The Last Game at Yankee Stadium (live blogging)

I decided to do some live blogging for tonight's game, though I will be watching it at home.

I was very impressed with the pre-game ceremonies, with Bob Sheppard and every other player being announced. The people who lined up as the 1923 Opening Day roster was mediocre to me. Bernie Williams, Paul O'Neill, Tino Martinez, Derek Jeter, Willie Randolph, Bobby Murcer's family, Yogi Berra, and Ron Guidry got the loudest ovations from what I heard. Bob Sheppard's voice was just outstounding, hearing him announce the Yankees' lineup from his home was great. Also, having Ruth's daughter throw out the last-first pitch at Yankee Stadium was quite a tribute, but having Jorge Posada catch it gave him a special moment I would think. It's too bad Posada wasn't healthy.

Update, 8:20 pm- Pretty cool ceremony honoring Jeter passing Gehrig on the Yankee Stadium hit list. The crystal bat and ball must be very special to get.

Update, 8:35 pm- One last roll call, gonna be a great one. Last first pitch was a called strike. Last first play was a flyout to Abreu. He approached the warning track on that.

Update, 8:40 pm- Listen to the cowbell by the Bleacher Creatures, it's tradition. It's great.

Update, 8:49 pm- Pettitte's 2000th career K comes at Yankee Stadium in its final game.

Update, 8:50 pm- And Abreu's poor fielding gives Adam Jones a triple. Hard hit ball, but Abreu couldn't play the carom well.

Update, 9:03 pm- Can't do anything about that, Roberts made a nice play to rob Cano of a hit that might have scored A-Rod. To the 3rd inning we go with the O's ahead 1-0.

Update, 9:17 pm- A "Paul O'Neill" chant broke out as he was seen walking.

Update, 9:24 pm- Johnny Damon hit a 3-run homerun over the short porch in right. scoring Matsui and Molina. Last homerun at Yankee Stadium? Maybe.

Update, 9:50 pm- Robinson Cano just walked for the 2nd time in 4 games. Prior to that, he went 98 consecutive at-bats without a walk (26 games).

Update, 9:53 pm- Jose Molina is now the last person to hit a homerun at Yankee Stadium, into Monument Park. That was Molina's 3rd homerun of the season, and it came at a wonderful time for him.

Update, 10:00 pm- We are nearing the point in the game in which the lever will be pulled for the final time. My guess is Bernie, but it's up in the air. Wouldn't be surprised to have it be George Steinbrenner.

Update, 10:04 pm- Well, it looks like they're gonna pull it at the end of the game.

Update, 10:16 pm- Girardi just took out Pettitte in the middle of the 6th inning, mainly to get a final cheer from the fans, but he did allow 7 hits in his 5 innings. He's getting some applause from the crowd. Too bad ESPN focused on Peter Gammons interviewing David Wells and David Cone.

Update, 10:20 pm- Kevin Millar struck out once in the at-bat (whistle sounded) but he only had 2 strikes apparently. The next pitch from Jose Veras was a strike right down the middle for a called strike 3. The whistle sounded again.

Update, 10:29 pm- Girardi is bringing in Phil Coke now. Veras threw 2/3 of an inning and walked 1.

Update, 10:32 pm- And Phil Coke does it again, striking out Brian Roberts. That makes it 11 consecutive scoreless innings for Coke. Remember he was originally in the Nady/Marte deal.

Update, 10:51 pm- Phil Coke did his job and is done. Joba Chamberlain entered the game with a huge ovation.

Update, 10:53 pm- I just read this on Pete Abraham's blog on Lohud that Michael Kay pulled the lever.

Update, 10:54 pm- Jeter made a pretty nice play to get the 2nd out of the 7th inning.

Update, 10:56 pm- And who is singing the final "God Bless America" at Yankee Stadium? Why, none other than Ronan Tynan. I guess it's better than Kate Smith.

Update, 11:10 pm- Wasn't the prettiest way to knock in a run, but Giambi did it. It's a line drive in the box score at least. 6-3 Yankees and the O's keep making pitching changes.

Update, 11:15 pm- Boy, Brett Gardner is fast. Running on the play, he goes from 1st to 3rd on a misplayed ground ball by Brandon Fahey (the ball stayed in the infield by the way).

Update, 11:17 pm- Robinson Cano just recorded a sacrifice fly, scoring Gardner. It is now 7-3 Yankees. If Joba has a successful 8th inning and Girardi brings in Mo for the 9th, it would be a great way to end the history of Yankee Stadium. No save situation by the way.

Update, 11:26 pm- And Mariano warms up for the final time at Yankee Stadium.

Update, 11:31 pm- Now, Mariano Rivera enters the field for the final time at Yankee Stadium to the tune of Metallica's "Enter Sandman." I just wish ESPN didn't cut to a commercial break so we can soak it all in.

Update, 11:38 pm- Girardi pulled Jeter so he could get an enormous ovation from the crowd. A site to be seen. He gave the crowd one last curtain call as he exited the game.

Update, 11:40 pm- And there it is, the final game at Yankee Stadium. It worked out to Girardi's plan, having Pettitte pitch and leave with an ovation and bring in Mariano to close out the game.
Some little tidbits:
Babe Ruth said, "I hit the first homerun at Yankee Stadium. God only knows who will hit the last one."
Well, the last person to hit a homerun at Yankee Stadium was Jose Molina.
The last hit at Yankee Stadium: Jason Giambi
The last run scored at Yankee Stadium: Brett Gardner
The last out recorded at Yankee Stadium: A groundout hit by Brian Roberts. 3-unassisted to defensive replacement 1B Cody Ransom.