Thoughts on the new stadium
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Jan 06, 2010 
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For whatever reason, Sam and I started talking about the new Yankee Stadium this afternoon. Not necessarily the physical structure, but the atmosphere in the place. The sights. The sounds. The feeling of walking into the stadium and seeing the field.
I’m curious to hear your thoughts on the new place. What do you like about it? What would you like to see changed? Again, not looking for major physical changes, just little adjustments that could be made between now and opening day.
For example, I’m a big music fan and usually find myself irritated by stadium music. But here we are three months later, and that Black Eyed Peas song is still stuck in my head. I wouldn’t have picked it, but as it turned out, it was a pretty good choice for getting the stadium excited for a game. The handful of experiences I had in the concourses were much easier than I expected. I thought most of the between innings videos were good.
Music. Food. Videos. Service. The atmosphere in general. What did you enjoy? What are you looking forward to heading into Season Two at the new place?
Sam says: I agree with Chad on the music and scoreboard stuff. In general, I like the the approach the Yankees take with entertainment — not too kitschy, not too over-the-top. Some people like gimmicks – like the Rally Monkey videos in Anaheim, which I do think are pretty funny — but those can get repetitive and over-done. Like Chad, I thought the “get-pumped-up” video during the playoffs was great. I remember the Yankees used to do one that had – no kidding – a great song from Yanni in the background. It was a great series of highlights. Wish they’d bring that one back.
As someone who spent a lot of time at the old Stadium (and was sad to see it go), I’m generally pleased with the new place. I’m hoping to talk with Lonn Trost as we get closer to the start of the season to hear what tweaks are being made for 2010, but most of the feedback I got from fans was that the ballpark experience was positive. One thing I’d like to see: Turkey burgers! I wish they were as easy to find at concession stands as regular burgers. I was also disappointed to see the chicken cheesesteaks be unavailable towards the end of the season. Hopefully they’ll return in 2010.
What do you guys think? Different food? More “Great Subway Race?” Less “Match Game?” Extra ice cream stands?
Cover up the metal fencing around the decks with blue padding.
It felt like a shopping mall, with a ballfield tacked on, to me. But hey, it’s OUR shopping mall, right?
Can’t have Bob Sheppard forever; but I really hope the Yankees continue to do the Stadium announcements with similiar class, clarity, & simplicity.
Stands out among all professional sports.
Everything the NBA is not.
I think the food is pretty awful (which is not even to mention the price).
I think they need to do something with the concrete that shows on the outfield walls.
As for the environment, I was at game 6 of the ALCS and left with no voice. The place was loud, unlike the media saying it now sounds like a church.
I loved the old stadium but the new one is fantastic and we all better get used to it.
Cotton Eye Joe needs to go back to the farm. Does anyone know who that guy is? Does he have an agent that got him pain per usage? I sure hope so for his sake. One of my favorite awkward cheese moments at the old stadium was when they played “Life is Just a Fantasy” by Aldo Nova every game. For like 20 years. I was like the only guy who ever knew who Aldo Nova, but I also knew another thing more important – he had no business being played at the game! It was a bad song (and a bad video I might add where I found it on MTV in my youth) 30 years ago! Who the heck is/was running their music coordination, an 70-year old?
I loved our experience at the new stadium, but I hadn’t been to the old one in too many years.
The only thing that was a negative to me was too much concrete. Needs more blue paint or padding or something. Gray concrete has such a cold feel to it.
I had the sushi (and I liked it) at the stadium, so I don’t think anyone would take my critique of stadium food very seriously.
But I also had the ice cream and I loved it so much I bought it at home (the Turkey Hill Yankees chocolate one). Oh, one other thing that was a little annoying – the band around the stadium that has flashes the advertisements and stuff – I don’t know what you call it – it’s just too much! It’s all the same all around, and it seems to me they could split the space up a bit and use it better. It’s distracting.
you guys need to stop even listing any offseason quotes from Cashman. He’s not going to reveal any of their actual plans, he hardly ever does. some of his answers even turn out to be complete lies.
bottom line, the Yankees do not have a starting left fielder right now. they need one. Cashman of all people should know that a platoon of Brett Gardner and some mediocre right hander is not good enough.
Damon needs a team, the Yankees need a left fielder. Each side knows it wouldn’t be long term, and each side would be ok with it. Cashman has already spent loads on this team. Signing Damon for two years, 20 million does not cripple their bankroll. I have to think eventually, this deal will get done. No, you’re not getting younger, but Damon is a much better fit for 2 more years than any other plan the Yankees seem to have.
i understand you said no physical comments, but just a quick thought. dimensions need to be changed to what they are in old stadium. it is clear that the curvatures are not the same and so while rf rcf c lcf and lf may be label correctly the curvatures are causing the hr haven
Also hate the reduced capacity and eye sore that is the moat.
