Former astronaut and U.S. Senator John Glenn, a native of Cambridge, Ohio, was here to throw out the ceremonial first pitch to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his flight in the Mercury spacecraft Friendship 7, the first orbital flight ever made by an American.

Glenn, 91 but sharp as CC Sabathia's slider, held a brief news conference in which he regaled us with stories about that historic flight, about flying missions in the Korean War with Ted Williams, and his memories of Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon who died Saturday at age 82.

He was thoroughly impressive to everyone who met him today, with the possible exception of the Yankees manager.

When it was mentioned to Joe Girardi that Sen. Glenn would throw out today's first pitch, Girardi said, "I'm more of a Neil Armstrong guy myself."

Girardi attended Neil Armstrong Elementary School in E. Peoria, Ill.