Welcome to the my Web site, v. XII. The blog is typically published Monday - Saturday. My primary topics tend to be the Nats, Penn State (esp. football), BeltwayLand, transportation, media, photos and more. The rest of the site gets updated as warranted and is noted on the blog.
Bob Sheppard, voice of Yankee Stadium, retiring - William World News
Friday, November 27, 2009
Bob Sheppard, voice of Yankee Stadium, retiring
Sheppard gives thanks for place in history - yankees.com Bob Sheppard, the voice of Yankee Stadium from 1951 to 2008, has officially retired at age 99. He does not believe that he will be able to regain the stamina to handle duties as public address announcer. In addition to the 3+ hours of baseball, he had to travel from his home on Long Island and it is just too much. He retired as the voice of the New York Giants in 2006 for similar reasons.
Sheppard was in very poor health for the last few years, dropping down to 103 lbs at one point. He is doing better, up to 137 lbs, but his doctor will not clear him for a trip to new Yankee Stadium until he hits 145 lbs.
Sheppard's successor is Paul Olden. A recording of Sheppard's voice will be continue to be heard when Yankees captain Derek Jeter comes up to bat.
Yankees fans act like they've been their before...because they have - William World News
Saturday, November 07, 2009
Yankees fans act like they've been their before...because they have
DANIEL VICTOR - New York Yankees baseball fans seem content to punch the repeat button - Patriot-News Victor, a Phillies fan, State College native and Penn Stater (I've linked to him before) went to game 6 at Yankee Stadium. He compares and contrasts the atmosphere in New York as opposed to Philadelphia in 2008. Yankees fans were happy, but not exuberant, it seems -- well behaved too, aside from some taunting of Phillies fans. The price of seats were sighted as a possible factor, but ultimately, the expectation of a World Series win seems to be the biggest.
Also of note, this excellent tweet from Victor: Yanks fan in bathroom to me: "Boooo!" Me: "Hey, F*** the Mets!" Him: "Yeah!" Then he gives me a bro hug and we move on.
Baseball bigamy: Cheering for the Yankees & Nats means cheering for the best and worst - William World News
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Baseball bigamy: Cheering for the Yankees & Nats means cheering for the best and worst
Let's see my American League team, the New York Yankees, the one that I have deep family ties to, is the best in baseball after winning the World Series again. Meanwhile, the hometown team, that I waited a generation for, the Washington Nationals, is the absolute worst. On the one hand, one team is the most hated (but maybe most loved too) and the other is the most maligned. Head to head, the Nats beat the Yankees 2 out of 3 times in the Bronx, including a shutout. Of course, I was neutral as a Swiss.
27TH HEAVEN: NY tabloids celebrate Yankees win with same cover headline - William World News
27TH HEAVEN: NY tabloids celebrate Yankees win with same cover headline
Not surpsingly, editors at both New York City tabloids were thinking the same thing late last night. While the headline seems a little corny, I'm not complaining about it.
They were thinking the same thing on Long Island too.
UPDATE: ESPN did it too:
Apparently deadpsin noticed this stuff too -- If this anyone other tan Steve Allen, you're stealing my bit.
YANKEES WIN ANOTHER WORLD SERIES - William World News
YANKEES WIN ANOTHER WORLD SERIES
Back on Top, Yankees Add a 27th Title - The Times This morning I'm enjoying the fifth World Series victory for the New York Yankees that I can remember. They won two more when I was really young and 20 before I was born. They beat the Philadelphia Phillies in one fewer games than I predicted too.
I am pleasantly surprised that Andy Pettitte was able to get through last nigth on three days rest. He clinched all three playoff series this year. I don't know how long he is going to play, but this wouldn't be a bad way to go out. It'll be interesting to see if he makes the Hall of Fame. I think his number #46 getting retired is a sure thing. The rest of the "core" -- Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera seem to be hanging around good news for all of them. #2 and #42 are locks to be retired, I don't know about Posada's #20 though.
Hideki Matsui is the MVP with six RBI last night. I wonder if he's played his last game as a Yankee too. Same for Johnny Damon.
