I thought the Yankees did Monday’s George Steinbrenner ceremony right Monday night. Things got a little dusty in this Squawker household, to use a Bill Simmonsism. Here are a few thoughts on the evening:
* I’ve decided that if there is anybody I want to meet in the Steinbrenner family, it’s Hank. He seems to be the child with most of his father’s personality.
* I don’t ever remember seeing Joan Steinbrenner before — she’s definitely been out of the public eye forever. The funny thing was, though, when I saw some addled-looking man escorting her, I wondered to myself at first, “Gee, that guy’s in bad shape.” Then I realized that the befuddled-looking person was Bud Selig!
* Don Mattingly looks so young! Younger than when he was a coach with the Yankees. He still needs to bring the mustache back, though. It was nice to see him. Mattingly was truly a class act in the way he left the Yankees, which is why no fence-mending was needed on his part.
* Good to see David Wells at the event. He was one of Steinbrenner’s faves. But, unless I missed it, where was Paul (The Warrior) O’Neill?
* Smartest thing the Yankees did — and I am sure it was deliberate — was to not introduce any of the VIPs. While fans cheered for Mattingly and Joe Torre, them being there didn’t overshadow the ceremony itself. On the other hand, the media is all about Torre today in the stories. Well, that, and one other thing…
* …That monument is, um, monumental! I’m wondering if Yankee players in the batters’ box will be able to see The Boss’ image looking at them, the way the eyes of Doctor T. J. Eckleberg gazed upon the characters in “The Great Gatsby.”
* I’m also glad the Yankees won. There wouldn’t have been anything sort of Grandish if they were to lose on the night of the Steinbrenner tribute!
What do you think? Tell us about it!
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