The New York Yankees paid tribute to the late James Gandolfini on Wednesday as news came out about his death by playing "The Sopranos" theme song and then they honored him again on Thursday with a moment of silence before playing the Rays.

I was at the game on Wednesday and heard the theme song as news spread around the stadium about his death and then on Thursday the Yankees did it again for the actor and New York sports fan that was from New Jersey. Gandolfini was shown on the big screen waving a Yankees cap and that was from when the actor read the lines from Lou Gehrig's 1939 farewell speech. Amazingly enough, he passed away on Gehrig's 110th birthday.

Gandolfini was a big supporter of New York sports and he was a Jets fan and a narrator on the Giants Super Bowl video and he was seen at New York Jets, New York Rangers, and Los Angeles Kings games in the past.

Former Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano said Gandolfini was a "great supporter" of the program "long before it was fashionable to be so."

"His generosity in helping us lent relevance to our football program at a time when it was desperately needed," Schiano said. "In addition to his acting acclaim, he will be remembered by all Rutgers people as a compassionate alum and a great New Jerseyian."