Besides that ball park is great. Very good experience.
Less YMCA please! So, so tired.
Something was funky and annoying about the acoustics at the new stadium. I noticed both in person and watching on TV it was difficult for the entire stadium to synchronize cheers/chants. The “Lets Go Yankees” and “De-rek Je-ter” in particular stood out to me as sounding like they were in rounds (a la “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”), rather than in unison.
I’m no sound engineer, but I’d imagine the openness and size of the stadium has a lot to do with it, and I’m not sure if it’s the kind of thing that can be fixed.
More pies.
The burgers at the new Stadium are brutal. We need to sign or trade for a new burger provider.
5 Guys Burgers.
Agreed Adam; YMCA lost its luster long ago.
It amazes me how certain fans are so obsessive about Cotton Eyed Joe and YMCA. Its such a short, minor portion of the “show”. Yet, there are plenty of fans who rarely have gone to the stadium, and they enjoy it.
My son went for the first time to see a game at the Stadium this year, he was glad to see those things.
Yes, its corny, but if it bothers you that much time your beer run for when it happens and you can just ignore it.
Nick,
I went on a 14 year super bowl win streak vs. friends. Got big headed tried to bet on regular nfl games where you have to pick the winner. Money would quadruple or be all lost if one game was wrong. I would get 3 games right and the 4th would bury me. Stopped playing that real quick. Tried nba games over under scores of halftime and final. Worked much better but i didnt like it much. Got so hooked to poker, that me and some associates would play it at breaks and lunch on restaurant tables waiting for our food. It got pretty bad. With my personality. I think its probably best to not play with my money or we would probably be knocking on your door in a few months for food.
Will let you know as soon as I’m able to make the trek from Iowa to see the new one…
Wish Monument Park was more open. Cover up all the bare concert walls. Cover them up with blue paint or something.
Burgers and the usual stadium food was bad. Also, the T.V.s everywhere are cool when your getting food but they echo out into the seats which is annoying. Maybe some kind of curtain to close off the vending areas from the seating areas. Hard not love anything Yankee so I’m good with the new stadium either way.
Despite it’s $15 price, the Lobel’s Steak Sandwich is by far the best food (and bargain, by comparison) in the Stadium.
anyone know the song that is used as the background music for the Subway Race?
For the love of god and baby jesus, YMCA & cotton eyed joe must go…pahleeze!!
Cotton Eye Joe needs to go back to the farm. Does anyone know who that guy is?
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I believe its the Rednex. They were really popular in Europe a couple years before we even heard of them here. They actually werent that bad. I went on vacation years back and they were on non stop. It was about 2 years prior to it catching on here. Im o.k. with that song. Its the YMCA one thats like chalk board scratching. It still seems to get people going though.
repost from last subject:
S.o.S.
January 6th, 2010 at 7:31 pm
I would be happy with a Brett Butler. I just dont see that happening. Im just surprised that Gardner is getting so much love and Crosby which had similiar abilities didnt. I also would ask all in support of Gardner. If Cashman pulled a trade off to get a player with Gardners stats and abilities. Would you be delighted or Pi$$ed? I bet the latter.
————————————————————
He’s got to learn what Brett Butler learned to be that good. Learn to bunt and learn to hit the ball on the ground. If he doesn’t, he won’t even be Brett Maverick.
I could get in real trouble here, but my thoughts on the new place are mixed. I’ll give you my thoughts on the minuses and end it on the positives.
Minuses
1. The Relocation Plan – many long time season ticket holders lost their better seat locations and plan preference. I fall into that category. They screwed a lot of loyal fans.
2. The Moat – it’s disgusting and screams class warfare
3. Monument Cave – who is the idiot responsible for taking an open,bright space like Monument Park and stuffing it into a dark recessed dugout?
4. The angle of the seats – as each row goes back in the upper decks you are further and further away from the field.In the old Stadium the rows were much more steep and vertical in relation to the field.My observation is that this is the reason the crowd noise isn’t nearly as loud.
5.The wind – the open design makes the wind currents effect everything from balls hit to right to the sound of the ball hitting the bat and fans chering.I’m surprised they don’t look into at least sealing the front of the building to limit the air flow.
6. The scoreboard – the first game we attended I was with an electrical engineer. Even he had a hard time finding the information he was looking for on the board. It’s too busy.
6. Vendors – there are fewer vendors hawking in the new place. They want you to get up and perhaps spend more than you would have. Also, there are no imported beer vendors selling in the seats.
The Pluses
1. Accessiblity – it’s much easier to move around in the new Stadium. The elevators make the building accessible for everyone. Also, the elevators allow you to exit the ballpark in minutes, as opposed to the winding ramps in the old place.
