A Fitting End

The Yankees got this one right tonight. The pre-game ceremony was spectacular (Jeter’s speech and the subsequent victory lap at the end was pretty cool too) and the team played some solid baseball in order to get the win (which was, in this context, a must-win). With this win, Yankee Stadium has officially become the old Yankee Stadium, as the team can now look forward to making new and beautiful memories across the street (in their new home). Hopefully, the next ballpark will house an abundance of home runs, perfect games, legend-making moments and, of course, a few championship titles (yes sir).

Tonight was all about pride– Yankee pride. That was what we saw as it is definitive for this team (this is what the Yankees are about). Pride, it’s the Yankees’ central attribute and it’s important to the team’s identity, especially when you consider how the year has played out. The Yankees are on the brink of elimination (barring a BoSox collapse), and they’re essentially playing for pride as the season comes to a close. In light of the times, the display of pride that we all witnessed tonight was entirely appropriate. Ultimately, it reminds us what’s at stake and what the team is playing for (in case we forgot).

On a side note, with a lineup that features players like Alex Rodriguez, Jason Giambi, and others, who knew that Jose Molina would hit the last homer at Yankee Stadium? When he rounded the bases he had a smile across his face that could light the city of New York.