Sept. 22, 2008

In case you somehow missed the week of promotion or didn't tune in to the pregame show that began at the absurd hour of 1 p.m., last night was the final game in Yankee Stadium. The opponent happened to be the Baltimore Orioles, a team that penciled Carolina's Brian Roberts into the lineup as the leadoff hitter. That gave Roberts the opportunity to take the first pitch of the evening, a ball from Andy Pettite, as an explosion of flash bulbs popped. "I'm sure I'll remember this for more than a while, probably my whole life," Roberts said. But, by sheer coincidence, his historic night wasn't finished.

Roberts, who could be in line for a nice new contract extension, was also the final hitter of the evening, facing star Yankee closer Mariano Rivera with two outs. And, as history will note, Roberts was the final out at Yankee Stadium. "I figured I'd either make the last our or get the last hit or something," Roberts said. "I couldn't go wrong."

The nature of the evening turned players into fans, scrounging for memorabilia and competing to grab foul balls. Roberts said he literally stole second base on Friday night after notching a double, and also said he plans to keep the bat he used to make the final out. Cooperstown might have some plans for the bat, too. And don't worry, Brian, the new Boshamer Stadium will have plenty of space to display some of your memorabilia if you run out of room.