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Back on the Yankee Stadium mound for the first time in five years Anthony Munoz Jersey , Andy Pettitte looked completely in control as he warmed up, throwing fastballs, curves and sliders. Then he grooved a pitch down the middle, resulting in a grounder that was misplayed by at first base by Jason Giambi.

Welcome to Old-Timers’ Day, Gramps!

Now a grandfather at age 46 – matching his number retired by the Yankees – Pettitte was joined by Giambi, Nick Swisher, Dion James and current New York manager Aaron Boone in their debuts at the annual event.

”I couldn’t have asked for a better weekend,” Pettitte said Sunday, two days after celebratig his birthday with his family in New York.

Sunday was the 72nd edition of the festive day, featuring Hall of Famers Whitey Ford and Reggie Jackson, plus the always popular Mickey Rivers, Ron Guidry, Johnny Damon and Paul O’Neill.

Swisher was a big hit Quenton Nelson Jersey , too, connecting for a home run during a playful game between the participants.

Also on hand was 93-year-old Bobby Brown, the third baseman who hit .439 in helping the Yankees win four World Series championships. He was a rookie when the Yankees held this event for the first time in 1947, when Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb were in attendance.

”It’s a changing of the guard,” remarked 1960s pitcher Al Downing about the ”younger” Old-Timers.

Pettitte is a high school coach back home in Texas. He posted 219 wins for the Yankees and was a key part of five World Series championship teams, but is still uncomfortable with his place in the team’s history, even when he walks into the today’s New York clubhouse.

”You never look at yourself like that,” he said.

But Pettitte got the proof of what he means this weekend, when he was visiting with current Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia. As they were speaking, pitcher Jonanthan Loaisiga wandered in – on Friday, the 23-year-old made his major league debut and pitched five shutout innings for a win.

”I turned around and introduced myself and he was just staring at me going Andy Pettitte,”’ he said.

Giambi and Boone homered in batting practice, and James attempted a diving play in center field to the delight of the crowd.

Rivers went into the stands to share a few moments with some fans before the fun-filled exhibition and 88-year-old Don Larsen JC Tretter Jersey , who pitched a perfect game in the 1956 World Series, received a standing ovation when he made his way onto the field in a walker.

Yankees rookie second baseman Gleyber Torres, who started a couple hours later in the real game against Tampa Bay, was among several active players who watched from the dugout and mingled with the past stars.

”Just to be able to able to be a part of this crop of guys, some of my ex-teammates and all the Yankee greats is unbelievable,” the excitable Swisher said. ”There are so many amazing men that are here and it’s just an honor to be able to be here and put the uniform on one more time.”

Swisher joked after the game that he wanted to play in a doubleheader. The right fielder saluted New York’s famed Bleacher Creatures in the second inning after initially beginning the day at third base.

Giambi noted game was the first that his young children had ever seen him play in person, except on YouTube.

Pettitte, who had 27 hits during his time in the majors, took three turns at the plate. Guidry gave way to David Cone so the former teammates could face one another.

”I wasn’t expecting to get an at-bat and I got three. It was a fun experience,” he said.

While new Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper would like the focus to be on his plans for the team's future, he cannot completely put the franchise's sullied past behind him.

Tepper has to keep the prominent statue of Panthers' founder Jerry Richardson outside of the stadium as part of the NFL-record $2.2 billion deal he agreed to in June after Richardson decided to sell the team in December amid reports of sexual and racial misconduct in the workplace.

Tepper said Tuesday when he was introduced as the team's new owner that he's "contractually obligated" to keep the 13-foot high statue of Richardson standing alongside two growling panthers where it is.

The league substantiated the allegations against Richardson following a six-month investigation and fined him $2.75 million.

Fans have expressed their desire on social media and sports talk shows to remove the statue, which was built in 2016.

And while Tepper said contractually he can't do that, he spoke repeatedly about changing the environment of the Panthers workplace.

Tepper said there will be "no impediment" in employees feeling comfortable coming forward if they if they have any problems on the business side of the organization.

He wants to create an environment where "everybody feels safe like a family."

Sports Illustrated reported in December Kelvin Benjamin Jersey , citing unnamed sources, that Richardson made sexually suggestive comments to women and on at least one occasion directed a racial slur at an African-American Panthers scout. The report states that he reached settlements that included non-disclosure requirements forbidding the parties from discussing the details.

"Listen, whatever was, was. This is now," Tepper said. "This is going to be an open place. So there are not going to be non-disclosure agreements, no matter what, in this new place. That was then, this is now."

The Panthers are only tied to Charlotte through June 2019 in terms of a stadium agreement, but Tepper reiterated the city is "the most logical place" to keep the team, although adding that a "redo" is necessary.

The Panthers and the city of Charlotte came to an agreement on improvements for the team's stadium in 2013, calling for the city to contribute about $87 million for renovations to Bank of America Stadium in exchange for a six-year hard tether to keep the NFL franchise in Charlotte.

Tepper's focus right now is on new practice facilities.

He said the Panthers are "falling behind a little bit" other teams in the league.

He is considering moving the team's practice facilities to South Carolina, in part to keep both states interested in the team. The Panthers currently practice on three fields within walking distance to their downtown stadium. Tepper said that valuable land could be used for developmental purposes.

Tepper, who grew up playing football Nickell Robey-Coleman Jersey , also said he wants more events at the team's stadium, including high school state championship football games and the "right kind of concerts."

He is excited about the football side of the team, praising two-time AP Coach of the Year Ron Rivera and his hiring of new offensive coordinator Norv Turner to replace Mike Shula.

"I'm not looking to do too much there," Tepper said of the coaching side.

However, Tepper plans to hire a new team president to replace Danny Morrison, who left last year, and former COO Tina Becker, who resigned on Monday after seven months in the position. He said he has two replacement candidates in mind, both with some marketing background.

He also likes the makeup of the team's roster with training camp right around the corner, citing how involved players are in the community and charity work.

He cited Spider-Man, saying that "with great power comes great responsibility."

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