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Al Roker trains with Yankees, fulfills childhood dream

Al Roker recently got the chance to live out a lifelong dream: practicing with the New York Yankees.Regaling the other anchors on Tuesday with tales of his trip to Tampa for spring training, Al explained how much the experience meant to him."My dad was a huge Yankees fan," Al told Matt, Savannah and other guests. "He would have been so proud to see me in the pinstripes."Everyone on the Yankees lin
Al, clad in a Yankees uniform, misses a catch while playing toss with a coach on the field.
Al, clad in a Yankees uniform, misses a catch while playing toss with a coach on the field.Kathy Willens / AP / Today

Al Roker recently got the chance to live out a lifelong dream: practicing with the New York Yankees.

Regaling the other anchors on Tuesday with tales of his trip to Tampa for spring training, Al explained how much the experience meant to him.

"My dad was a huge Yankees fan," Al told Matt, Savannah and other guests. "He would have been so proud to see me in the pinstripes."

Al, clad in a Yankees uniform, misses a catch while playing toss with a coach on the field.
Al, clad in a Yankees uniform, misses a catch while playing toss with a coach on the field.Kathy Willens / AP / Today

Everyone on the Yankees lineup, including shortstop Derek Jeter and pitcher David Wells, welcomed Al with open arms.

"Some do's and don'ts," Yanks' manager Joe Girardi told Al when he arrived. "Be on time, so you already did that. Hustle from field to field. And don't screw up Derek Jeter's hitting groove."

Al was overjoyed: "Wow, no pressure!"

Al delivers the starting line up to home plate before the New York Yankees take on the St. Louis Cardinals.
Al delivers the starting line up to home plate before the New York Yankees take on the St. Louis Cardinals.Scott Audette / Reuters / Today
Hall of famer and New York Yankees special adviser Reggie Jackson, left, watches as Al warms up.
Hall of famer and New York Yankees special adviser Reggie Jackson, left, watches as Al warms up.Kathy Willens / AP / Today