Pedro Martinez, well the Yankees are still you daddy. Who knows, he may have been just what the Phillies needed if they had played someone other than the Yankees, but he got PWN'D. Again. Oh and Jimmy Rollins, if your team was really better, you would not have lost in six games. I hold no grudge against the Phillies though.
I think I'll head over to my parents house at lunchtime and dig out my old Yankees jacket. I'm going with the nearly as old batting jersey this morning.
The Phillies lost this time but I would love to see a rematch next year. Credit to the Yankees - they made the clutch plays at the plate and on the mound when counted the most. I really thought the Phillies would stretch this to seven games but it was not meant to be this year.
They will be a tough team to beat again next year though so we'll see if the Phillies can beef up the bench and starting pitching before spring training.
Congrats to the Yankees and their fans on winning the World Series. Enjoy it.
# posted by Kevin McGuire :
Thursday, November 05, 2009 12:24:00 PM
I thought it would go 7 too. I was worried Joe Girardi would overmanage --he did with the rotation and got away with it.
# posted by WFY :
Thursday, November 05, 2009 12:53:00 PM
Post a CommentI thought Northeast Pa. liked NY teams: GO YANKEES on I-81 variable message sign - William World News
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
I thought Northeast Pa. liked NY teams: GO YANKEES on I-81 variable message sign
PennDOT: "Go Yankees" Sign Inappropriate for Interstate - WNEP A variable message sign along Interstate 81 near Pittson, Pa. (not far from the home of the AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees) said "GO YANKEES." The sign, typically used for traffic information, is owned by a contractor, Barletta Construction. I wonder if they are at all connected to Hazleton mayor Lou Barletta. Anyway, this supports my theory that Northeast Pennsylvania skews more towards New York teams like the Yankees and Giants than they do to Philadelphia teams. Of course, during my two years in Northeast Pennsylvania, the Yankees were just starting their most recent dynasty, so that may have made a difference.
World Series: Can my Yankees do to the Phillies what my Nats couldn't? - William World News
Monday, October 26, 2009
World Series: Can my Yankees do to the Phillies what my Nats couldn't?
After Six Years, Center Stage Again - The Times The New York Yankees winning their 40th American League pennant is cause for celebration in and of itself. The 2009 World Series has more going for it than that, though. For the third time, the Yankees have won the pennant when they open/re-open a stadium -- 1923 Yankee Stadium's first year, 1976 renovated Yankee Stadium, and 2009 new Yankee Stadium. The Northeast Corridor chauvinist in me is happy that the Series features two teams from it as the Philadelphia Phillies won the National League pennant setting up a rematch of the 1950 World Series, which was won by the Yankees. For Mets fans, this is probably a nightmare series, but who cares about Mets fans? It is kind of a battle for the state of New Jersey too -- though I doubt the Phillies have many Jersey partisans above 40° N. This years series is all of these things, plus one more. For me it is a chance for baseball redemption, perhaps even revenge.
Long-time readers know that my friend Cliff (aka The Ombudsman) and I have an annual wager on the outcome of the Washington Nationals/Phillies season series -- the Cheesesteak/Half-Smoke Challenge. After I won the inaugural challenge in 2006, Cliff has taken it three years running. This year, he ran away with it, winning the season series 15-3. No, I'm not going to reopen the Challenge, nor would I suggest that his half-smoke be taken away from him in the event of a Yankees victory, but some revenge courtesy of the Yankees, would be a nice condiment on that half-smoke, no? We'll see if being a baseball bigamist pays off.
Yankees: Take that Calvin Griffith! - William World News
Monday, October 12, 2009
Yankees: Take that Calvin Griffith!
Yankees Sweep Twins to Advance to A.L.C.S. - The Times The New York Yankees 4-1 win over the Minnesota Twins means several things. Most importantly, it means the Yankees advance to ALCS to face the The Angels of the Angles of Anaheim. It means the Yankees swept the Twins. It also means that the joke of a baseball venue, the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome is finally removed from service (Star Tribune). Thankfully, it also means that the odd attachment that some Nationals bloggers have developed for the former Washington Senators, moved to the Twin Cities because Calvin Griffith was a racist, will come to an end. I simply did not understand cheering for a team that abanndoned D.C. If you want to cheer against the Yankees, just say it.
