For one last shining moment, The Boss was back in the Bronx - and the fans were cheering him for a final time.
Yankee owner George Steinbrenner, in an emotional ceremony just three days after his death, received a farewell standing ovation from fans of the team he ruled with an iron first for 37 years.
Yankee owner George Steinbrenner, in an emotional ceremony just three days after his death, received a farewell standing ovation from fans of the team he ruled with an iron first for 37 years.
A choked-up Yankee manager Joe Girardi blinked back tears while ace reliever Mariano Rivera touched his eyes and laid two roses - bound with blue and white ribbons - across Yankee Stadium's home plate in honor of The Boss and longtime announcer Bob Sheppard.
"How can you honor him enough?" Derek Jeter asked during a video tribute to Steinbrenner. "I think the way to do it is for us to go out and win another championship."
The video covered Steinbrenner's career, from his battles with Billy Martin to his appearance on "Saturday Night Live."
The pre-game ceremony started with the familiar voice of Bob Sheppard, who died two days before Steinbrenner, offering his traditional greeting via tape:
The pre-game ceremony started with the familiar voice of Bob Sheppard, who died two days before Steinbrenner, offering his traditional greeting via tape:
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to Yankee Stadium."
The ballpark burst into cheers at several points during the event: When Steinbrenner's picture first appeared on the center field video screen; after the video montage; and again as Yankee captain Jeter stepped up to address the crowd.
Sheppard's voice, enough to raise the hair on your neck, introduced Jeter.
Sheppard's voice, enough to raise the hair on your neck, introduced Jeter.
"Please direct your attention now to the microphone behind home plate and welcome No. 2, Derek Jeter."
Jeter, his speech soft-hearted and succinct, stood at a microphone behind home plate - about where Lou Gehrig once stood at the old Stadium.
Jeter, his speech soft-hearted and succinct, stood at a microphone behind home plate - about where Lou Gehrig once stood at the old Stadium.
"We gather here tonight to honor two men who are both shining stars in the Yankee universe," said an emotional Jeter.
"Mr. George Steinbrenner and Mr. Bob Sheppard cared deeply about their responsibilities to this organization and to our fans, and for that will forever be remembered in baseball history and our hearts."
"Mr. George Steinbrenner and Mr. Bob Sheppard cared deeply about their responsibilities to this organization and to our fans, and for that will forever be remembered in baseball history and our hearts."
The future Hall of Famer ended his brief tribute to Steinbrenner and Sheppard by asking for a moment of silence.
The Yankees' park, the home of seven World Champion banners won during the Steinbrenner era, fell dead quiet before the strains of Taps - played by a lone trumpeter - echoed off its famed facade.
The Yankees' park, the home of seven World Champion banners won during the Steinbrenner era, fell dead quiet before the strains of Taps - played by a lone trumpeter - echoed off its famed facade.
Army Sgt. 1st Class Mary Kay Messenger then delivered a powerful National Anthem as the West Point Color Guard presented the colors.
The rest of the Yankee players, their blue hats over their hearts, stood on the field outside their dugout for the tribute.
Fans held signs aloft: "Thanks George" and "37 Years, 11 Pennants, 7 Rings, 1 Boss."
Fans held signs aloft: "Thanks George" and "37 Years, 11 Pennants, 7 Rings, 1 Boss."
Even the infamous Bleacher Creatures joined in the tribute, remaining silent during the first inning rather than greeting the Yankee players with their usual Roll Call.
Flags at the Stadium were flying at half-staff before the first game in nearly four decades where the Yankees took the field without The Boss looking over their shoulders. The Yankees sported patches honoring both Steinbrenner and Sheppard.
Wreaths were placed in front of a Steinbrenner statue inside Gate 2 at the $1.5 billion Stadium, and alongside Sheppard's plaque in Monument Park.
In honor of Sheppard, there were no player introductions during the game.
Wreaths were placed in front of a Steinbrenner statue inside Gate 2 at the $1.5 billion Stadium, and alongside Sheppard's plaque in Monument Park.
In honor of Sheppard, there were no player introductions during the game.
