4/03 in Yankee History

The red-letter day:

2009: Yankee Stadium II opens for business with an exhibition game against the Chicago Cubs.

On other 3rds of April…

2008: Phil Hughes begins what will prove to be a tough year, as he battles Jays right-hander Dustin McGowan to a 2-2 tie through six innings. Hughes strikes out two to close the 4th inning with yet another potential tally standing on third base. Before the game it is announced that Alex Rodriguez has been named the Sporting News Player of the Year, the 9th Yankee so recognized since the honour was first designated in 1936. Bobby Abreu makes up for a poor baserunning play in the 6th (he is gunned down at third on a sac fly that barely scored Derek Jeter) by driving in Melky Cabrera with the eventual winner in the 8th inning. Paul O’Neill advances the games left counter from 79 to 78 in the 5th.

http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2008/B04030NYA2008.htm

2005: In his first outing in pinstripes, Randy Johnson allows a run and five hits in six innings as New York open the 2005 MLB season with a 9-2 triumph over the 2004 World Champion Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. Meanwhile, Hideki Matsui once again warms to the Opening Day spotlight, scoring three times, knocking in three, and collecting three, including a home run.

Johnson%2520as%2520a%2520Yankee%25201st-723015.jpg

http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/2005/B04030NYA2005.htm

1984: After rain washed out yesterday’s opener at Royals Stadium, Yul Brynner tosses out the first ball and Kansas City open with a 4-2 win over the Yankees. The threat of snow holds the crowd to just 10,006. Starter Bud Black, with relief help from Dan Quisenberry, tops Ron Guidry, still winless in Openers. Onix Concepción hits Guidry’s first pitch of the year for a home run, while Dave Winfield has a two-run blast for the Yankees.

http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1984/B04030KCA1984.htm

1969: Charley Stanceu (3rd from the right in the top row), a spot starter on the Yankees’ 1941 championship club, dies of a heart attack
at the age of 53.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/stancch01.shtml

1929: Art Ditmar, pitcher for the 1958 Yankees championship club and 1957 AL pennant winner, is born – happy 83rd, A.D.!

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/ditmaar01.shtml

1923: One of the most bizarre off-the-field incidents in the history of the Yankees (or any other club) occurs in Jacksonville, Florida. New York outfielder Ping Bodie competes against an ostrich named Percy in a spaghetti-eating contest.