Yankees Get It Right - Yogi Berra To Throw Out First Pitch For Opening Of New Yankee Stadium

The Yankees have issued a press release about tomorrow's Opening Day festivities. The obvious headline is that Yogi Berra is throwing out the first pitch. In addition, Kelly Clarkson will be singing the National Anthem.

This is good news for Kelly Clarkson fans, but more importantly, great news for Yankee fans. Earlier today, we suggested that Larsen should throw out the first pitch to Berra. This is nearly as good, and will be a great way to open the new Yankee Stadium.

To all who are lucky enough to be going to the game tomorrow - enjoy it!

Check out the full list of former Yankees that will be in attendance, after the jump.



Alumni Attending Opening Day Ceremonies

• Luis Arroyo
• Jesse Barfield
• Yogi Berra
• Ron Blomberg
• Bobby Brown
• Horace Clarke
• Jerry Coleman
• David Cone
• Chili Davis
• Bucky Dent
• Al Downing
• Dave Eiland
• Ed Figueroa
• John Flaherty
• Whitey Ford
• Joe Girardi
• Rich "Goose" Gossage
• Ken Griffey, Sr.
• Ron Guidry
• Charlie Hayes
• Rickey Henderson
• Reggie Jackson
• Tommy John
• Jim Kaat
• Don Larsen
• Hector Lopez
• Tino Martinez
• Lee Mazzilli
• Gene Michael
• Jeff Nelson
• Graig Nettles
• Paul O'Neill
• Joe Pepitone
• Willie Randolph
• Bobby Richardson
• Mickey Rivers
• Buck Showalter
• Bill "Moose" Skowron
• Luis Sojo
• Mel Stottlemyre
• Ralph Terry
• Bob Turley
• David Wells
• Roy White
• Bernie Williams
• Dave Winfield
Read the full post, after the jump

No time like now to look forward to 2009 - New stadium Opening date: 4/16/09

Some juicy info from AP baseball writer Ronald Blum:

The new Yankee Stadium will open on April 16 with a game against the Cleveland Indians.

Details of next year's openers were disclosed to The Associated Press on Thursday by baseball officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because neither the teams nor the commissioner's office have made any announcements.

Nothing like a two-week road trip to start the season.

And then there is this:

The Yankees may have one or two exhibition games at their new $1.3 billion ballpark before the official opener.

I bet the season ticket holders appreciate being "scooped" on the home opener by having an exhibition there first. Its not unprecedented though, most new Stadiums do this very thing.

Lastly, if the Yankees can come back next year and make the World Series, Captain GIDP will have a chance to defend his "Mr. November" nickname. The season is starting late next year (because of the World Baseball Classic?), so game 7 of the World Series in 2009 is tentatively scheduled for November 5th. That Cubs vs. Yankees series should be a chilly one. Better get your Under Armour ready.

Talk about it in the NYYSI Forums! Read the full post, after the jump