2. Old fashioned scoreboards- small as they are, it’s how I keep track of the game. And they are a nice touch.. a throwback to the original Stadium.
3. Early gate opening – it’s nice that the gates open much earlier. I love being at the ballpark. My wife & I spent 13 hours on Sept 21, 2008 at the last game across the street and we both thought it went by too fast.
4. The view of the field from Monument Cave – strangely, as bad as the Cave looks from the seats, the view of the field as batting practice takes place is fabulous.You can stand and linger along the wall and if youre tall enough it’s a great view. One of my favorite moments last year was standing along the wall watching batting practice. A father lifted his 7 year old son up and the kid’s eyes opened like saucers. That’s what baseball is all about.
1. YMCA is no longer fresh.
2. Limit God Bless America to weekends or first games of series.
3. Add a few more food choices–the food served at the Jim Beam Club for instance should be available at other locations at the Stadium.
4. Have Monument Park available closer to game time so that it can be seen by people who can’t make it to the stadium hours before game time.
Lobel’s steak sandwhich looked awesome but the line to get one – not so much. Next time I’m going to straight for one and hope the line is smaller.
“”"”"”"JD: Burgers and the usual stadium food was bad. Also, the T.V.s everywhere are cool when your getting food but they echo out into the seats which is annoying. Maybe some kind of curtain to close off the vending areas from the seating areas. Hard not love anything Yankee so I’m good with the new stadium either way.”"”"”"‘
JD…What would be the point of an open concourse if you put up curtains?
He’s got to learn what Brett Butler learned to be that good. Learn to bunt and learn to hit the ball on the ground. If he doesn’t, he won’t even be Brett Maverick.
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gb7,
Im not convinced that he can hit for avg. like Butler did. I believe hes only hit .300 once in the minors. More like Brett the Benchwarmer.
The first time I walked into the Great Hall of the new Yankee Stadium, I got dizzy from the huge screens and blinking lights. I felt like my head was going to explode. So, bad first impression. Once I escaped the sensory overload and saw the rest of the ballpark, I fell in love. The sight lines are great, you can see the game from almost everywhere in the stadium, and there tons of concession stands and bathrooms. When I got to my seats in the upper deck, it was just like being in the old stadium. Except that the seats have cup holders in the back. Joy! The only thing I don’t like is the obstructed views from the bleachers. You can see half the field if you’re sitting near the centerfield restaurant. I know they have TV sets up against the wall of the place, but that was terrible planing by the Yankees.
I’d like to see the ushers learn something about manners and common sense. Actually, just human to human communication in general.
S.o.S.: I definitely don’t want you driving up from the desert looking for food money. All plays I mention here are for entertainment purposes only!!!
I recall being on a long SB win streak too… I think it ended the year the Steelers covered but lost vs the Cowboys. But I still generally do well with that game… G-Men vs 18-0 was a nice payday.
Tomorrow night: roll Tide!
1. Make Monument Park a more open space. Pete was right on that one, it’s too dark now. The old place was perfect, in my opinion. I don’t know how they would go about fixing that, or how to rearrange it with the bullpens and all.
2. More healthy food options at the concessions around the park. The fruit stand is nice, but it’s out of the way.
3. Better coffee (for my wife).
4. Enough with videos of old men dancing.
5. Over all, I really like the new place. Oh, and reduce the prices a bit (I know, fat chance).
Also, there were a few security guards that took 3x as long to check you as everyone else. I know I’m splitting hairs here, but at that point, I just want to get into the place and not have to pull out everything from my pockets
they should sell cream pies at the concession stands next year.
S.o.S.
January 6th, 2010 at 7:51 pm
He’s got to learn what Brett Butler learned to be that good. Learn to bunt and learn to hit the ball on the ground. If he doesn’t, he won’t even be Brett Maverick.
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gb7,
Im not convinced that he can hit for avg. like Butler did. I believe hes only hit .300 once in the minors. More like Brett the Benchwarmer.
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If he doesn’t start to realize that he’s not a power hitter, he’ll be warming the bench…in Trenton.
add cheerleaders (I recommend ones that resemble the orange bikini girl)
Don’t like the PC Richard after every SO. Annoying.
I guess I don’t like open concourses. I liked the old stadium where you come out the tunnels and were in awe. When you get caught on the concourses during innings it’s great to be able to still watch. The bad is people are less apt to stay seated during the game which can get annoying also.
5.The wind – the open design makes the wind currents effect everything from balls hit to right to the sound of the ball hitting the bat and fans chering.I’m surprised they don’t look into at least sealing the front of the building to limit the air flow.
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I thought it was vents in front of home plate that the Yankees turned on the air when we were hitting and off when the Yanks were taking the field. Whats the point of a gagillion dollar stadium if we dont have homerun field advantage?
