Rick, were you saying Goose is scheduled to get a Bronze Plaque...? And Tino too...? I don't get it, I'd not give Tino his plaque, I doubt I'd give Goose one either....I know Goose is a definite NO to many, a borderline to several, and a Yes, to a few..... Yet, as great as he was to watch in person, the blast POP of the Catcher's mitt, his Chin Music, his big wind up, man I loved watching Goose come in to close a game, in the 8th.... But, I don't think I'd give him his plaque, that would be setting a precedent for to many others, who (either) didn't have long enough careers in NY, or were not Career Pinstriper's. Goose didn't begin or end his career in NY, neither did Reggie....who's next in line according to The Kids...? Scott Brosius, Aaron Boone...? Has O'Neill not got his plaque yet..? Now that's one man, regardless who deserves one IMHO...! Just my 2 cents, and that won't buy one a tootsie roll, these days...!
Its gotten WAY out of hand. Putting plaque's out there for Gossage & Tino is as ridiculous to me as retiring Reggie's # How about Nettles, Randolph, Chamblis? Its just really gotten stupid. I use to think of monument park as a sacred ground for super Yankees. Now its just an open door.
Yep, its becoming no longer a true Monument Park....but a Zooo specatcle.... I don't get Nettles and Randolph not being in the Park.... Heck, where's the plaques for Tom Tresh, Steve Sax, et al... ......
Monument Park should be for the legends. For those who excelled but were not in the "legend" group there could be an area inside the stadium where a "recognition of excellence" plaque could be placed. And I would also believe that O'Neil should be out there. O'Neil was a hustling dude, when he played for the Yankees you knew if Jeter didn't get it done O'Neil would. Paulie would have fit right in with those '76 through '78 Yankees Teams.
Michael I agree, monument park was once a place for the ELITE. the LEGENDS of the Yankees. That took a hit the day they put Reggie out there. And now they want to add a few others who only spent a few years with the team in the middle of there careers. It's turned into a joke. For guys like Goose, Tino, Reggie, even Nettles Randolph & Chamblis they could have a section of plaques called something like "Memorable contributors" and leave it at that. But NOT in monument park. JMO.
Monument park is NOT the hall of fame.... IMO, Monument Park is more of a a place for both fan favorites & legends.... So again, I have no issues with Goose or Tino if Reggie is in...
I get what you're saying Steve but to an old fart like me Monument part was a place strictly for what was known as Yankee legends, immortals. Today it seems like if you have a few good years you belong next to names like Ruth, Gehrig, Berra, DiMaggio, Mantle etc. and in my book & others of my generation.........................you don't.
I agree with you on this one....MP should be perhaps NOW broken into 2 Sections, Epic Immortal Yanks, and Notable Contributors...!
I agree that Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, Mantle, Mariano, Berra, Dickey, Mel Ott, Bob Sheppard, Stengle, & McCarthy should all be there & Billy Martin, Reggie, Guidry, Goose, Tino, & Bernie do not belong in a legends only version of Monument Park, but where do you draw the line? Mattingly? Munson? Rickey Henderson? Winfield? As is the case for the HOF, where does the line of demarcation belong? Make it legends & fan favorites & it's easier to decide...
IMO here's the way I see it, Currently there are only 5 MONUMENTS. Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, Mantle & Huggins. Eventually I think Jeter should also have one. The rest have PLAQUES, Martin, Berra, Dickey, Maris Rizzuto, Munson, Ford, Mattingly, Howard, Guidry, Jackson, Rivera, Stengal & Sheppard. Now this of course would never be done but.....in MONUMENT PARK there should be the immortals, (Legends). They would be the players that numbers in there Yankee careers that fans could just marvel at. Like Jeter, Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, Mantle, Berra, Dickey, Ford, Howard, Rivera, Huggins, Stengel & yes Torre. Sheppard & Rizzuto should also be there for there 50+ years with the organization. The following players NOTABLE CONTRIBUTORS IN YANKEE HISTORY, Martin, Maris, Mattingly, Guidry, Jackson, Munson, Gossage, Nettles, Posada, Williams, Chambliss, Randolph, O'Neill, Martinez, & Pettitte.
Yep, that's what I'm saying too.... One Section for LEGENDS-"Epic Immortals" Ruth, Gehrig, Dimaggio, Berra, Dickey, Reynolds, Ford, Mick, Mo', Jeter soon.....(all played their entire careers in Pinstripes), yet some greats played for more than the Yanx either prior or post...ie, ala- Allie Reynolds.... A 2nd Section for "Fan Favorites" or "Pinstripe Contributors"..... I don't necessarily agree with all of this article, but its worth reading, on this subject: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/190026-thoughts-on-new-york-yankees-retired-numbers Where does that line get drawn...? I can see Lifetime Yankees as a line, but something tells me, perhaps that may be a bit too much.
Haven't read the article yet (I will).... But I wouldn't draw the line as at lifetime Yankees... Paul O'Neill wasn't a lifetime Yankees player, but was definitely a fan favorite.... Winfield as well... I've no issue with a "Legends" section and a "Other Fan Favorites" section....
I agree, I wouldn't like to see Monument Park limited to Lifer Yanx either, that would be a bit too much.... You hit the nail square on the round head, a "Legends" section and a "Other Fan Favorites" section.... That IMO, would be the perfect way to exhibit MP...!
I DO NOT like the idea of a notable section as I get a slightly derogatory vibe as opposed to other fan favorites... Regarding those who deserve monuments... How come Huggins and not Stengal or McCarthy? Not Berra or Dickey? If Jeter will get one, why not Mariano? I maintain that if Reggie is in, Goose should as well.... I would remove Reggie, Guidry, & Martin if you deny Goose...
You make some good arguments Steve & yeah I think Jeter & Rivera should get monuments 6 & 7. As far as Berra & Dickey, very good careers but IMO don't deserve monuments because I don't think they match up to the current 5 with monuments or the additions of possibly Jeter & Rivera. As far as how come Huggins & not Stengel or McCarthy again excellent question as both Stengel & McCarthy won more WS then Huggins did. Stengel won 7 of 10, McCarthy won 6 of 8 while Huggins won 3 of 6. My only guess is that Huggins won there 1st. Just guessing. And to be clear they're not retiring the numbers of Gossage, or Tino, they're just giving them plaques. And yes if it were up to me, Reggie, Guidry, Martin & Maris wouldn't have had there #s retired, plaques would have been enough. Again, IMO.
Good points.... IMO, I would give Stengel & McCarthy monuments & at least Berra a monument... How many WS rings does he have? Called a perfect game in the WS.... and played a traditionally less prolific position as far as offensive numbers go... Dickey was awesome as well.... I'm torn on Maris....
...gotta agree...IMO, there should NOT be one section for GREAT Yankees and another section for GOOD Yankees.
