|
A yearly tradition
Yankees enjoy their third title parade in four years
Posted: Saturday October 30, 1999 04:27 PM
| |
Memory lane: This was the Yankees' third celebration parade down Broadway in the past four years. AP |
NEW YORK (AP) -- George Steinbrenner hoisted a broom from a parade float. Darryl Strawberry broke down in tears. And millions of fans staged another Broadway revival with a blizzard of confetti.
"This stuff never gets old," New York Yankees manager Joe Torre said at a City Hall rally after the parade Friday. "This one seemed even better. I think you appreciate it more each time you do it."
This was the Yankees' third title -- and third parade -- in the last four years. A half-dozen floats carried the players, eliciting wild screams and chants of "Let's go Yankees!"
On a day that felt more like spring, designated hitter Chili Davis puffed on a victory cigar. Strawberry videotaped the roaring, face-painted crowd and then cried at a City Hall rally presided over by the city's most prominent Yankees fan, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.
Strawberry, who overcame colon cancer and legal problems earlier this season, was overcome with emotion as he acknowledged his manager. Torre embraced him until the outfielder composed himself and said, "Thank you for caring for me, and I love you guys."
World Series MVP Mariano Rivera, the unhittable reliever, had a float all to himself. Yogi Berra, the Hall of Fame catcher, paraded in a vintage car. And Steinbrenner, the Yankees' owner, rode in the top of a double-decker bus, brandishing a broom in tribute to his team's sweep of the Atlanta Braves.
"It's a great feeling to win in front of you fans," said shortstop Derek Jeter, with yet another World Series ring.
At the City Hall ceremony, Yankee Stadium organist Eddie Layton played, and country musician Clint Black performed a song with special lyrics honoring the champions.
Cone, a potential free agent, was serenaded was a chant of "One more year!"
"How about two more years?" Cone asked.
The mayor's administration was less gracious toward Democratic state assembly members who voted to repeal New York's commuter tax -- a move that cost the city an estimated $210 million a year.
Deputy Mayor Joseph Lhota said the invitations were rescinded to send a message: Don't vote against the city's interests. Assemblyman Paul Tonko, a Yankees fan from upstate, said he took away this message: "He puts the rude in Rudy."
But this was not a day for politics.
"We're making this a yearly tradition!" shouted Charlie Hine, a UPS employee from Connecticut who skipped work for the second straight year to cheer his team. "We'll be back next year!"
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
| 
