Yankees Old-Timers' Day roster features 2009 World Series champs, massive return

He may never wind up in Monument Park, but Alex Rodriguez is apparently not persona non grata with the Yankees' organization.

This summer marks the 15th anniversary of the Yankees' last World Series championship (side note: yikes), giving the team an opportunity to celebrate those champions at this summer's Old-Timers' Day.

While it still seems likely that Hal Steinbrenner will have a pair of goons following him around with a taser at all times, A-Rod made his way to the honoree list -- and that's very good. Say what you will about Rodriguez and his cursed No. 13, which got Jazz Chisholm this week, but the powerhouse '09 team absolutely does not win a title without his clutch hit after clutch hit. The homer off the camera well. The homer in the driving rain against the Angels. The homer against Joe Nathan. The double down the line after Johnny Damon's daring steal of second and third.

He truly was superhuman that fall, and he's going to get a big pop, as the crowd lets bygones be bygones next Sunday.

Yankees Old-Timers' Day: How to watch, and will they play a game after all?

Certain Old-Timers' Day staples like Brian Doyle, David Cone and Graeme Lloyd will still be in attendance, but this summer's main focus is the '09 champs, meaning the return of such unforgettable cameos as Eric Hinske, Phil Coke and Damaso Marte.

Other notables, like Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain, will either not be in attendance, or won't be sticking around for the ceremony (as Chamberlain indicated when we spoke to him). Rodriguez and Jeter will likely be the event's hammers, as an entire crowd of not-that-old fans reckons with the fact that a title they remember so tangibly is now Old-Timers' history.

The pregame ceremony will stream on YES Network, but unfortunately, that's all it is -- just a ceremony. The Old-Timers' Game itself was abandoned during the pandemic somewhat silently; when the event returned, it was simply an opportunity to wave and clap. It's a shame for many reasons, but especially this summer, given how youthful most of these folks still are, and they show they could likely put on.

Oh well. The '09 highlights will be pretty pleasant to watch regardless, and hopefully inspiring for Juan Soto and Co.