Despite winning no titles in any major sporting event, New York has been home to some of the most memorable moments in Sports History in the Year 2013.
Here are my top five New York Sports Moments of 2013.
1. Exit the Sandman
"It's time to go." With those four words from career long teammates Derek Jeter and Andy Pettitte, the greatest closer of all time was reduced to tears on the mound at Yankee Stadium, as he closed the curtain on an unparalleled 19 year career, a record 652 saves, and one last emotional pitching change. The New York crowd rose to their feet and chanted the name 'Mariano' over and over again as he was set to walk off his mound one last time. "I was bombarded with emotions and feeling that I couldn't describe," said Mariano. "Everything hit at that time. I knew that was the last time. Period. I never felt like that before."
2. Andy Pettitte's Last Start
This may not be the second best 2013 Sports moment for many other New York sports fans, but Andy Pettitte is my favorite Yankee to have every played the game. Pettitte's last start in a Yankees uniform saw him throw a complete game win over his hometown Houston Astros. His second to last game was his final start at Yankee stadium. Though he didn't earn the win, he provided the Yankees with a vintage big time Andy effort that resulted in a 2-1 loss. The outcome of the game however wont be what fans remember. They'll remember the gratitude and appreciation that was showered on Andy Pettitte by the fans in his last walk off the mound and final curtain call at Yankee Stadium. His lasting words in a Yankee uniform; "It's a shame we've got to get old, and you can't just continue to play this game. But just how blessed and fortunate I am, to be able to play a game and get paid to do it, it's just been incredible."
3. Citi Field Hosts the 2013 MLB All-Star Game - New York City Athletes Shine
The recent set back of the New York Mets has limited Citi-Field from being a big-game event venue, but in 2013 Citi Field finally got the opportunity to host a major sporting event when the Mets hosted the 2013 MLB All Star Weekend Festivities for the first time since 1964. The American League won the game 3-0, but New Yorkers will forever remember the 2013 All Star Game as the game in which Mets Ace and future face of the franchise Matt Harvey threw two scoreless innings, and New York Yankees closer Mariano River pitching a flawless 8th inning in his last all-star appearance in his last major league season.
4. New York Islanders Make the Playoffs
Yes it was a shortened season, and yes they did get eliminated in the first round by the top-seeded Pittsburgh Penguins, but after an 8-0-3 surge to close out the regular season, the Islanders made the NHL Playoffs for the first time in 2013 since 2007.
5. Soccer in the Big Apple
On May 21st the Yankees announced that they and the Manchester City Football Club of the British Premier League will co-own New York City Football Club (NYCFC), the 20th MLS franchise that will begin play in 2015. Early in December both clubs announced that NYCFC will have their own stadium built in the South Bronx right behind Yankee Stadium. NYCFC will provide the Metropolitan Area with another professional sports team in the now five major professional sports leagues.
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