9-21-08 LAST GAME AT YANKEE STADIUM

YANKEE STADIUM 1922

YANKEE STADIUM 2008 NEW YORK EMBLEMS

America's most famous field had their final game Sunday September 21,2008. The Yankees against The Baltimore Orioles. The Orioles won 7-3. Yankee Stadium was known as "The House That Ruth Built."

Yankee Stadium was the largest ball park in the US. It was built in 1922. It cost 3 million Dollars and could seat 75,00 people.

February 6,1895, George Herman Ruth was born in Baltimore, Maryland. In 1914 The Orioles signed him to his first baseball contract. He was the teams youngest member and they nicknamed him "BABE".

BABE RUTHApril 18, 1923 played his first game with the New York Yankees. He hit his first ever home run in that stadium. He was also known as "The Sultan Of Swat", The Home Run King" and Herman The Great." Ruth pitched for the Boston Red Socks and when he was drafted to the Yankees he became an outfielder and hit many home runs. He retired in May of 1935. He was part of the first class to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. He made his final appearance at Yankee Stadium, celebrating the 25th anniversary of "The House that Ruth Built." His number was retired, and April 27 th was declared "Babe Ruth Day." August 16, 1948, Ruth passed away at the age of 53. He had cancer.

You may wonder why I'm interested in Baseball. I don't really know except that my husband John Allan Peters came from a family of baseball "nuts." Babe Ruth's number is 3, John's father's number (Eldred Hardy Peters) was 3, John's number is 3 and even our little truck is "Salty3". I think somewhere in our history of sports all of our children have worn the number 3 and I feel it is our lucky number. I remember the first pro baseball game I saw. It was in Idaho Falls, Idaho and we were with John's father. He taught me at a game you "eat, hot dogs, peanuts and pop corn." John has a baseball book that his grandfather started and I added to it when John was on his mission.

There are a few players that I know and have learned what great men they were and how their lives have touched many lives. One such player is: Lou Gehrig

HENRY LOUIS (LOU) GEHRIG

Henry Louis Gehrig was born June 6,1903 in New York, New York. His parents were of German descent. His nick name was "The Iron Horse." He was a first baseman and wore the number "4". He signed with the Yankees June 3, 1932. He received a bonus of $1,500. He was the first American League player to hit 4 home runs in one game. He won many awards. 1934, he won the Triple Crown award. (Most RBI's, most home runs and the highest batting average in one season.) He was an All Star in 1933, 34, and 35. In 1936 he won the MVP award. (Most Improved Player) Once again an All Star, 37 ,38, and 39.

June 19,1939 he was diagnosed with a rare degenerative disease, ALS.

A-myo-tropic comes from The Greek language; now called Lou Gehrig disease.

"A" ------- no or negative without
"myo"-----for muscle

"tropic"----for nourishment when a muscle has no muscle , it "atrophies" or wastes away.

"lateral"---identifies the area where the spinal cord and nerve cells are located
(of the spinal cord)
"sclerosis"----as motor neurons degenerates, they begin to harden or become smaller.

May 2, 1938 he took himself out of the game; ending a streak of 2,130 times at bat. He felt like he was no longer valuable to the team.

July 4,1934 New York sportswriter Paul Gallico suggested that date be recognized as a day to honor Gehrig. 60,000+ fans attended along with the 1927 and 1939 Yankee players. Many tributes were paid to him.

"He was the most talented and phenomenal baseball player of the year. He was kind, had a winning attitude, a square honest guy, tall, and strong, "A Gibraltar in cleats," his character was somewhere between average or myth. He was a dedicated athlete, a caring son, a good husband,and a real "American Hero."

Stanly Frank said that he was the most valuable player the Yankees ever had because he was the prime source of their greatest asset-an implicit confidence in themselves and every man on the club."

On that day, July 4th, Gehrig gave his farewell speech. "Fans, for the past two weeks you have been reading about the bad break I got. Yet today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth. I have been in ballparks for seventeen years and have never received anything but kindness and encouragement from you fans. When everybody down to the ground keepers come down and those boys in white coats bring you trophies, that is something. When you have a wonderful mother-in-law that takes your side when you squabble with their daughter, that is something. When your father and mother work so you can have a education and build your body -that is a blessing. When you have a wife who has been a tower of strength and shown more courage than you dreamed existed-that's the finest I know. So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break but I have an awful lot to live for.

" He was inducted into the Baseball Hall Of Fame, December 1939.

"The Iron Horse," Lou Gehrig passed away June 2, 1941. He was 37. In 1989 a postal stamp was issued in his honor. Sam Jones said,"Lou was the kind of boy that if you had a son, he is the kind of person you'd like your son to be."

There were many players mentioned before , during and after the final game. Some I remembered , some I didn't.

