Yankee Stadium hosts nearly 300 American Legion Family members to honor 100 years of American Legion Baseball.
Nearly 300 American Legion Family members, baseball players and guests were able to walk along the same field that at various times hosted the likes of Aaron Judge, Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and other New York Yankees legends during a pre-game parade in the Bronx on Sept. 6.
“We’re getting the New York Yankees to acknowledge 100 years of American Legion Baseball, one of the great Children and Youth programs of The American Legion,” Past Department of New York Commander Gary Schacher said prior to the team’s Saturday afternoon game with the Toronto Blue Jays. “We’ve got a special deal for our seats. We’re getting a custom-made ball cap with the 100th anniversary logo on the side, and we’re going to be doing a parade on the warning track after batting practice.”
The current version of Yankee Stadium opened in 2009, just one block north of the original “House that Ruth Built.” American Legion Baseball alumni who went on to become Yankees greats include Yogi Berra, Reggie Jackson, Dave Winfield. Joe Torre and CC Sabathia.
“It’s very exciting and once in a lifetime opportunity to come to Yankee Stadium for The American Legion and we’re truly grateful for it,” said Brian Martinez, who drove from Utica, N.Y. with his Legion Baseball teammate John Viola.
The two wore their Utica Blue Sox team jerseys but made clear that when it comes to the majors, their loyalties were to the Yankees.
Viola said that his team is full of Yankees fans, adding, semi-jokingly, “if they’re Red Sox, we kick them out. They’re not allowed!”
Schacher, who now serves as executive assistant to the Department of New York adjutant, is a lifelong Yankees fan and rooted for Mickey Mantle, Bobby Murcer, Thurman Munson and Joe Pepitone while growing up in the suburbs of New York.
“If you’re talking baseball, you are talking the New York Yankees. I mean this is America’s team,” he said.
New York American Legion Baseball Chairman Mike Macchione has more than 55 years of experience combined as a player, coach and chairman of Legion baseball. He said “legacy,” is what distinguishes American Legion Baseball.
“In many ways, the Yankees have benefited from The American Legion because they’ve gotten players in the past and they’ll get players in the future that are American Legion players,” Macchione said. “And one day, they’ll wear pinstripes, and we’ll all be excited for that.”
Schacher voiced a pre-game request for the Yankees. “Go Yankees, we need to pull into first place. We need to win the next two games!” The team complied, with the Yankees winning 3-1 Saturday, and followed it with a 4-3 win over Toronto on Sunday.
- Baseball