It's like we're witnessing the barnstorming New York Yankees of old, as the team has added a second exhibition game outside of Florida at the end of spring training, traveling to West Point’s Johnson Stadium at Doubleday Field to take on Army.
It will mark the 22nd·exhibition game between the clubs at West Point (1927-28, ’30-37, ’44, ’61-64, ’66, ’68-69, ’72, ‘74 and ’76).
"It’s a tremendous honor for our organization to play at West Point, which is one of our country’s most historically significant institutions," said New York Yankees Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner.·"The Yankees have always held the nation’s servicemen and servicewomen in the highest regard.·Playing in this game is our way of showing appreciation for their valor and the sacrifices made by all members of the United States armed forces.”
The Yankees and Cadets met for the first time on May 26, 1927 at Doubleday Field. The contest, which featured Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and the rest of the Murderers’ Row Yankees, was called after an inning and a half due to rain.
For seven of their eight visits between 1961 and 1972, the Yankees were led by Manager Ralph Houk, who was known as “The Major” for his bravery as an Army armored corps officer in World War II. The Yankees skipper for the 1964 game was former U.S. Navy Seaman 2nd Class Yogi Berra, who was a gunner’s mate on a rocket boat that provided cover fire for the troop landings on Omaha Beach during the D-Day invasion.
The Cadets will be looking for their first-ever win against the Yankees, having come closest to victory in 1966, when they lost, 1-0, in seven innings, as Mickey Mantle drove in the game’s only run on a force out in the first inning.
Ticket information for the game will be available in late February at goarmysports.com.
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