Rain swirled in under the illumination of the lights against the grandstand facade. A sold-out crowd waited in anticipation. Derek Jeter only needed one hit to pass Lou Gehrig and become the all time Yankees' hits leader with 2,722. The initial rain delay lasted one hour and 27 minutes. The delay only fueled everyone in and around the stadium who waited to watch the first true historical bench mark of in the stadium's inaugural season.
At 9:22pm on September 11th, 2009, a cold-rainy night, Derek Jeter delivered just as he had 2,721 times prior to that hit when he became the new Pinstripe's hits leader. The ovation lasted for 4 minutes, finally allowing play to resume at 9:26. Everyone on their feet, an entire stadium one entity, chanting to one rhythm of sound. "Der-ek Je-ter".
The game was about more than just Derek's hit. It was a baptism for a new stadium, for the new home of the most historic franchise in sports. The ghosts of the original Yankee stadium were descending down from the baseball heavens by way of the big ballpark across the street. Blessing the new stadium with the falling rain as Gehrig, Ruth, DiMaggio, and Mantle watched the newest made man join their ranks. It was the first time the stadium actually felt like home. It may not have shaken like the old stadium (Aaron Boone 2003 ALCS game 7), but it sounded like, and looked like the 161st and River ave of old.
With the number of wins to clinch a playoff birth under 5 the stadium prepares for October form. The atmosphere the week leading up to and beyond the monumental hit has felt October-esq. Far removed from the beginning of the season that was marred with empty ridiculously expensive seats and disgruntled fans.
But it seems, despite all that the fans and ghosts have taken their seats. The legends now wait in monument park for championship number 27 to be painted on the bleacher wall behind them.
The stadium is proving it will provide the noise. Its now up to these Yankees to break the bottle of champagne.