Father-son connections, Mariano's return, highlights of Yankees Old-Timers' Day
· Yahoo Sports
NEW YORK – Thirty years after winning a World Series with the ’96 Yankees, former reliever David Weathers is still – sort of – on a mound in pinstripes.
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“Every pitch he makes, I’m making with him,’’ said Weathers, nodding at his son Ryan.
Taking in the scene at Saturday’s steamy Old-Timer’s Day at Yankee Stadium, Ryan Weathers enjoyed meeting many of his dad’s championship teammates – including Paul O’Neill, Bernie Williams, Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada – for the first time.
“They’re kind of what made the Yankees the Yankees,’’ said Ryan Weathers, the Yanks’ lefty who gets a now-and-then reminder from his dad about a certain family heirloom.
David Weathers is the only citizen of Loretto, Tenn., with a key to the city of New York.
As the elder Weathers told his son, upon being traded from the Miami Marlins over the winter, New York “is the best place to play’’ and “the toughest place to play.’’
Recalling his own trade deadline day trade from the Marlins to the Yanks in ’96, David Weathers vowed to simply be himself – advice he’d later give to Ryan.
But on the mound, “I was terrible. They probably should’ve released me, but they kept me,’’ said David Weathers, who turned it around with a memorable postseason.
“That’s what this city’s all about…what you do in October,’’ said David Weathers. “This (2026) team has an excellent shot to get there and I’m excited for that.
“Having that weight put on you is a good thing.’’
The Bellingers' Old-Timer's Day encore
As for the other current father-son Yankee connection, Clay Bellinger said he was “super excited’’ when his son returned as a free agent.
“If you…go out there and win a world championship, add to this legacy, there’s no better place in the world to play baseball,’’ he told his son, Cody, who signed a five-year, $162.5 million deal.
Cody Bellinger (left hamstring strain) has spent the last two weeks on the injured list and feels “like I’m on the right track’’ for a sooner-than-later return to the Yanks’ lineup.
Bucky Dent on Lombard Jr., Volpe
As a Yankees guest instructor, Bucky Dent has seen fellow shortstop George Lombard Jr.’s rapid growth as a player since 2025 spring training.
“He has all the ability. Great hands, a good arm. He looks like he’s going to be a really good player,’’ said Dent, author of that famous 1978 one-game playoff homer in Boston.
On the opposite side, Dent spent time with Anthony Volpe in camp, providing instruction to improve his defensive consistency.
Dent had not yet spoken with Volpe since Tuesday’s demotion to Triple-A, where he’s expected to also begin playing second base.
“You’ve just got to step back and let him digest everything. He needs to work on the things he needs to do to get back,’’ said Dent, rooting for the best for Volpe.
“He’s a good kid. I really like him a lot.’’
Mariano Rivera returns after 2025 OTD injury
One year later, Mariano Rivera came off the “IL’’ to start Saturday’s Old-Timer’s Day.
“We’re keeping an eye on him. He gets a little crazy,’’ said Jorge Posada, who witnessed MLB’s all-time saves leader tear an Achilles in the 2025 Old-Timer’s Day game.
Rivera, 56, stumbled while trying to make a catch in center field. But this year, he zipped pitches in the first inning and flied out to center in his one at-bat.
“Injuries are going to happen. I’m okay with that. Just being on the field is great,’’ said Rivera, adding that his rehab was difficult.
“I still have to do therapy,’’ said Rivera. “But I’m good enough to be here.’’
A different game
The down-on-one-knee, pitch-frame centric style of catching is completely foreign to Jorge Posada.
“I saw it with Team Italy, the way those guys set up,’’ said Posada, who served as an assistant hitting coach in the World Baseball Classic.
“We used to receive the ball, now they’re stabling at the ball…it’s another game. It’s completely opposite of what I was taught.’’
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Father-son connections, Mariano's return, highlights of Yankees Old-Timers' Day