By Adam Nichols
DNAinfo News Editor
Like so many times before, The Boss was back in the Bronx - and the fans were going wild.
Yankee owner George Steinbrenner, who died Tuesday, was given a final standing ovation by fans and players at a pre-game tribute Friday.
Closer Mariano Rivera wiped away tears as he laid two roses - bound with blue and white ribbions - on Yankee Stadium's home plate, a double memorial to The Boss and longtime stadium announcer Bob Sheppard who died just two days before Steinbrenner.
The ceremony started with Sheppard's recorded voice: "Good evening ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to Yankee Stadium."
Yankee captain Derek Jeter stepped up to address the crowd, introduced again by Sheppard, reported the Daily News.
"We gather here tonight to honor two men who are both shining stars in the Yankee universe," said the emotional captain.
"Mr. George Steinbrenner and Mr. Bob Sheppard cared deeply about their responsibilities to this organization and to our fans, and for that will forever be remembered in baseball history and our hearts."
The Yankees won seven World Champion banners during Steinbrenner's 38 year tenure. Jeter said the best honor for The Boss would be to add another.
"How can you honor him enough?" he asked in a video tribute that played on stadium monitors before he stepped up to speak.
"I think the way to do it is for us to go out and win another championship."
The tribute was followed by a 5-4 Yankee victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.
