball coach in New Jersey who came to the Stadium for the first time this year to watch Old-Timers’ Day. “Not necessarily the people they brought back, but to have no game … I’m disappointed how they brought them out from center field, rather than bring them out from the dugout, like they used to.
“They changed everything.”
The roster that did show included four Monument Park inductees: Guidry, Williams, Tino Martinez and Willie Randolph. Manager Aaron Boone and assistant hitting coach Hensley Meulens also joined the ceremony.
Derek Jeter has not attended Old-Timers’ Day since he retired in 2014, and did not again, though he is no longer CEO of the Marlins. Jeter will be honored at the Stadium on Sept. 9 to salute his 2021 Hall of Fame induction.
The consensus from the fans appeared to be less annoyance about the starpower and more annoyance about not seeing their heroes play.
“I missed the game. I’ve been down here for the last 15 years. It’s always been a great day,” said Marty Flint, who was at the park for the game and is the mayor of the Village of Remsen in Oneida County. “We were a little disappointed that we didn’t get to see them actually play. Other than that, I was kind of hoping that Mo would show up. And he didn’t show up. … But all in all, it’s always good to see the representation of the legends.”
The Yankees had asked fans to arrive early for the “ceremony,” and a few fans said they were not aware beforehand the game would not be played.
Boone is among the many who would like to see the game return.
“I think it’s cool,” said the manager, who mentioned wanting to face Roger Clemens. “I haven’t played in the game, but I’ve gone out there and taken [batting practice] a couple years. That’s fun — to get in a group with the Old Timers and take BP like you used to do it. Hopefully some form or fashion of that returns as we strive to get to more normal and more normal.”
Martinez said he was “a little bit” bummed that there was no game, but that it was “still great to be here.”
Williams smiled and said he was glad there was no game because his leg would not have enjoyed it.
“But I’m looking forward to maybe next time if I’m in better physical [condition],” the longtime center fielder said.
Some fans were just happy to see the players they grew up rooting for.
“I was wondering how this was going to be without the game, but it was very well done,” said fan Ted Ducary, who had been at Old-Timers’ Day in 2019, when he saw Reggie Jackson — who was not present Saturday. “But I would prefer the game.”
