Comments on: A few postgame notes from the Yankees

By: saucY

saucY — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 21:39:31 +0000

i had trouble finding balls/strikes too. then i found them on the manual scoreboards…

By: saucY

saucY — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 21:38:05 +0000

i was in 118 on friday. they only checked my ticket early in the game. pretty much anyone could have walked down there after the 5th inning or so…

By: JonH

JonH — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:50:15 +0000

Pete, I’m surprised there was no mention of the sound system in our $1.2 billion stadium going out for better than 3 innings on Saturday? I haven’t heard or read anything about it since the scoreboard flashed Silent Eyed Joey. I realize these were “dry runs” and that kind of thing should get ironed out. They have 2 weeks to go.
A few comments from your middle class fan on the new House:
1. I totally agree with the comment about the retired numbers. They are visible for us “upper tier” fans, however.
2. I was always a gamer who loved to try for the foul balls, even in our “upper seats”. Now, foul balls are reserved for only the 100 and 200 level seats. The 300 and 400 levels are way out of reach.
3. The “amenities” I read so much about early only apply to the lower seats. Up top, when you go to concessions, you can’t see the game (like you can downstairs). There are no TVs as advertised in the bathrooms.
4. I like that you can walk all around the Stadium and the walkways are generally better and larger. Escalators are almost non-existent but the elevators are bigger and better.
5. Security now stands at the entrance to EVERY section checking tickets. So no more upgrading when there are empty seats down lower. This will reduce the fan effect on the opposition as the loud fans have to stay in their nosebleed sections and the empty rich seats will be crying out in all their silence.
6. I hate the fact that the Bleacher creatures are no longer on top of the right fielder. Now there is a section of field level in front of them (at $100 a seat FACE value). So the bleacher creatures, as loud as they may scream) will no longer be an intimidation to the opposing fielders. This to me is the worst shame of the place.
7. The HD screen is absolutely stunning. Like Jeter, however, I couldn’t find where the ball/strike counter was (just takes some getting used to, it IS there)
8. The food is better and pricier. But again, those amenities are best down low. The upper sections are pretty much what they were at the old place. There is no BBQ upstairs and no spanish food up there. But I like the Mohegan outdoor patio in Center field.
9. The bars/restaurants, at least for the first games, were unenterable as the crowds were just overwhelming. Maybe it will lighten up some as the season wears on an the novelty wears off.
10. Finally, the team does look great and poised for a really special season. I just wish I could get in more games. I was lucky to land the seats I did and got to take my 15 yr old to the new Stadium. I hope things work out and reason takes over and the prices become somewhat reasonable.

Postscript: What the hell happened to Billy’s sports bar??! It’s like a NIGHTCLUB in there with prices to boot!!

By: VT Yankeefan

VT Yankeefan — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 00:07:54 +0000

The spring winning percentage is equal to the percentage of games the Yanks won in the “perfect season” of 1998. Can I at least dream of 114 wins again?

By: Melissa

Melissa — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 21:56:42 +0000

“SS Derek Jeter (1-for-3) recorded a personal spring-best 3RBI”? Guess it’s a good thing he hit that home run today then!

By: brian

brian — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 21:52:51 +0000

^ but pettite always pitches like this he only rarely goes out and dominate lineups he gives up hits but gets out of trouble hes always been like that.

By: John Friedman

John Friedman — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 21:27:33 +0000

The Pettitte stats are misleading–he was always in trouble and was saved by the DP. If this is a prelude, it will not be a good summer for him (and us).

By: Mike S.

Mike S. — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 21:19:55 +0000

Further than 1961. Believe it or not, the 1961 team had a terrible spring training record, showing what S.T. sometimes can mean. I think they were something like 9-20.

By: Frankie speaking . . .

Frankie speaking . . . — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 20:52:44 +0000

Attention naysayers, disbelievers, whiners, etc.

The Yankees will not have a record of 162 – 0 but will have the necessary wins to take the Division, the ALCS, and we’ll see what the World Series brings.
The pitching and it’s depth combined with better run production than 2008 will pave the way to a season to be proud of.

By: sevrox

sevrox — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 20:45:19 +0000

Yeah – unimpressed with the new stadium. An embarrassment of riches. For a team so obsessed with tradition, they just flushed all their tradition down the toilet by closing down the old Stadium. They’re screwing the average fan, and I’m a bit ashamed of their entire anti-regular-guy-and-gal approach with the new setup. It will bite them in the arse.

But I love the team and their chances this year.