There will be no baseball at Yankee Stadium in October - not with the starting rotation and the underachieving offense the former Bronx Bombers have assembled this season - so when the last out is recorded in the Yankees-Orioles contest on September 21, the lights will be turned off for the final time, at least for a Yankees game.
This is why the celebration at last night's (and this morning's) All-Star Game was especially important. In an amazing illustration of baseball history, 49 living Hall of Famers were introduced (though Yaz and Carlton Fisk were apparently not invited) along with the American League and National League starters. George Steinbrenner was transported to the pitcher's mound on a golf cart to deliver the ceremonial first pitch balls that were thrown by Yankees greats Whitey Ford, Reggie Jackson, Yogi Berra and Goose Gossage. The All-Star Game was the last time the nation's eyes will be focused on grand ole' Yankee Stadium, unless Ron Guidry and David Cone morph back into their prime and return to the Yankees rotation.
About five hours after Cliff Lee delivered the first pitch of the 2008 All-Star Game, Texas shortstop Michael Young lifted a sacrifice fly off Philadelphia closer Brad Lidge to score Minnesota's Justin Morneau with the winning run in the bottom of the 15th inning. The American League's 4-3 victory ensured home-field advantage for the AL champion in the World Series.
The win was especially sweet for the Red Sox, since it ensured that the AL will have home-field advantage in the World Series, and because J.D. Drew earned All-Star MVP honors. Boston's right fielder entered the game in the sixth inning, blasted a game-tying two-run home run in the seventh and later singled, swiped a base and walked. Drew's line of 2-for-4, one home run, two RBI, one run and one walk has been commonplace since he started a hot streak that coincided with David Ortiz's trip to the disabled list.
Drew's first-half performance is an instrumental reason why the Red Sox are atop the American League East once again, and his All-Star Game display could help Boston repeat as World Series champions. Home-field advantage will be key for the Red Sox, who are 36-11 at Fenway Park and 21-29 on the road.
Yankees fans had their fun showering Red Sox players and Red Sox manager Terry Francona with boos. They took delight in lambasting Jonathan Papelbon with chants of "Mariano" and "Overrated," and that's fine because this is a rivalry. Of course, the Red Sox and their fans will likely have the last laugh since Boston, and not the Yankees, will be playing deep into October. And if the Sox can somehow defeat the Los Angeles Angels, Tampa Bay Rays or anyone else that stands in their way in the ALDS and ALCS, we will look back to that July evening at Yankee Stadium, when on Yankees soil a member of the Red Sox had a key part of earning home-field advantage.
Fenway Park will be rocking in October. Yankee Stadium will be silent, a shrine to fond memories of yesteryear. Rest peacefully, the spirit of Babe. Rest peacefully.
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