http://sportstwo.com/MLB/Story/MLB/2634255 <span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%">Hall of Famers litter Yankee Stadium field</span> Tuesday, July 15, 2008 10:32 PM By Doug Mittler PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer BRONX, New York (Ticker) - The stadium most steeped in baseball history and tradition brought together a collection of talent like never before. The 79th All-Star Game staged a pregame ceremony that befit the status of Yankee Stadium as close to 50 Hall of Famers gathered with modern-day stars and paid tribute to a building that has played home to 26 World Series champions. Current Yankees stars Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera received thunderous ovations, and receptions almost as warm greeted Hall of Famers Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Reggie Jackson and Rich "Goose" Gossage. The 40-minute ceremony concluded with a rare appearance from Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, who rode in on a golf cart from the outfield and was greeted at the pitcher's mound by the four Yankee Hall of Famers, who jointly threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Yankee Stadium, which originally opened in 1923, will close its doors after this season. Major League Baseball chose the ballpark for this year's All-Star Game, making it the only stadium to host the Midsummer Classic in its final season. Over the public address system, Fox broadcaster Joe Buck called it the "greatest collection of baseball's All-Stars ever assembled on one field." Following the introductions of the reserve players in Tuesday's game, the Hall of Famers made a grand entrance through the left-center field gate and took their place behind their respective positions on the field. When the starters for the contest were introduced, they took their place alongside the Hall of Famers. The pitchers in attendance were Steve Carlton, Dennis Eckersley, Bob Feller, Rollie Fingers, Bob Gibson, Ferguson Jenkins, Juan Marichal, Phil Niekro, Jim Palmer, Gaylord Perry, Robin Roberts, Bruce Sutter, Don Sutton, Gossage and Ford. The Hall of Famers at first base were Orlando Cepeda, Harmon Killebrew, Eddie Murray, Tony Perez and Willie McCovey, while the second basemen were Rod Carew, Bill Mazeroski and Ryne Sandberg. At third base were Brooks Robinson, Mike Schmidt, George Brett and Wade Boggs. Luis Aparicio, Ozzie Smith, Robin Yount, Ernie Banks and Cal Ripken Jr. were the shortstops. The outfielders on the famed field were Lou Brock, Billy Williams, Ralph Kiner, Willie Mays, Tony Gwynn, Al Kaline, Frank Robinson, Dave Winfield, Hank Aaron and Jackson. Managers Earl Weaver, Tommy Lasorda and Dick Williams stood along the baseline while designated hitter Paul Molitor stood alone on the infield. The final position introduced was catcher, where Gary Carter was joined by Berra. The loudest boos in the introductions were not for the National League, but for members of the Boston Red Sox. In somewhat of the surprise, there was no pregame mention of former Yankee Bobby Murcer, who passed away Saturday.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Steve Carlton, Dennis Eckersley, Bob Feller, Rollie Fingers, Bob Gibson, Ferguson Jenkins, Juan Marichal, Phil Niekro, Jim Palmer, Gaylord Perry, Robin Roberts, Bruce Sutter, Don Sutton, Gossage and Ford.</div> I saw all those guys play except Roberts, Ford, and Feller. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>The Hall of Famers at first base were Orlando Cepeda, Harmon Killebrew, Eddie Murray, Tony Perez and Willie McCovey, while the second basemen were Rod Carew, Bill Mazeroski and Ryne Sandberg.</div> Don't remember seeing Mazeroski, but saw the others. McCovey could knock the McCover off the ball. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>At third base were Brooks Robinson, Mike Schmidt, George Brett and Wade Boggs. Luis Aparicio, Ozzie Smith, Robin Yount, Ernie Banks and Cal Ripken Jr. were the shortstops.</div> Saw all those guys play. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>The outfielders on the famed field were Lou Brock, Billy Williams, Ralph Kiner, Willie Mays, Tony Gwynn, Al Kaline, Frank Robinson, Dave Winfield, Hank Aaron and Jackson.</div> Saw all those guys play. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Managers Earl Weaver, Tommy Lasorda and Dick Williams stood along the baseline while designated hitter Paul Molitor stood alone on the infield.</div> Remember those guys as managers <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>The final position introduced was catcher, where Gary Carter was joined by Berra.</div> Didn't see Berra play. What makes me really feel old is that I remember most of those guys as rookies
Thats pretty cool Denny, and to be able to see them after so many years in the all star game all together.
the sight of all those Hall of Famers, standing together, wearing the caps of the teams they once excelled for, just brings to light the realization of the damage this era is doing to the once great game....many of those teams cant afford to keep players of that stature today, and they tend to migrate to the richer teams, as demonstrated by all the Red Sox, Cubs and Yankees in tonights lineup.....Oh, what it must have been like to grow up in Cincinnati and watch the Big Red Machine churn out titles, or to be from Kansas City and watch the Royals erase a 3-0 deficit to defeat the Cardinals for a title....without a reason to think thier team can compete, kids are simply turning to other activities and ignoring baseball, and theres plenty for them to do....the damage is done, and it continues to be done, and eventually it will be obvious to the owners and the players, but Im afraid, by that time, the damage may be irreversible
