Crap TV historians have long contended an ill-advised song & dance number between Rob Lowe and Snow White at the 1989 Academy Awards was one of the small screen’s most cringe-inducing moments. Until now, the whereabouts of the young lady who danced alongside Mr. Lowe has been the matter of speculation. I am happy to announce that she’s found gainful employment — this evening she was shown (sans close up) before a national television audience playing the part of Babe Ruth at Yankee Stadium’s closing ceremonies.
On a few occasions, ESPN’s cameras caught glimpses of fans as well current & retired players looking befuddled at the Yankees’ attempts to have actors portray the Babe, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle. Clearly these unsophisticated types have no idea how difficult it is to stage a production of this magnitude. I realize George Steinbrenner once had business partners with Broadway connections, but who knew that young Hank was such a huge fan of “Zoo Animals On Wheels”?
They did what they could – unfortunately, jim belushi was unavailable to play the babe because he was at wrigley singing during the 7th inning stretch. If piniella wants to lower wrigley’s wild enthusiasm levels for the post-season, mission accomplished.
beloved emcee john sterling got involved in the make-believe as well when he solemnly announced to the crowd that mickey mantle was the last player in baseball history to win the triple crown. i guess if you keep saying it it’ll eventually become true. sorry, frank. sorry, yaz.
I was bummed when they pulled Jeter out in the 9th and Billy Crystal wasn’t allowed to take his spot. Why didn’t they hire an actor to play Steinbrenner?
I’m sure everyone would love to read some of John Sterling’s closing thoughts (near the end of an especially bizarre, rambling soliloquy that began after he dismissed Suzyn for the night), so here you go:
“Now, I just have… before I give a final thought, and I’m not going to say anything that’s weighty and worthy of your time, but if you want to listen I hope you do. But you know, this is a business. And even though the business on the field wasn’t great this year — it’s the first time in 14 years the Yankees won’t make the playoffs — but the business at the box office is phenomenal. And whether it’s a radio station, a TV station, a newspaper, or any other business… business: that’s what makes America great. You know, Calvin Coolidge said the business of the country is business. And this is the greatest year the Yankees ever had in attendance. They drew 54 thosand six-ten tonight, and, in total this year, 4,287,132. It’s the fourth straight year the Yankees have drawn over 4 million. This is the highest, and that’s never been done in baseball. But then again, the Yankees have always done things that have never been done in baseball. That’s why they’ve won more world championships than any other team in any other sport. And that’s why Yankee Stadium is the most storied, gloried venue — sports venue — in the history of THE WORLD. I guess you’d have to go back to the Roman Coliseum to find its like.”
Will non-Yankee fans be invited to the first day of demolition?
My only visit to the Bronx was the ALCS play-off game betwixt the Yanks and O’s when that kid caught the ball and the Yankees got a home-run. That’s my one moment of Yankee glory.
Ben
I’d just like to thank GC for the YouTube link and add that “Get a Life” is arguably the finest sitcom ever produced and the fact that it’s still not out on DVD, but “Jake and the Fatman” is, is an embarrassment to our culture.