From a stage parked in front of City Hall today mayor Bloomberg proclaimed New York “The capital of baseball.” After what I saw, I have no doubt about it. The World Series-winning Yankees were given a hero’s welcome yesterday in the Financial District for the big victory parade. It was insane. A million fans showed up in Wall Street. Some held up signs that read “proud New Yorkers,” while others were holding up the number 28, already looking toward another championship next year.
I fought my way through this sea of blue and white ball caps, flashing my press pass trying to get closer to the action. I ended up on Broadway among the parade! There were people literally everywhere: hanging from lamp posts, perched on window ledges and sitting on rooftops. It rained confetti and rolls of toilet paper. I received one on the head...
Players paraded through the crowd on floats while bagpipers and a brass band played, with Alex Rodriguez, sporting a back fedora, sun glasses and coat, opening the parade. His famous girlfriend however, actress Kate Hudson, was not at his side despite having been at all of the games. Rodriguez was accompanied by rapper Jay-Z whose song Empire State of Mind became the new anthem for the series, likely because of the line:
“I made the Yankee hat more famous than a Yankee can.”
Team captain Derek Jeter (above) made things just a bit crazier as fans exploded into chants of “De-rek Je-ta!” Jeter saluted his adoring fans with his girlfriend, actress Minka Kelly, at his side.
Famed director Spike Lee could also be seen during the parade, jumping from float to float to document the historic celebration.
In front of City Hall, where the parade came to an end, a poster was to be hung featuring the number 27. Here, the players got out of their vehicles as the song “We are the Champions” played.
More pictures after the jump!
A few policemen...
25 floors above...
They kept reporters in garbage trucks...
They couldn't wait to clean up the 1000 pounds of confettis...
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