Old-Timers’ Day is a cherished tradition that allows fans to celebrate the rich history of the New York Yankees. It is a form of tribute to the players who have contributed to the team’s legacy. The event is characterized by a mix of nostalgia and the chance to see some of the franchise’s most beloved figures back on the field.
The New York Yankees’ annual tradition of Old-Timers’ Day holds a special place in the hearts of fans and players alike. However, in the past few seasons, the game couldn’t take place due to Covid restrictions. Having said that, the club did announce the return of the annual game in 2023. But now, the team has seemingly backtracked.
Yankees Cancel Old-Timers Day Game For This Year, Changes Format
New York Yankees Old-Timers Day remains an event cherished by fans. It’s a day when former players return to the field, reuniting with their teammates and showcasing their enduring connection to the franchise. However, in the past couple of seasons, the game was canceled due to Covid Pandemic. While things were supposedly meant to return back to normal, the club has backtracked from its original plan. As per Yankee insider Bryan Hoch, the Old Timers games for the 2023 season have been called off. Instead, there will be a new question-and-answer roundtable format in which the former Yankees greats will share memories of their days in pinstripes. Prior to this, the club announced the roster for the annual event.
New York Yankees former shortstop legend and Hall of Famer Derek Jeter will be making his first-ever appearance. The shortstop retired as a forever Yankee back in 2014 after serving for 20 long years. Along with Jeter, the batch of 1998 will return to the Bronx. Mariano Rivera, Joe Torre, Andy Pettitte, Willie Randolph, and Hideki Matsui are all inducted into the roster. However, the decision to scrap the game has come as a disappointment to many fans. The whole point of the tradition was to witness the former greats back in action. The absence of an actual game makes the tradition soulless. Nevertheless, the fans can still turn up for the event on September 9 to at least witness the franchise legends together on the same field.
Sean Casey Has Proved To Be Inefficient So Far
In a bid to revive the dead offense, the New York Yankees made a leadership change during the All-Star break. Brian Cashman fired hitting coach Dillon Lawson and replaced him with a candidate with no prior coaching experience, Sean Casey. However, Casey used his major league experience to convince the fans of his competency. But the stats paint a whole different story.
In the first half of the season, the Yankees were hitting at .231/.301/.410 slash line. On the other hand, after Lawson’s abrupt departure, the team has slashed .232/.325/.376. The difference isn’t significant enough to prove that Sean Casey’s arrival made an actual difference. The offense is the same, along with the terrible numbers. It’s tough to believe that Casey would succeed in keeping his job secure for the next season.