WHITEY FORD

Edward Charles "Whitey " Ford was born October 21, 1926. He is a former Major League Baseball picture who spent his entire 18 years with the New York Yankees. He was signed as an amateur free agent in 1947. He was given the name "Whitey" because of his exceptionally blond hair. As a "Rookie" he wore #19. July 1, 1959 he began his Major League Baseball career and won his first 9 decisions before losing a game in relief. He was voted the AL (American League) rookie of the year by the Sporting News. In 1951 and 1952 he served in the Army. When he came home he rejoined the Yankees and was issued the number "16". He became picture #1 for the Yankees and was known as "Chairman of the Board," because he remained so calm and was in command during high pressure situation. He was also known as "Slick" for his craftiness on the mound. His fast ball wasn't that fast but he could throw several other pitches that gave him pinpoint control. He was left handed. He won 236 games and lost 106. He had 1,956 strikeouts. His ERA (Earned run average) was--2.75. He was selected as an All-Star 8 times; 1954, 55, 56,58 ,59 ,60, 61, and 1964. He was in 6 World Series Championships; 1950, 53 ,56 , n61, and 1962. In 1961, he received the Cy Young Award and was also selected as the World Series MVP, 3 times ALT SN Pitcher of the Year, 1955, 61, 1963. In 1961, he was presented with the Babe Ruth Award. Ford ended his career because of poor health. August 1966, he underwent surgery for a circulatory problem with his throwing arm. May 1967, he lasted just one inning on the mound and announced his retirement at the end of the month. He was 40 years old. After Ford retired he admitted to occasionally cheating by doctoring baseballs in various ways. His final game was May 21, 1967. In 1974 he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame and his number 16 was retired. Ford was ranked number 52 on The Sporting News List of Baseball's Greatest Players and nominated for The Major League Baseball All-Century Team.
In 2008 Whitey Ford threw the first pitch at the 2008 Major League Baseball All-Star League.

YOGI BERRA

Lawrence Peter Berra (The Little Squat Man") or Yogi Berra as we know him, was born Tuesday, May 12,1925 in St. Louis, MO USA. He was 21 when he played his first game for the New York Yankees. On September 22, 1946 and wore the #8. He was a catcher. "He was quick as a cat and had the fastest bat I ever saw," said Casey Stengel an Hector Lopez.
The cartoon "Yogi Bear" was named after him. He served in the Navy during World War 11. He played baseball 19 years and received much recognition. Between 1948 and 1962 he was an American All-Star 15 times. MVP 3 times, 1951, 54, and 1955. (Most Valuable Player) His offensive numbers are good but the combination of excellence and great defense is what makes him legendary. Yogi had 100 RBI'S (Runs batted in). In 1950 he scored 100 runs. He won 10 world series when he was with the Yankees. He played his final games May 9, 1965. He was a player/coach in 1963. 1948 his picture appeared on a baseball card. In 1995 his photo was on a 1995 Stoffers (#1) box. In 1972 he was inducted into the BASEBALL OF FAME.

JOE DiMAGGIO

Guiseppe"Joseph "Paolo" Paul DiMaggio ,Jr and was born 21 November, 1914 in Martinez, CA He was named after his father, Joseph and Paul for his father's favorite Saint. November, 1934 was sold to the Yankees for $2500.00 and 5 players. His knee injury forced him to play with the Seals for one final year. Joe made his baseball debut May 3, 1936. He batted before Lou Gehrig. Joe DiMaggio is "the only athlete in North America pro sports history to be on four World Series Championship" in his first 4 seasons. He was given he nickname "The Yankee Clipper " because of his gracefulness of his play on the field." He was a picture player. He was the greatest hero of the radio era. He retired before television was a fixture in the American home. He led the Yankees to 9 titles in 13 years. His # was 5. He played 13 years before retiring in 1951. He was married twice and they both ended in divorce. His second wife was Marilyn Monroe, a sex symbol whose career was just starting when they married. Joe was retired and ready to retire so things didn't work out. Joe never quit loving her. He was inducted into the National League of Baseball in Cooperstown, NY 1955. His cult of personality that grew with the 1968 Simon and Garfunkel song, "Mrs. Robinson". He loved little children and did many great things to improve their lives. His last public appearance was September 27, 1998. He died March 8, 1999 of lung cancer. A long and painful death. He never invited any Yankee players to his funeral. His head stone has these words: Grace Dignity and Elegance Personality.

