Story perspectives

Yankees Old-Timers’ Day Draws Half-Empty Crowd, Honors Tommy John

8/11/2026

Summary

Yankees' Low Turnout

Yankees’ 78th Old-Timers’ Day sold 45,000 tickets but filled fewer than half the seats.
The ceremony began at 12:45 p.m., the alumni game at 3:05 p.m., and a heat advisory near 100 °F made the three-hour wait difficult.
Reggie Jackson and Mariano Rivera attended, with Andy Pettitte and Bernie Williams also participating.
Derek Jeter missed the event, prompting Michael Kay to suggest that bringing him back or featuring Aaron Judge could boost turnout.

Summary

Tommy John Farewell

Tommy John, 83, gave a farewell on Old-Timers’ Day, thanking the Yankees and the Steinbrenner family while battling health issues.
He referenced his 2024 bladder-cancer diagnosis and thanked Dr. Frank Jobe, whose 1974 UCL surgery enabled his 26-year career.
He cited career totals of 288–231 wins and a 3.34 ERA, and said “Tommy John” surgery is now routine, naming Max Fried (2014), Gerrit Cole (2025) and Clarke Schmidt (2025) as recent beneficiaries.

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Yankees' Low Turnout

Yankees’ 78th Old-Timers’ Day sold 45,000 tickets but filled fewer than half the seats.
The ceremony began at 12:45 p.m., the alumni game at 3:05 p.m., and a heat advisory near 100 °F made the three-hour wait difficult.
Reggie Jackson and Mariano Rivera attended, with Andy Pettitte and Bernie Williams also participating.
Derek Jeter missed the event, prompting Michael Kay to suggest that bringing him back or featuring Aaron Judge could boost turnout.

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