Oh and congratulations to the Boston Red Sox on their 8-0 start against the Yankees this season.
Why Washingtonians should not cheer for the Twins - William World News
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Why Washingtonians should not cheer for the Twins
Last night the Minnesota Twins beat the Tigers in 12 innings to claim the AL Central crown and a playoff series with the New York Yankees. I noticed a few Nats fans on Twitter pulling for the Twins to win last night. The Twins had been the original Washington Senators. Do you know why thy moved to Minnesota? They moved because owner Calvin Griffith was a racist. He was a liar too.
I'm rooting for the Yankees in that series of course and I hope they can bring an end to indoor baseball in Minnesota in short order.
It seems like it has been forever since the two New York City tabloids had headlines on the cover that matched. Today, the morning after the Yankees clinched their 14th playoff berth in 15 seasons we see the same headline. Why did the news need to add quotes around "in" though?
Nats beat Yankees again as neutrality comes to an end - William World News
Friday, June 19, 2009
Nats beat Yankees again as neutrality comes to an end
Well that was fun, wasn't it everybody? After three games in three days, I can fold up the Swiss flag and go back to cheering on my Nationals and my Yankees as they march on to 116-46 and 133-29 records, respectively. Now, I don't have to worry about being neutral again until the World Series begins in October!
Yesterday, in a game delayed over 5 hours by rain, Craig Stammen got his first win ever. Washington shut out the Yankees 3-0 with the help of four relievers. Joba Chamberlin got the loss for New York.
Oh and memo to Stan Kasten, this is how you handle a bad weather game (from The Times article linked below):
In the first inning, the Yankees thanked fans for being patient and invited them to relocate to any seats in the main and field levels. The fans scurried to get those seats, with some climbing over railings. The nine rows of premium seats, which include the much-scrutinized $2,500 seats, were off limits.
...the Yankees announced that tickets from Thursday's game could be redeemed for free bleacher, grandstand or terrace tickets to nonpremium games for the rest of this season or 2010. Fans also have the option of redeeming their tickets for half-price tickets to nonsuite seats in 2009 or 2010.
I am positive that neither fanbase or the media will overreact to the last three games, aren't you?
Hey Nats, Yankees - Fight for my love! - William World News
Hey Nats, Yankees - Fight for my love!
We joked about giving Will a middle name that started with "N" instead of "R" Every three years or so, we get an interleague match-up between my two baseball teams, the hometown Washington Nationals and my family's team, the New York Yankees. I waited a couple of decades for D.C. to get a team. The Yankees on the other hand are literally part of the family history with my mother working for them back before I was born and her father being born and raised on 161st Street, Bronx, N.Y. So, I have some baseball bigamy going on and I won't choose. No, that doesn't fit the headline does it? Perhaps it is wishy-washy of me, but not as wishy-washy as someone who wears a Yankees hat and a Nats shirt or vice-versa. I won't be that guy, so for the next three days, I'm Swiss and my beige heart will bleed with neutrality.
Or if you prefer, let this video represent my dilemma:
For the first of my season predictions, I'll go with my AL team the New York Yankees. I think the improved pitching staff and lineup will only yield another five wins, so let's say 92-70. They will make the playoffs this year and do no worse than an ALCS appearance.
I also believe the Yankees will have a better winning percentage without Alex Rodriguez than with him.
Is Yankees p.a. announcer Bob Sheppard retiring? - William World News
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Is Yankees p.a. announcer Bob Sheppard retiring?
Voice of Yankee Stadium May Be Done - The Times Bob Sheppard, voice of Yankee Stadium since 1951 (Joe DiMaggio's final season, Mickey Mantle's first) is retiring according to his agent. However, Shepherd has denied that he is retired in an update to the original story that broke earlier on Wednesday afternoon.
Shepherd will not be at new Yankee Stadium this weekend for exhibitions. Also in the article comes word that Jim Hall, Sheppard's backup, will not take over for Sheppard. That is too bad, Hall would have been a good choice.
