The
New York Yankees are widely regarded as the most iconic franchise in
sports and on April 16th versus the Chicago Cubs they will
honor one of the world's most iconic men- Nelson Mandela. Mandela known
for bringing peace, equality and democracy to South Africa will be
honored with a plaque in his honor at the historical monument park
which is located in center field at Yankee Stadium. Monument park for
those who don't know is an area where the Yankees have commemorative
plaques and artifacts honoring the great ballplayers and people who
contributed to the success of the Yankees. So people like Babe Ruth,
Lou Gehrig, Yogi Berra and Mickey Mantle who helped the Yankees
achieve success on the field will have their plaques sit next to a
man who is regarded by many as one of the greatest men in the history
of the world in Mandela.
Now
you might be asking what connection does Mandela have to the Bronx
based baseball franchise and why is he getting a plaque? Well on June
21st 1990 he payed a visit to Yankee Stadium where he
addressed the crowd while wearing Yankee attire. He went on to boldly
proclaim “You know who I am. I am a Yankee”. Hal Steinbrenner
says that Mandela's visit was a transcendent moment in the history of
the original Yankee Stadium. Mandela's legacy will now live on in one
of the most iconic franchises home ballpark.
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