Brad's www.HistoryOfTheYankees.com Blog

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Harvey Frommer on Sports - Lou Gehrig's Farewell Speech

Harvey Frommer on Sports

From The TrunkLou Gehrig Appreciation Day, The Farewell Speech

It was Yankees versus Senators on July 4, 1939, a doubleheader at Yankee Stadium. Those in attendance numbered 61,808, and most of them had showed up to honor Lou Gehrig in a ceremony between games.
Players, officials, writers and employees at the park out-did themselves with gifts for the Iron Horse. A parade launched the 40-minute ceremony as the Seventh Regiment Band escorted Babe Ruth, Waite Hoyt, Bob Meusel, Herb Pennock, Joe Dugan, Tony Lazzeri, Mark Koenig, Benny Bengough, Wally Schang, Everett Scott, Wally Pipp, George Pipgras and Bob Shawkey to the center field flagpole. A banner was hoisted saluting the 1927 Yankees.
Then the group of former stars, all in street clothes, assembled shoulder to shoulder near the pitcher's mound. Yankees and Senators formed a semicircle around a microphone at home plate. "We want Lou, we want Lou," the chant began. Led out of the dugout by Yankees president Ed Barrow, Gehrig doffed his cap and fought back tears as the crowd roared.
Sid Mercer, the Master of ceremonies, announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, Lou Gehrig has asked me to thank you all for him. He is too moved to speak."
"We want Lou! We want Lou!" the chant was a plea for Gehrig to speak.
Coaxed by manager Joe McCarthy, Gehrig wiped his eyes, blew his nose. On unsteady feet, he moved towards the microphone to speak the speech he had written the night before.
"Fans, for the past two weeks you have been reading about a bad break I got. Yet today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth. I have been in ballparks for seventeen years and I have never received anything but kindness and encouragement from you fans. "Look at these grand men. Which of you wouldn't consider it the highlight of his career just to associate with them for even one day? Sure I'm lucky. Who wouldn't have considered it an honor to have known Jacob Ruppert? Also, the builder of baseball's greatest empire, Ed Barrows? To have spent six years with that wonderful little fellow, Miller Huggins? Then to have spent the next nine years with that outstanding leader, that smart student of psychology, the best manager in baseball today, Joe McCarthy? Sure, I'm lucky. When the New York Giants, a team you would give your right arm to beat and vice versa, sends you a gift, that's something. When everybody down to the groundskeeper and those boys in white coats remember you with trophies, that's something. When you have a father and mother work all their lives so that you can have an education and build your body, it's a blessing. When you have a wife who has been a tower of strength and shown more courage than you dreamed existed, that's the finest I know. So I close in saying that I might have had a bad break, but I have an awful lot to live for."
Until season's end "The Pride of the Yankees" was there with and for his team. He spent every day on the bench and traveled with the Yankees on road trips. He sat through all four of the 1939 World Series games.
On June 3, 1941 Lou Gehrig died at his home, 5204 Delafield Avenue, in the Fieldston section of the Bronx He would have been 38 years old on June 19.
Confined to his home for the last month of his life, he lost weight steadily during his final weeks. It was reported that he was twenty-five pounds under weight shortly before he died.
Harvey Frommer is his 33rd consecutive year of writing sports books. The author of 40 of them including the classics: "New York City Baseball,1947-1957" and "Shoeless Joe and Ragtime Baseball," his acclaimed REMEMBERING YANKEE STADIUM, an oral/narrative history (Abrams, Stewart, Tabori and Chang) was published in 2008 as well as a reprint version of his classic "Shoeless Joe and Ragtime Baseball." The prolific Frommer is at work on REMEMBERING FENWAY PARK (2010).
Frommer sports books are available direct from the author - discounted and autographed.FROMMER SPORTSNET (syndicated) reaches a readership in the millions and is housed on Internet search engines for extended periods of time.

