“They said this was the kind of uniform we played in. I don’t remember getting this one,” he said, drawing laughs.

Berra was one of six Hall of Famers on the field. Family members stood in for the greats who are gone, such as Phil Rizzuto, Thurman Munson, Elston Howard and Roger Maris.

Don Larsen, who pitched a perfect game here in the 1956 World Series, scooped dirt from the mound into a plastic cup, assisted by Whitey Ford.

It was one of many nostalgic scenes on this night, only possible at Yankee Stadium.

Center field was the finale. The Mick, Bobby Murcer, a huge roar for Williams — back at Yankee Stadium for the first time since the team let him go after the 2006 season.

Then the Yankees starters from Sunday night joined the former stars at their positions. Julia Ruth Stevens, 92-year-old daughter of the Babe, threw out the ceremonial first pitch to injured catcher Jorge Posada. Berra voiced over a salute to the old ballyard and it was finally time to play ball.

“Only this time when it’s over, it’s over,” Berra said.

Much like this season, the Yankees started slowly.

Baltimore jumped ahead of Pettitte 2-0 before Damon’s three-run shot to right in the third — not far from where he hit his grand slam for Boston in Game 7 of the 2004 AL championship series.

Molina, filling in for Posada, added a two-run shot off rookie Chris Waters (3-4) in the fourth to give New York a 5-3 lead.

Struggling through an extremely disappointing second half, Pettitte snapped a five-start losing streak. He left to a standing ovation in the sixth, waved his cap and came out for a curtain call.

Notes: Roger Clemens wasn’t among those mentioned when highlights rolled of great Yankees pitchers during the pregame ceremony. ... Pettitte fanned Ramon Hernandez in the second for his 2,000th strikeout. ... Damon’s bat and Molina’s spikes are headed to the Hall of Fame.

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