Perhaps Yogi Berra is not as transcendent as I thought - William World News
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Perhaps Yogi Berra is not as transcendent as I thought
I do not think I am suffering from the myopia of being the son of a former Yankees employee and grandson of a 161th St., South Bronx native when I say I was shocked to learn a co-worker was completely unfamiliar with Yogi Berra. I find it hard to believe that an American, one from the east coast even, could get through life this long (she is almost exactly two years younger than I) and not know about Yogi, even though she has no interest in sports. I thought Yogi was shared cultural capital in this country.
It feels somewhat uncomfortable, but I agree with Lupica about Torre - William World News
Thursday, February 05, 2009
It feels somewhat uncomfortable, but I agree with Lupica about Torre
MIKE LUPICA - Joe Torre's place in Yankee lore cannot be written off - NY Daily News I am not a Mike Lupica fan, he is an obnoxious and petty blowhard, but I find myself pretty much in agreement with him on Joe Torre. The current Dodgers and former Yankees manager recently wrote a book with Tom Verducci called The Yankee Years. Some feel Torre aired too much dirty laundry in the book, but even if he did, his record in the Bronx speaks for itself. After Torre is done with the Dodgers, there should be a Joe Torre Day at the new Yankee Stadium where the team lets bygones be bygones and retire Torre's #6. If Reggie Jackson and George Steinbrenner can bury the hatchet, so can Hal Steinbrenner and Torre.
While we are on the topic of retiring numbers, a few numbers ought to be retired as well #2 for Derek Jeter, #42 for Mariano Rivera and maybe even #46 for Andy Pettitte.
Lastly, I saw Verducci, a fellow alumnus, speak at Penn State after his first collaboration with Torre, Chasing the Dream in 1997 or so. I wish I had gotten a copy for him to sign.
2009 New Year's sports resolutions - William World News
Thursday, January 01, 2009
2009 New Year's sports resolutions
A New Year means it is time for resolutions -- here are my sports ones:
Go to Penn State for homecoming for the first time in three years
Go to the Blue White Game, maybe even see most of it this year
Attend Opening Day for the Nationals
Attend July 4 Nationals home game
Get my son clothes for my respective teams
Go to a Nats vs. Red Sox game, call anybody with a B on their hat a poseur
Go to a Nats vs. Baltimore game, boo the visitors a lot
The rest are more goals than resolutions:
Organize office field trip to Nats or Caps game
Attend at least one home game of the Nationals, Capitals, Redskins, Wizards and DC United
See a NL team that I never have before (MIL or ARI)
See the Nats in Philly and/or Pittsburgh with friends from the opposition
One thing that may be seen as an omission is a visit to new Yankee Stadium. I don't want to see the old one while it is being dismantled. Maybe in 2010 I'll go.
As for real resolutions, not really my thing and I would not blog them anyway.
So, Mark Teixierais headed to my AL club (ESPN) and not my NL one. This makes sense for me since Teixiera would not make the Nationals champions in the short-term and not even in the long-term by himself. I was not crazy about a contract that big from the Nationals at this point in The Plan (if it still exists).
As a Yankee Teixiera can be an important part of the team without having to carry it. While he said no the Nats, he also spurned to his "hometown" Orioles. Hey, Peter Angelo$ you lose!
The Yankees better win it all this year.
Silver lining for D.C. fans -- good relations (if that is possible) with uber agent Scott Boras. Will that mean a discount with the #1 pick, Steven Strasberg. Of course not, but at least they have an idea of how to deal with the agent.
Now, can we just move on?
NOTA BENE: I have been trying to get this to appear for hours, blogger and my have not been talking to each other for some reason.
The last game should have been scheduled for the day, not at 8:05 p.m. Of course, I'll get to see some of it this way since I am going to the Nats game this afternoon.
The opponent should have been the Red Sox or at least a team that had been around in 1923. Baltimore were not in the majors then.
This game should have been on the last day of the season, not today.
I am in no hurry to see the new Yankee Stadium. I don't want to go up there until after the current one has been completely removed. Seeing half a Yankee Stadium still standing sounds very depressing. -
Agreed on just about every point you make. First, this game should have been on the last day of the season. Was it scheduled this way to make sure it gets more attention versus the final day of the season and possible divisions and playoff spots being determined? Perhaps.