MICKEY MANTEL

Mickey Charles Mantel was born October 20, 1931 in Spavinaw, Oklahoma. His father wanted him to become a professional baseball player so he named him after a catcher, Mickey Cochrane, a catcher with the Philadelphia Athletics. Mickey's father and grandfather took turns pitching him tennis ball after they got off work. He batted right handed from his father and left handed from his grandfather. He played center field and the last two years of his career he played first base.
In 1946 Mickey was kicked in the shins and got a bone infection; "osteomyelitis", a wonder drug called Penicillin saved his leg but the leg continued to plague him the rest of his career.
He graduated in the spring of 1949, he signed with the Yankees for $140.00 a month and a bonus of $1,150. He played in the minors for a while and was shortstop, his first # was 12. In 1951 he moved to the Majors, April 17, 1951. His # was 6 but that proved not to be good for him and he returned to the minors and then brought back to the majors and #7 became his # until he retired. He played with many injuries but was still clocked at 3.1 seconds from home plate to first base. He was known as "The commerce-comet" because of his blinding speed. That records still stands. His home run blast of 565' stands today as the longest home run in the history of baseball.
In 1956 Mickey was the hero in the World Series game where Don Larsen pitched his historic perfect game. That year he also won the Triple Crown Award, male athletic of the year award and player of the year. MVP (Most Improved Player) 1957-1962 and the Golden Glove Award. Mickey hit the first indoor home run in baseball history at the Astrodome. It was a pr-season exhibition in 1962.He played in 12 World Series with the Yankees during his 18 years with the club. As a first baseman Mickey participated in a triple play in his final season, 1968. The Yankees have not performed once since, covering 37 seasons. September 28,1968 his final time at bat, he broke his bat and popped out to Rico Petrocelli in Fenway Park. He was inducted into the National Hall of Fame August 12, 1974. He was known as "The greatest switch hitter of all time."

This is where a journal is so important and we are relying on memory. My grandma, Lillian Rebbecca Elmer Lewellen Hancock came to CA for a visit. While she was there she was honored as the oldest grandmother visiting in the ward. (It was Mother's Day ) and we were living in Buena Park. Our children wanted to take her to Angel Stadium.. When we ask her if she wanted to go, who are the Angels playing and we told her The New York Yankees. She was so excited, she ask "Is that who Mickey Mantel plays for", we told her yes and she was so excited. We went to the game and we saw Mickey swing the bat many times. We thought she was getting tired after the 7th inning stretch and wanted to know if she wanted to go home. The game isn't over is it and we said no, and she said no, if it is not over. The Angels won and the Yankees lost, we were happy she was sad. Later on that week we spent the day at Disneyland. I'm sure we wore her out. She was a real trooper and she was in her late 70's I think . When she got home and the family ask" what was the most fun for her she replied,"seeing the Great Mickey Mantel play baseball at Angel Stadium and then my trip to Disneyland. His baseball cards are the most sought after and very valuable if you have certain dates on them. A postage stamp was issued with his photo on in 2006.

Mickey Mantel died of liver cancer August 13, 1955.

The Cathedral of Baseball,
The House that Ruth Built, The Stadium
and The Voice of Yankee Stadium- Bob Sheppard.
Gehrig, DiMaggio, Mantle, Yogi, Jackson,
Mo, Jeter, Jorge and A-Rod. Grandpa, Mom, Dad, Sis
the greenest grass, the bluest sky,
the 4 train, the ghosts,s the roar and the goose bumps.
Home of the greatest franchise
in the history of sports...
26 and counting.

Yankee Stadium
Forever

DON LARSEN

9-21-08 was very emotional for me and when Don Larsen walked out to the pitchers mound,
reached down and scooped a cup of that sacred Yankee soil I realized I was seeing history of baseball that I would never see again and I am thankful for John and his parents teaching and showing me there are great things besides "Life on the Farm", that I truly love and miss.

Green Tomato Bread and Jam

Friday, August 29, 2008, John and I traveled to Payson, UT for his 55th Class Reunion. We stayed with my sister Janice Henline Lazenby. She had been busy canning and asked us to try some bread and jam. She wouldn't tell us what it was until we had tried it. It was delicious and was made from Green Tomatoes. What a shock! She had gotten the recipe from her daughter- in- law Maxine's sister in Roosevelt UT. We enjoyed it so much. I was able to get the recipe and have spent the past week making several batches of both the jam and bread.

Green Tomato Bread

One cup of oil

3 eggs beaten

2 cups of sugar

2 tea spoon vanilla

2 cups ground green mushy tomatoes (food processor)

3 cups flour

1 tea spoon soda

1 tea spoon salt

1/4 tea spoon cloves

1/2 tea spoon baking powder

2 1/2 tea spoon Cinnamon

1/4 tea spoon nutmeg

1 grated apple

Mix all together

Grease and flour pans (well)

Put in pans 1/2 full

Bake 1 hour 325* Check with toothpicks

May use 3/4 cups of chocolate chips or nuts or both if desired

Green Tomato Jam

5 cups ground green tomatoes

5 cups sugar

1/2 cup lemon juice

1 pkg pectin

Bring tot a boil. Cook 2 minutes, stir a little so it doesn't scorch

Add:

1 large raspberry jello, blend in

Turn off stove and let stand 5 minutes

Stir a little and fill jars.

