Yankees 2019 Old-Timers’ Day will feature Mariano Rivera

It’s only fitting that the latest installment of Yankees Old-Timers’ Day features the first unanimous selection into the Baseball Hall of Fame, Mariano Rivera.

Mariano Rivera, the greatest closer in major league history will make his Yankees Old Timers’ Day debut on Sunday, June 23 — the 73rd annual occurrence of the storied early summer tradition.

On Wednesday, the organization announced that Rivera, the all-time saves leader (652), 13-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion, would officially earn the distinguished honor of being considered an “Old-timer.”

Along with Yankee greats Whitey Ford and Don Larsen, other former pinstriped pitchers that are scheduled to be in attendance include David Cone, David Wells, Ron Guidry, Al Downing, Scott Kamieniecki, Graeme Lloyd, Ramiro Mendoza, Jeff Nelson and Jason Grimsley.

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The inclusion of Grimsley, who admitted to federal authorities in 2006 that he used PEDs, amphetamines and HGH, even after baseball radicalized its testing process in 2003 is a bit of a surprise.

As for past sluggers and position players that’ll be in attendance, they include Reggie Jackson, Mickey Rivers, Lou Pinella, Joe Pepitone, Bucky Dent, Chris Chambliss, Jesse Barfield, Brian Doyle, Scott Bradley, Dr. Bobby Brown, Willie Randolph and Lee Mazzilli.

Some former players that a younger generation may recall, at least towards the twilight of their careers include Paul O’Neill, Tino Martinez, Bernie Williams, Luis Sojo, Jerry Hairston Jr., Homer Bush, John Flaherty, Charlie Hayes, Johnny Damon, Jason Giambi, current Yankees hitting coach Marcus Thames and manager Aaron Boone.

Also, the widows of Mel Stottlemyre (Jean Stottlemyre), Catfish Hunter (Helen Hunter), Billy Martin (Jill Martin), Thurman Munson (Diana Munson), Bobby Murcer (Kay Murcer) and former head athletic trainer Gene Monahan, will all take part in pre-game festivities.

Fans are being asked to be in their seats by 11:30 AM, a good two and a half hours before the Yanks take on the Astros at 2:05 PM.

Perhaps next year, The Captain, Derek Jeter will take a page out of Mo’s book and return to Yankee Stadium following his own enshrinement into Cooperstown. After all, Jeter may turn out to be the second unanimous selection in baseball history.