Los Angeles Angels vs. New York Yankees 4/15/2010

This entry was posted by on Thursday, 15 April, 2010 at

April 15, 2010

Los Angeles Angels vs. New York Yankees

Yankee Stadium – The Bronx, New York

Today, all Major League Baseball players and coaches and umpires pay tribute to Jackie Robinson by wearing number 42 on Jackie Robinson Day.  Number 42 was retired in 1997.  During the 2004 season Commissioner Bud Selig dedicated April 15th as Jackie Robinson Day.  Robinson played his first Major League game as a first baseman for the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field, on April 15, 1947.  “When Jack stepped onto Ebbets Field he set a new course for American history both in the game and in society,” said Rachel Robinson.

The Jackie Robinson Foundation, established in 1973, celebrating its 63rd anniversary, provides four-year college scholarships, graduate school grants, including mentoring and leadership development opportunities to students who will serve as ambassadors of Jackie’s values.  Jackie Robinson’s belief was “A life is not important except in its impact on other lives.” Major League Baseball and the 30 Clubs sponsor more than 60 Jackie Robinson Scholars, to date 1400 scholarships have been provided.

The Robinson family, Jackie’s wife Rachel Robinson joined Major League Baseball in a special Jackie Robinson Day celebration at Yankee Stadium prior to the game vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Could National League player Jackie Robinson have envisioned commemorating his name in this 1.5 billion dollar American League ballpark?

The Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera is the last active player wearing #42.  Although the number was retired throughout the Majors in 1997, players wearing the number at that time could continue using it.

The Yankees took the field for the final game of the three-game series with the Angels.  At the top of the 2nd inning the cheers were loud and clear as the Angels DH Hideki Matsui hit a long home run to centerfield.  Matsui, after playing the Yankee Stadium leftfield for 7 seasons was the 2009 World Series MVP contributing to the Yankees win with 3 home runs and 8 RBIs.  Matsui now plays with an Angels cap but continues a fan favorite in the Bronx.

Bottom of the 2nd inning, a Jackie Robinson namesake, Robinson Cano the Yankees 2nd baseman who wears #24, ties the score with a home run.  Top of the 3rd inning, another fan of #42, Yankees Captain, shortstop Derek Jeter blasts the 2nd home run of the game for the Yankees to take the lead 2-1.

Hideki Matsui walked to start the top of the Angels 4th inning.  The fan cheers were again loud and clear as Matsui was tagged out reaching for home plate by catcher Jorge Posada, to end the inning for the Angels.

Bottom of the 5th inning, Robinson Cano hits his 2nd home run in the game to earn Alex Rodriguez a run from 2nd base, putting the Yankees score 6-1.

Los Angeles scored a run in the 6th inning, but tonight the Angel bats were silenced by Yankees pitchers striking out 11, while allowing just 5 hits.

With the only player on the mound with the right to wear the #42 of Jackie Robinson, the Yankees closer Mariano Rivera faces one batter in the 9th inning to notch his 4th save of the season.

The luck of the draw?  Cuando Mariano Rivera llego a los Yankees en 1995, me confirmo Rivera que Pete Sheehy encargado de entregar los números a los peloteros, le puso el numero 42 en el uniforme de Rivera.  Fue una bendición.

New York Yankees    6

Los Angeles Angels 2

Winning Pitcher:  Phil Hughes (1-0)

Losing Pitcher:  Scott Kazmir (0-1)

Time of Game:  2:43  Attendance:  44,722

Comments are closed.