Marty Appel's New Book on Thurman Munson - by Paul Doherty

You’ve all heard me mention my friend the public relations guru, and one-time Yankee director of PR, Marty Appel. On July 7 he has a new biography of Thurman Munson being published, “The Life and Death of Yankee Captain Thurman Munson.” I got an advance copy and it’s terrific. Marty is very through and even includes a transcription of Thurman’s last interview; one he did w/Frank Messer on WINS Radio two days before he was killed. Marty was also generous enough to acknowledge me by name in the book. It was my pleasure to help him. Get the book when it comes out. And tell your friends too.

Posted by Brad from Paul Doherty. Thanks for the information Paul.

PRESS RELEASE: FLEMINGTON CELEBRATES BASEBALL!

PRESS RELEASE: FLEMINGTON CELEBRATES BASEBALL!

For immediate release: The fun of Cooperstown is happening in Flemington, New Jersey on Saturday, July 11th, 2009.Baseball is America’s passion and we will be celebrating our Pastime during All Star weekend. ART of FRAMING and Hunterdon Sports specialists have combined their resources offering a celebration free for all of the community. Local resident and renowned sports illustrator, James Fiorentino, is hosting a BASEBALL happening on the grounds of Turntable Junction on Saturday, July 11th, (Rain Date July 12th) from 10 am to 4 pm. Fiorentino will have his latest original artwork available for the public to view and purchase.Yankee Legend Babe Ruth’s granddaughter, Linda Ruth Tosetti will also be on hand to meet the public and sign autographed books and photos. Entouraging Linda will be a team of fans who are looking to retire Babe’s # 3 throughout Major League Baseball attempting to acquire as many supporter’s signatures as possible. The history of Flemington and baseball goes back to the late 19th century and our local team, the Neshanocks will be riding in on the Black River and Western train right behind ART of FRAMING. The Neshanocks, who play baseball by the rules of the 1880’s, will travel with family members from the Ringoes Station. Upon their arrival, they will be period uniformed and ready to play pepper on the greens of Turntable Junction.Vendors will include the Somerset Patriots who will be bringing along their popular mascots Sparky and Slider. The Jack Cust Academy and Diamond Nation will be set up to promote their wonderful baseball fields and programs. Food will be available to purchase by the public provided by local restaurants around Turntable Junction. Giveaways have been donated (from the vendors) to be awarded every half hour! What a fun day for all participants: to celebrate baseball along side of so many sports aficionados!. Please contact: Sharon /Jim Hill @ ART of FRAMING (www.artofframing.net) 908-782-9915 Visionary Art Inc-James Fiorentino (www.jamesfiorentino.com) 908-782-8509

New York Yankees Postgame Alert for June 30

Monday, June 29, 2009

SAVE THE GATE - Tomorrow 4-7pm - June 30th

Hope to see many people tomorrow at the old stadium in front of Gate 2 from 4-7pm. Come help SAVE THE GATE and preserve history for future generations to come!!!!

SEE YOU THERE!!!!

New York Yankees Postgame Alert for June 28

In recording this 500th save, Rivera closed the door on the Mets and completed the sweep of their crosstown rivals. The Yankees won these 3 games and made up a little ground on the 1st place Red Sox in the meantime. The Yankees are off today and welcome to Seattle Mariners tomorrow. I will be at the game for our tribute to SAVE THE GATE, gate 2 at the old stadium, from 4-7pm and attending the game as well afterwards. Go Yankees! Take care....Brad

New York Yankees Postgame Alert

June 28, 2009

N.Y. Yankees 4, N.Y. Mets 2 at Citi Field
N.Y. Yankees Record: (43-32)N.Y. Mets Record: (37-37)

Winning pitcher - Chien-Ming Wang (1-6)
Losing pitcher - Livan Hernandez (5-3)
SV - Mariano Rivera (18)

