Yankees extend invitation to Alex Rodriguez for Old-Timers’ Day debut
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Follow UsEight years after hanging up his cleats, Alex Rodriguez is poised to make his inaugural appearance at the Yankees’ Old-Timers’ Day, a highlight of the celebration marking the 15th anniversary of the team’s 2009 World Series championship triumph.
Among the key figures from the championship squad expected to attend are Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, and Hideki Matsui, the World Series MVP that year. Joining them as a first-time Old-Timer will be CC Sabathia.
Rodriguez’s final game as a Yankee coincided with Aaron Judge‘s major league debut exactly eight years before this announcement. Despite a rocky period in 2014, when Rodriguez served a year-long suspension for performance-enhancing drug use and had a contentious relationship with the team, including a near-lawsuit against the Yankees’ physician, he has since mended ties with the organization. By 2017, Rodriguez had become a special advisor to Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner and re-established his standing within Major League Baseball, continuing his prominent role as a baseball analyst for FOX.
The Old-Timers’ Day event will also feature several other members of the 2009 title-winning team, including Nick Swisher, Johnny Damon, AJ Burnett, and former manager Joe Girardi, who will engage in a Q&A session with Yankees radio broadcaster Suzyn Waldman.
Additionally, nine Monument Park inductees and seven Yankees whose numbers have been retired will be present, including Bernie Williams, Paul O’Neill, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada, and Joe Torre. However, unlike previous years, there will be no Old-Timers’ game or batting practice.
Interestingly, Rodriguez’s number 13 has not been retired by the Yankees and is currently worn by Jazz Chisholm Jr., a player who has openly admired both Jeter and Rodriguez, along with the 2009 championship team.
The Old-Timers’ Day festivities are set to take place before the Yankees’ afternoon game against the Colorado Rockies, with fans encouraged to be in their seats by noon for the introductions and ceremonies.
Here is the full list of this year’s Old-Timers’ Day invitees, according to the Yankees:
| Aaron Boone | Bucky Dent | *Eric Hinske | Hideki Matsui |
| *A.J. Burnett | Brian Doyle | Derek Jeter | *José Molina |
| *Francisco Cervelli | John Flaherty | Graeme Lloyd | Gene Monahan |
| *Phil Coke | Joe Girardi | *Damaso Marte | Diana Munson (widow of Thurman Munson) |
| David Cone | Jerry Hairston Jr. | Jill Martin (widow of Billy Martin) | Kay Murcer (widow of Bobby Murcer) |
| Johnny Damon | Orlando “El Duque” Hernández | Tino Martinez | Jeff Nelson |
| Paul O’Neill | Lou Piniella | Mariano Rivera (HOF) | Nick Swisher |
| Gil Patterson | Jorge Posada | *Alex Rodriguez | Joe Torre (HOF) |
| Andy Pettitte | Willie Randolph | *CC Sabathia | Roy White |
| Bernie Williams (asterisk indicates first-time participant) | |||
Yankees’ Golden Era Stars to Reunite
The New York Yankees will celebrate the 15th anniversary of their most recent World Series title with their annual Old-Timers’ Day, featuring a host of players from the 2009 championship team.
Who are to attend Yankees’ Old-Timers Day 2024?
This year’s event, set for Saturday, August 24, at Yankee Stadium, will bring together an impressive roster of former stars, including Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Mariano Rivera, CC Sabathia, Hideki Matsui, Jorge Posada, Andy Pettitte, and Johnny Damon, among others.
As announced by the team, fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 12 p.m. ET for the Old-Timers’ introductions, with Michael Kay providing the narration. After the introductions, a live Q&A session will be conducted by Suzyn Waldman and Joe Girardi, featuring some of the attending players. The YES Network will broadcast the Old-Timers’ Day ceremonies, followed by the Yankees’ game against the Colorado Rockies, which is scheduled to start at 2:05 p.m.
Notably, Rodriguez and Sabathia will be making their first appearances at this celebrated event. The day will also honor other key figures from Yankees history, including managers and players like Joe Torre, Lou Piniella, Bernie Williams, Paul O’Neill, Tino Martinez, Orlando “El Duque” Hernández, David Cone, and current manager Aaron Boone.
This year’s Old-Timers’ Day marks the 76th such event in the franchise’s history. The Yankees remain the only Major League Baseball team to consistently host an Old-Timers’ Day, a tradition that, while rooted in baseball’s past, has largely disappeared from other teams’ schedules.
The enduring popularity of Old-Timers’ Day in New York reflects its deep significance for both fans and former players. Mariano Rivera, recalling his participation in the 2019 event, highlighted the unique value of stepping back onto the field for such a cherished occasion.
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- Categories: 2009 Yankees, alex rodriguez, andy pettitte, bernie williams, cc sabathia, derek jeter, hideki matsui, Joe Torre, jorge posada, Mariano Rivera, Old-Timers' Day 2024, paul o'neill
- Tags: 2009 Yankees, alex rodriguez, andy pettitte, bernie williams, cc sabathia, derek jeter, hideki matsui, Joe Torre, jorge posada, Mariano Rivera, Old-Timers' Day 2024, paul o'neill
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