Second, it is a shame Bob wasn't there in person.
Third, to schedule the game at night was a travesty. ESPN games always go way too late, especially AL games. I stayed up to watch it but it was a shame to see such a historic event happen so late.
Fourth, the O's were probably scheduled to help ensure a Yankees victory. It's only fitting to have the Yankees win their last home game there.
# posted by Kevin McGuire :
Monday, September 22, 2008 9:59:00 AM
What is wrong with this picture? - William World News
Friday, August 22, 2008
What is wrong with this picture?
Um, nothing?
THE BRONX -- Forgive me if I find the case for building a new Yankee Stadium less compelling than say, Nationals Park. The building is old and the corridors are steep, but overall it remains a perfectly viable venue. While I have little doubt that it makes more financial sense to build a new facility, I think Yankee Stadium was special enough and the fan base is strong enough that they could have stuck it out in Yankee Stadium -- four million fans a year can't be wrong. It is all a moot point now, and perhaps when I walk into the new Yankee Stadium someday, I will forget about the old one. After all the new Yankee Stadium will look more like the original Yankee Stadium (in some respects) than the current one. Perhaps I am just being sentimental because my grandfather was born and raised on 161st Street, watched the stadium get built, and could hear the crowd from home when Babe Ruth hit a home run. Also, my mom worked there for the Yankees before the renovations. At least they are staying in the Bronx.
THE BRONX -- I can't help be amused to see the superintendent for the subway station next to Yankee Stadium has the same name as the long-time Speaker of the House from Massachusetts.
Or perhaps, I could turn the question around and say, MTA, how could you?
Jim Hall is a worthy successor to Bob Shepherd - William World News
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Jim Hall is a worthy successor to Bob Shepherd
THE BRONX -- Bob Shepherd has been the voice of Yankee Stadium since Joe DiMaggio's final season which was also Mickey Mantle's first. Shepherd who is not that far off from 100 years old, has been unable work this season. One of the substitute announcers is Jim Hall, who has a similar voice to Shepherd. Hall will never be Bob Shepherd, but his voice is quite good and I think he would be an upgrade over most p.a. announcers.
At the Hammond Organ...Ed Alstrom - William World News
Monday, August 18, 2008
At the Hammond Organ...Ed Alstrom
THE BRONX -- The Yankees have had an organ since 1967 when then Yankees president Michael Burke bought a Hammond organ and brought Eddie Layton over from CBS, the Yankees owners back then. Layton retired about five years ago and died shortly thereafter. I am glad that the Yankees kept the tradition going by bringing in a new organ player instead of recordings.
A final visit to Yankee Stadium - William World News
Sunday, August 17, 2008
A final visit to Yankee Stadium
THE BRONX -- Erica and I took her parents to their first game at Yankee Stadium. It was my fourth and final visit, the first being 20 years ago. Like that day, the Yankees played the Royals, but this time they won. It took 13 innings and heroics of CF Brett Gardner to win it after an exciting and frustrating day of Yankees baseball. Thankfully, it was a beautiful late summer day and we were sitting in shade, so the nearly five hour long game just flew by.
The Bronx Bombers stranded about ten runners, including leaving the bases loaded at least twice. Were it not for several Kansas City errors, the Yanks might have been shutout. The day also featured the awkward experience of cheering for a pitcher that lacked the character to even play for Peter Angelo$. To his credit, Sidney Ponson pitched a pretty good game.
We were not able to get in the Monument Park line before the game, so I still have not been there :(. I will have to settle for the new Monument Park across the street someday.
I will have several posts about our trip over the next few days.
It looks as if you were only a few sections over from my girlfriend and I. We sat in Tier 14. Great game! My g/f was pretty bored by the end, but she was a trooper.
# posted by A :
Monday, August 18, 2008 11:05:00 AM
My wife and her mother sat in 14 for a while, then moved over to 5 where we were.
