The Tuesday Discussion: Old-Timer's Day
- Paul Semendinger
- Jul 29
- 3 min read
July 29, 2025
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This week we asked our writers to list the players they feel are most missing from the players who will be attending this year's Old Timer's Day.
Here are their responses:
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Derek McAdam - Even though he gave a reason for not participating, I’m still shocked that Derek Jeter will not be part of the festivities.
But one name that stunned me is David Wells. He had his perfect game and was ALCS MVP in 1998 and I certainly thought he would be there. Maybe he had other obligations, but it’s definitely interesting that he’s not on the list.
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Mike Whiteman - Derek Jeter is the big name that is missing, but I notice a couple solid 1990s contributors are as well- Scott Brosius and Jimmy Key.
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Ed Botti - As usual, the player missing is Dave Winfield.
It would also be nice if Dave Righetti, Randy Velarde, Mike Stanley and Mike Pagliarulo were invited back. Maybe not household names to our younger readers, but all were very good Yankees. I’d also love to see Buck Showalter, the guy that that started the whole Yankee renaissance, back in pinstripes.
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Tim Kabel - I would like to see Sparky Lyle. Obviously, I would like to see Derek Jeter. However, I am happy that many of my favorites will be there.
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James Vlietstra - The most obvious name is Derek Jeter. He was the World Series MVP of the 2000 championship team that they are celebrating. He should know what day Old Timers Day is ten years in advance and block out those days on his calendar. Anyone that is in his life would understand and accommodate this one weekend.
In recent years, three Yankees WS MVPs have passed away. Bobby Richardson, Reggie Jackson, Scott Brosius, John Wetteland, Hideki Matsui and Jeter are all living World Series MVP that will not be in attendance. At least five of them should be.
Somehow there’s only two Hall of Fame members who will be in attendance. What about Mussina, Jeter, Boggs, Sabathia, Raines, Suzuki, Gossage, Johnson, Winfield, and Kaat?
Beloved players such as Darryl Strawberry. Players with iconic moments like Charlie Hayes, Jim Leyritz, Joe Girardi, Jim Abbott, Chris Chambliss, and Domingo German.
And we’re down to nine living members of the Mickey Mantle era players: Bobby Richardson, Johnny James, Tony Kubek, Zach Monroe, Bobby Shantz, Al Downing, Rollie Sheldon, Jack Cullen, and Jake Gibbs. I would rather honor them than remember them.
Aging announcers like John Sterling and Bill White would bring tears to the eyes of millions of devoted listeners. And while we are at it bring Ronan Tynan back to sing. And who is more connected with Yankees history than Marty Appel?
Would the ceremony be slightly longer if they invited back 25 additional people? Yes maybe a little. Would anyone be disappointed? I highly doubt it.
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Paul Semendinger - There was a time when almost all the great Yankees turned out to Old Timer's Day.
One thing that fans should be concerned about is why so many great and legendary Yankees will not be there this year (and haven't been coming for years). What is keeping them away? Are they not invited? Do they not feel welcome?
Here's a partial list of players who should be there:
Great Yankees in the Hall: C.C. Sabathia, Derek Jeter, Mike Mussina, Rich Gossage, Reggie Jackson, Rich Gossage, Wade Boggs, Dave Winfield
Hall-of-Famers Who Wore Pinstripes: Ichiro Suzuki, Jim Kaat, Lee Smith, Tim Raines, Ivan Rodriguez, Randy Johnson, Bobby Cox.
Other Great/Legendary Players: Chris Chambliss, Sparky Lyle, Ron Blomberg, Bobby Richardson, Tony Kubek, Alex Rodriguez, Andruw Jones, Tommy John, David Wells, Darryl Strawberry, Don Mattingly, Dave Righetti, Lou PIniella...
I have already listed too many names. In short, OTD should be a huge celebration of the great Yankees and legendary players who passed through the Bronx. It used to be just that. It needs to be that again.
On a positive note, I am very pleased that Graig Nettles will be returning for the first time in many years. And I am always thrilled that Roy White is there.
It would be nice if the Yankees added Roy White and Graig Nettles to Monument Park at the ceremony. It is long overdue for both.
Here's an idea. Have them suit up and play the regular game--probably get better results.
Goose
the entire thing would be reinvigorated by being radically reimagined.
rather than seeing the husks of formerly great players standing around so that they may receive applause from formerly young fans, and the children of the formerly young
the Yankees should spend, spend, spend and employ the latestest technology
have robotic replicas constructed
allow the fans to see replicant Ruth, mocked-up Mantle engaged in a realesque kind of contest
against next-gen old Giants heroes and such
Not only should Reggie be banned from ever attending again, his number needs to be unretired.
I'm surprised that Mo is allowed back this year, considering his real life issues.
All you guys had great names who should be there. I especially would love to see Boggs, Rags, & Pags. But I gotta agree with having Phil Rizzuto, I mean Bill White there would be very special. Most of us grew up with Messer, White & Scooter being the announcers.
Considering who's on the 2025 club, anyone really surprised that Clay Bellinger is showing up?