Makes about 10 1/2 pints

Seal and set all night and store the next morning

Thank you Jan and Maxine for sharing. I haven't canned in a long time and it was fun. Plus, the house really smelled good!

Paysons City Concerts 1902

We have been going to Payson, Utah for the band concerts as long as I can remember. Long before we moved to Payson, we went with Grandma Hancock and Grandma Clayson. I found out that John's grandpa John William Clayson played in the band in 1923. as youth we didn't listen to the music to much. We rolled down the grassy hill and played "hide and seek" with our cousins and friends. As we got older we use to walk around the band stand ad find boys to talk to. I don't remember the carnival running on Sunday like it does now. We never rode any rides, that was saved for Monday after the parade. After we were married and moved away we still came home for "onion Days",as it was known because of the onions they grew. Now it is "Payson Homecoming."

Many of our friends come to hear the music and see old friends. Kay Mendenhall, a classmate of John's is still playing in the band. He lives in Springville, Utah.

John's 55 Class Reunion was Saturday August 30th. The weather was great. We were looking forward to the band concert Sunday evening and hopefully meeting up with John's Aunt and Uncle,Emogene and Wayne Clayson. It was dark and cold and after playing a medley from Les Mis they introduced the Homecoming Court and the rain came. It was like a zipper had opened up. We went tot Janice's (Henline ,Lazenby's) where we were staying and visited. The next morning the weather looked good and we persuaded Janice to go with us to the parade. We had great seats. We met John's brother Gordon at the park. He had a booth representing his college, Provo College. He was passing out balloons and pop corn. Also tee shirts to those interested in going to the college. We found Uncle Wayne and Aunt Emogene . They had celebrated their anniversary the day before. I can't remember how many, but it was over 65. It takes about 1/2 hour for the parade to reach the park. All at once the sky got dark, it was cold and once again the rains came. We left and were so wet and cold. We changed to Jan's and got ready to go back for the final band concert, we wanted to hear my cousin Jim Box give a patriotic talk before the band concert started. He retired this year. He had worked in the police force for years and then was judge. A great guy.

Needles to say, this years Homecoming was ruined for everyone. The booths, the carnival, the reunions in the park and visiting with friends and families. We are glad the 55Th Class Reunion was a success.

7 Darling Great Grand children

Tessa Thornbrue, Grandma Pearl holding Mark Hopkin, Grandpa John holding Grace Thornbrue and Bryson Guthrie, Marie Thornbrue next to Grandpa behind Marie is Jane Hopkin and last is Ben Thornbrue.
This was taken at Highlands Ranch CO the 3rd of July. We had 7 of our 9 great grandchildren there. Markr and Bryson were blessed Sunday, July 6th. Their Grandma Janes's 49th birthday. :) We were missing Ashley and Reanna Lingle.

Big River

We went to see Tuachan's play Big River. It is the story of Huck Finn. We went with Luana and Grace. I loved it! I never realized the heartache that the black people went through. Jim, the run away slave, was just awesome! His voice was outstanding! Jan Broberg was in it- her parents live here in Padre Lakes. Aunt Em was delightful! The water scenes were spectacular! We liked it so much we planned to go again, but I decided to give my ticket to Jonah and he went with his mom, sister and sister's friend. The liked it too! If you get the chance, you need to go see it!

John's 55th Class Reunion August 30, 2008

SS Paysonian The New luxury Cruise Ship
We met for the social hour, enjoyed horsd'oeuvre and visiting with old and new friends.
They served the menu, starting with a green salad, bread and rolls.
The baked chicken supreme was delicious with twice baked potatoes
Green Beans w/ bacon and onions were an added attraction. The meal was topped off with Creamy homemade cheesecake and a topping of Carmel or blueberry.
There were pictures of the classmates on top of cruise personal. Lots of laughs. Oh to have those bodies back.
The highlight for me was the way they remembered their classmates that were deceased. To the song, You raise Me Up, they had American Flags flying with pictures of each deceased classmates and their names. I do not think there was a dry eye in the house. It was beautiful and thanks to Phil Jones and Robert Huber.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sept.27 Softball Party 6:00p.m.
October 4,2008 Mayor's Walk early!!!!
October 6-18 Huntsman World Senior Games
John's first two games Saltys Dogs
Mon.Oct 6- 9:45 a.m. Bloomington 2
6- 12:15p.m. Bloomington
Saltys Dogs :Tues.Oct. 7 - 12:15 Bloomington 1
John and Pearl Bowls: Monday October 13
Sunday October 19-22 Phoenix AZ Senior Softball Tournament
Net's Training in Pvo: October 27-30 (We get to help with children)