N.Y. Yankees Runs: 4, Hits: 4, Errors: 0N.Y. Mets Runs: 2, Hits: 5, Errors: 0GAME LINKS:Game Recap & Box Score:http://link.mlblists.com/r/CVNAF9/MCQ9A/JZ6KB/GKMII6/C5LGGA/QR/t?a=partnerId=ed-2691092-55341588%26source=ed-2691092-55341588Visit yankees.com for more information:http://link.mlblists.com/r/CVNAF9/MCQ9A/JZ6KB/GKMII6/QF7WWS/QR/t?a=partnerId=ed-2691092-55341588%26source=ed-2691092-55341588Standings:http://link.mlblists.com/r/CVNAF9/MCQ9A/JZ6KB/GKMII6/C5LGG7/QR/t?a=partnerId=ed-2691092-55341588%26source=ed-2691092-55341588Game Notes:http://link.mlblists.com/r/CVNAF9/MCQ9A/JZ6KB/GKMII6/18QRFG/QR/t?a=partnerId=ed-2691092-55341588%26source=ed-2691092-55341588Video Highlights:http://link.mlblists.com/r/CVNAF9/MCQ9A/JZ6KB/GKMII6/TP4DYP/QR/t?a=partnerId=ed-2691092-55341588%26source=ed-2691092-55341588Photo Gallery:http://link.mlblists.com/r/CVNAF9/MCQ9A/JZ6KB/GKMII6/ZBISJG/QR/t?a=partnerId=ed-2691092-55341588%26source=ed-2691092-55341588
Next N.Y. Yankees Game: June 30, 2009 07:05 PM ET vs. Seattle Mariners
Upcoming N.Y. Yankees Home Games:vs. Seattle Mariners, June 30, 2009 07:05 PM ET http://link.mlblists.com/r/CVNAF9/MCQ9A/JZ6KB/GKMII6/5CRPU2/QR/t?a=partnerId=ed-2691092-55341588%26source=ed-2691092-55341588vs. Seattle Mariners, July 1, 2009 07:05 PM ET http://link.mlblists.com/r/CVNAF9/MCQ9A/JZ6KB/GKMII6/OJA54N/QR/t?a=partnerId=ed-2691092-55341588%26source=ed-2691092-55341588vs. Seattle Mariners, July 2, 2009 07:05 PM ET http://link.mlblists.com/r/CVNAF9/MCQ9A/JZ6KB/GKMII6/NS2M5N/QR/t?a=partnerId=ed-2691092-55341588%26source=ed-2691092-55341588

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Fans Want to Preserve Piece of Yankee History

Fans Want to Preserve Piece of Yankee History

NEW YORK (WCBS 880) -- The original Yankee Stadium is currently scheduled to be completely knocked down, making way for the new Heritage Field. However, a group of fans have expressed their sentimental attachment to the older building.LISTEN: WCBS reporter Peter Haskell investigates the historic Yankee Stadium's future in a full-length conference call.
Many fans want Gate 2 to remain untouched when the original stadium is knocked down. WCBS reporter Peter Haskell said fans are worried that demolishing the old ball park entirely would erase an essential aspect of New York's Yankee history.
The gate is virtually unchanged since 1923, when the ball park was built, and the Star-Ledger says it is the most complete piece of the pre-renovated stadium. If left standing, the gate would serve as a historic reminder directly across 161st street from the new ball park.
The 10-acre Heritage Field is currently slated to cover the ball park's demolished space. The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation says the park would include three new athletic fields and newly planted trees and landscaping. Plans for a preserved Gate 2, however, aren't part of the blueprint yet.
Copyright 2009 WCBS 880, All Rights Reserved.

New York Yankees Postgame Alert for June 27

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Bernie Williams Signing Update - June 30th

Bernie Williams will be at Borders in Mount Kisco (162 East Main Street), NY for a CD signing on Tuesday, June 30th at 7 PM. For more information please call 914-241-8387.

Thanks-
www.berniewilliams.net

New York Yankees Postgame Alert for June 26