For only the third time, Halloween will play host to the World Series. On the two previous occasions, the Yankees were victorious, but this time around the Bronx Bombers will be donning costumes instead of uniforms. At least AJ Burnett will. The team’s very own Jekyll and Hyde snatched up a few scary items before frightening Yankees’ fans in his ill-fated ALCS start. In what looking back was probably a bad omen, Burnett’s preparation for Halloween trick-or-treating didn’t exactly scream confidence in the outcome of the series.
Those players who didn’t anticipate being home on Halloween probably missed out on all of the best costumes, but I am sure they’ll make do. After all, baseball players get plenty of practice. The ritual of rookie hazing, which usually takes place on the last road trip of the season, can make even the Greenwich Village Halloween Parade seem tame. Even conservative organizations like the Yankees get in the act, and over the last several years, the team has taken the tradition to an art form. So, on a holiday dedicated to playing dress-up, we celebrate Halloween by taking a look back at the Yankees’ recent history of hazing. Just be ready to cover your eyes.
2009: Batman and Friends
A proud Joe Girardi is surrounded by Batman (Mark Melancon) and friends, including the Boy Wonder (video man Anthony Flynn), Catwoman (Ramiro Pena) Joker (radar gun operator Brett Weber), Riddler (Mike Dunn) and the Penguin (massage therapist Lou Potter).
2008: Village People
Brett Gardner, Francisco Cervelli and Juan Miranda take a stroll through Fenway Park as the Village People.
2007: Off to See the Wizard
Who said Joba Chamberlain doesn’t have courage and Phil Hughes needs a heart? Shelley Duncan as the scarecrow and Ian Kennedy as Dorothy can testify.
2006: Who’s the Boss?
Melky Cabrera dons a turtleneck and blue blazer in honor of George Steinbrenner.
2005: Team Spirit
Chien-Ming Wang, Robinson Cano and Mike Vento shake their pompoms.
2004: Long Live the King
Andy Phillips, Bubba Crosby, Scott Proctor, Brad Halsey and Dioner Navarro do their best Elvis impersonations, but where’s Lance Berkman when you really need him?
2003: Godzilla the Pimp
Hideki Matsui puts forth a side to Godzilla that we never knew existed.
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by The Captain's Blog, The Captain's Blog. The Captain's Blog said: Yanks Don Costumes, Not Uniforms This Halloween: http://wp.me/pSdjI-VJ […]