Wednesday, July 09, 2003
I love the internet for many different reasons, but recently I am most thankful for its ability to score me two front row tickets in left to Pedro vs. Mussina in one of the worst neighborhoods I have been to in awhile. The tickets were relatively cheap for the quality - $45 plus tax, shipping, handling, convenience fee, bottle deposit, etc. A similar seat at Fenway goes for either $65 or $70. These were the best seats I have ever had to a game.
Monday's masterpiece, beside the outcome, was my first game in the Bronx and my once a decade trip to Spankee central. Driving through and commuting from Connecticut for the game, reminded me that I could never live in the 'burbs. It would throw me into a “quarter-life crisis” as a popular singer coined.
Yankee stadium is not all that great. Other than Monument Park, nothing stands out. It is a big round park; nothing special. One thing, I cannot believe is that the second level seems to be regular seating, minus some alcoves, when the area would be perfect for luxury boxes. It appears to be an untapped revenue source, which is refreshing since I witness the Henry-Warner-LL group trying to squeeze every nickel out of Fenway not that I blame them after plunking down $700 million.
I got to witness the one nice thing about the Yankees. In the first inning of every Yankee home game, the starters acknowledge the fans when their name is chanted. It really shows the player’s appreciation for the support the team receives. The most disappointing aspect of the experience was a taped rendition of the National Anthem and America the Beautiful. I wanted them to trot out the other Boss, some Broadway performer, Billy Crystal, Bill Clinton, Morris Blackman or any real person for that matter. It was a huge game so bring on the bang wagon jumping celebrities.
Like most parks, they show various snippets on the big screen to keep fans entertained between innings. One segment was called Tools of Ignorance that prominently features Yankee fans. Yes, it is true. I cannot makeup stuff this funny. It was hilarious and worth the price of an upper deck ticket.
The fans were as anticipated, obnoxious and knowledgeable, although a guy sitting next to me couldn't recognized a LHB vs. a RHB. No one gave me any shit, even when I explained that Pedro wasn't trying to hit Jeter. Jeter drives into the pitch and Soriano is on first. Milwaukee was completely different. Attention all 100 Brewers’ fans at Kevin MillAr Park: DREW BLEDSOE DOES NOT PLAY FOR NEW ENGLAND ANYMORE.
As I said earlier, our seats were about 20 feet away from Manny. We got some good photos - I hope. One thing you usually do not see on T.V. or at the park is that Manny is a real space cadet out in the field. Don't get me wrong. Manny is awesome at the plate and made some plays in the field too this season. He just has not interest in fielding. First off, he brought a water bottle out on the field which began the taunting. After hearing it for a couple of innings about muscles and maybe roids, Manny kidding around flexed for the crowd. During warm-ups, when he decided to play catch with the little Soriano ball boy, he dropped about an eighth of the tosses. Around half of the time, Manny didn't even have his glove on. In the ninth with the bases loaded, I was the first to tell Manny to play shallow. This is not Manny bashing; just what I witnessed. He needs to DH next season.
Anyway, it was a good day beside the outcome. I got to spend a day with my sister at the ballpark without getting lost, mugged, pick pocketed, assaulted, or harassed by Yankee fans.
Series notes:
• Shady Chicken Little appears inclined to use Kim in non-traditional closer situations. Good thing.
• Todd Jones seems like he can be more useful than Rudy Huxtable Seanez. Another good thing.
• Where was the Giambi shift on the RBI single in Monday’s game? Bad thing.
• Damian Jackson should be a defensive replacement for Walker.
• Palmerio's Viagra commercial makes me want to vomit.
• I hope Yankee fans appreciated watching a short stop with range. Nomar is definitely a better individual player than Jeter! No doubt. No diggity.
• Why do teams pitch to Soriano and Giambi when currently Jeter and Sierra bat behind them?
Monday's masterpiece, beside the outcome, was my first game in the Bronx and my once a decade trip to Spankee central. Driving through and commuting from Connecticut for the game, reminded me that I could never live in the 'burbs. It would throw me into a “quarter-life crisis” as a popular singer coined.
Yankee stadium is not all that great. Other than Monument Park, nothing stands out. It is a big round park; nothing special. One thing, I cannot believe is that the second level seems to be regular seating, minus some alcoves, when the area would be perfect for luxury boxes. It appears to be an untapped revenue source, which is refreshing since I witness the Henry-Warner-LL group trying to squeeze every nickel out of Fenway not that I blame them after plunking down $700 million.
I got to witness the one nice thing about the Yankees. In the first inning of every Yankee home game, the starters acknowledge the fans when their name is chanted. It really shows the player’s appreciation for the support the team receives. The most disappointing aspect of the experience was a taped rendition of the National Anthem and America the Beautiful. I wanted them to trot out the other Boss, some Broadway performer, Billy Crystal, Bill Clinton, Morris Blackman or any real person for that matter. It was a huge game so bring on the bang wagon jumping celebrities.
Like most parks, they show various snippets on the big screen to keep fans entertained between innings. One segment was called Tools of Ignorance that prominently features Yankee fans. Yes, it is true. I cannot makeup stuff this funny. It was hilarious and worth the price of an upper deck ticket.
The fans were as anticipated, obnoxious and knowledgeable, although a guy sitting next to me couldn't recognized a LHB vs. a RHB. No one gave me any shit, even when I explained that Pedro wasn't trying to hit Jeter. Jeter drives into the pitch and Soriano is on first. Milwaukee was completely different. Attention all 100 Brewers’ fans at Kevin MillAr Park: DREW BLEDSOE DOES NOT PLAY FOR NEW ENGLAND ANYMORE.
As I said earlier, our seats were about 20 feet away from Manny. We got some good photos - I hope. One thing you usually do not see on T.V. or at the park is that Manny is a real space cadet out in the field. Don't get me wrong. Manny is awesome at the plate and made some plays in the field too this season. He just has not interest in fielding. First off, he brought a water bottle out on the field which began the taunting. After hearing it for a couple of innings about muscles and maybe roids, Manny kidding around flexed for the crowd. During warm-ups, when he decided to play catch with the little Soriano ball boy, he dropped about an eighth of the tosses. Around half of the time, Manny didn't even have his glove on. In the ninth with the bases loaded, I was the first to tell Manny to play shallow. This is not Manny bashing; just what I witnessed. He needs to DH next season.
Anyway, it was a good day beside the outcome. I got to spend a day with my sister at the ballpark without getting lost, mugged, pick pocketed, assaulted, or harassed by Yankee fans.
Series notes:
• Shady Chicken Little appears inclined to use Kim in non-traditional closer situations. Good thing.
• Todd Jones seems like he can be more useful than Rudy Huxtable Seanez. Another good thing.
• Where was the Giambi shift on the RBI single in Monday’s game? Bad thing.
• Damian Jackson should be a defensive replacement for Walker.
• Palmerio's Viagra commercial makes me want to vomit.
• I hope Yankee fans appreciated watching a short stop with range. Nomar is definitely a better individual player than Jeter! No doubt. No diggity.
• Why do teams pitch to Soriano and Giambi when currently Jeter and Sierra bat behind them?
0 Old Comments:
Thank you - Red Sox!
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