# posted by WFY :
Monday, August 18, 2008 11:22:00 AM
Post a CommentMy latest Yankees cap - William World News
Thursday, August 14, 2008
My latest Yankees cap
With a final trip to the House That Ruth Built planned for Saturday, I just purchased a new Yankees cap. By my count, this is the seventh one I have owned. The first one was from McDonald's, circa 1981. I still have it or the one my folks bought for my brother. The second one was also an adjustable one that I wore for a while in high school -- it is almost certainly lost to time. Later on, I got serious and bought a fitted wool one, back in the days when they had green underbills and no MLB logo. I wore that one out and replaced it with a couple of others over the years. I probably bought this new one's predecessor sometime earlier in the decade at the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, but it seems to have shrunk (or my head got bigger) so I went out and bought this new one. Since the new material that they started making the hats with a couple of yers ago is much more durable and breathes better, this is probably the last Yankees cap I will buy for a long time.
In case you were wondering, I have four Nats hats -- three fitted, and one adjustable; the adjustable one was given out at a game. My original hat, a wool blue one, shrank over the years, and has gotten quite dirty. The other two fitted caps are the new material, one home and one away (my primary).
# posted by WFY :
Thursday, August 14, 2008 3:06:00 PM
What are you doing? You sound like you're apologizing for being a Yankees' fan, as if you can't help it. Has Jody told you that he's happy the Nats won, but stop jumping on the couch?
# posted by Brad Stratton :
Saturday, August 16, 2008 3:15:00 AM
I'm establishing my impeccable credentials as a Yankees fan, but admittedly, I neglected to include Jody scolding us. That was pretty sweet.
# posted by WFY :
Saturday, August 16, 2008 5:01:00 AM
Oh and one thing I was looking forward to doing today was updating the Yankees Fans widget, but it is still stuck on last night's game. Facebook, you have let me down.
# posted by WFY :
Saturday, August 16, 2008 5:05:00 AM
I believe the conversation went like this.. (me) "Quit jumping on the couch" (you) "but the Nats just won" (me) I'm really happy that the Nats won but quit jumping on the couch"
Are you going to go on the tour? (Monument Park, press box, etc) Enjoy the game. Nathans Hot Dogs are excellent. I have already warned you about the use of Hunts Ketchup there--if you see Hank, please ask him to switch to Heinz in the new Stadium.
Also, take a few minutes to walk around the new ballpark. It has the look of being impressive, at least from the outside.
# posted by The Maryland Bureau Chief :
Wednesday, August 13, 2008 8:24:00 AM
There are no tours that day, but a visit to Monument Park is planned. Thanks again for the warning about the ketchup too, though I have never been a big fan of Nathan's -- I'm a Sabrett man.
# posted by WFY :
Wednesday, August 13, 2008 8:43:00 AM
Post a CommentNo Bob Sheppard tonight - William World News
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
No Bob Sheppard tonight
Good Sheppard - The Sun P.A. announcer Bob Sheppard is still not well enough to resume his duties at Yankee Stadium for tonight's All-Star game. He has been the p.a. announcer since Joe DiMaggio was playing center and Mickey Mantle was playing right in 1951. I am hopeful he can resume his duties in time for my trip to the Stadium.
...that I went to my first baseball game at Yankee Stadium. Tonight of course is the final All-Star Game there, so just about every sports section in the country has stories about America's greatest stadium. I bet this irritates non-Yankee fans to no end, but I'm not minding it at all. My grandfather was born and raised on 161th Street and mother worked for the Yankees for almost two years.
In addition to 1988, I saw games there in 2000 (I think) and 2003. I plan on going to my final game there a month from tomorrow. Anybody have a pair of tickets for sale?
What kind of tickets did you score? Best I could get was section 14 (upper deck) for 50 bucks a piece. And that was the best by far. Some people were offering bleacher seats for $75 and up on stubhub. Ridiculous.
# posted by A :
Tuesday, July 22, 2008 12:50:00 PM
There was not much other production in the game - Giambi, on the same day the Yanks gave away 20,000 fake mustaches in his honor, singled in a run in the first, and Tampa's Carlos Peņa led off the sixth with a homer, his 14th, off Ponson.
I think my friend Brad was there too. Did you get a mustache Brad?
New York Yankees, Yankee Stadium, Bob Shepherd
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