Also, are they going to knock out that restaurant in center field so the fans can see pop ups on the opposite side? Maybe make the restaurant walls, glass.
Drive 4-5 – you said everything I felt – I just didn’t want to seem over the top, but your writing skills are better than mine.
I’m hoping the ticket office can fix some of the problems with partial season ticket holders, specifically Saturday plans, this season. I’d even take a Sunday plan. The weekdays are a killer, coming out from LI and all.
S.o.S., NYY really needs to bring in a special instructor for Gardner. I’d prefer Larry Bowa, since Butler’s not available. So, my second choice would be Tim Raines.
I forgot one Plus and one Minus.
Minus
Obstructed view seats – for $1.5 bil there should not be any. The seats on both sides of the center field restaurant are terrible. Whoever thought it was ok to block the view of half the field is an idiot. It effects probably 30% of the seats in the Bleachers. And the tv screens they have for showing the other side of the field are way too small.
Plus
The view from the Beachers – if you can get a seat far enough away from the restaurant, the Bleachers are the best $12 you can spend in New York. The view is excellent. Also, it’s great that the Bleachers now give you access to the entire Stadium,unlike the old one.
O’NEILL BANNER!
How about a Dunkin Donuts?
And gimme my effin Sunday plan back, I hate thew Friday package.
The Shadow
Joe from Long Island,
Best of luck! I’m attempting to do the same.
Good bye to cotton eyed Joe.
Painting some of the walls navy blue.
Just beef up the crowd sound somehow and we are set.
Can’t comment on monument park because I was never able to go in.
Maybe add a few more pizza stands? I can’t really complain.
I believe I went to 8 games this season, and the Yankees were 8-0, woot woot!
All plays I mention here are for entertainment purposes only!!!
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Maybe you should place a DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME before mentioning it the next time.
I thought i enjoyed watching the hated pats fall(colts fan). Damn, you got paid to watch the callapse. PRICELESS!!
Sorry for multiple posts.
Get rid of DISCO STU! It is awful!
GB7 – How’s the recovery?
You’re right about Brett, this is his season to get it together. He has to take advantage of his strengths, and minimize the weaknesses in his game, else he’s no more than a 4th OF, and that type is a dime-a-dozen.
The interview Chad did with Cash sure makes it seem like Damon’s time has passed. Reed Johnson, Jonny Gomes, or even Huff, as I think you suggested, have a better shot to hold the fort till next year’s FA crop, and Crawford, Werth. OF is weak in the Yankees farm system.
S.o.S. January 6th, 2010 at 7:51 pm
gb7,
Im not convinced that he can hit for avg. like Butler did. I believe hes only hit .300 once in the minors. More like Brett the Benchwarmer.
————-
I think you expect too much from a #9 hitter, which is what he is right now. If the team can get what he put up last year in the #9 hole, I’d be more than satisfied. If he was hitting lead off, then I think everyone would be within reason to question whether he’s capable of performing for the spot he’s in. But as a good defensive LF, who will hit .250-.280, hopefully use his speed better and distract the pitcher for the top of the order, I’m perfectly fine with it.
.02.
Definitely against cotton eye joe, just disastrous. YMCA is tired, but it’s tolerable.
I was lucky enough to make a couple late inning regular season wins and postseason games, including WS Game 6 – and I have to say I loved some of the pump up videos they played, the Rocky one was a little lackluster, but the 300 one (despite the quality of that film) was certainly effective in getting the crowd amped.
I know we aren’t supposed to be talking about physical features, but just wanted to throw this out there: I sat in the field level seats one game, which have some real nice padding on them. That padding exists on every seat on the field level, and I can’t see how it could be out of the Yankees’ budget to install that on every seat in the stadium. It would be a fairly pricey one-time expenditure, but that’s something they could easily capitalize over a few years. It would make fans incredibly happy and slightly reduce the second-rate fan dynamic currently growing in the Stadium between the field level/Legend Seats and the rest of the stadium. Additionally it would enhance Yankee Stadium’s position as the greatest in the world of professional sports. Just a thought.
I believe I went to 8 games this season, and the Yankees were 8-0, woot woot!
me too
GB7,
Im all for that. Bowa could hit two birds with one stone. Help Gardner, car pool with Johnson(saving gas)and get back to coaching 3rd base. 3 birds? Raines wouldnt be a bad option as well. Maybe Vince Coleman to teach him how to steal bases better?
More disco stu lol
Patrick January 6th, 2010 at 8:06 pm
More disco stu lol
*****
The funniest thing is when people think it is live and he is really in the stands. LOL
I believe I went to 8 games this season, and the Yankees were 8-0, woot woot!
me too
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I remember that U.E.. I believe we were all going to start pitching in for you to have season tickets and air fares to away games. It was a nice streak. I wish i could say the same about watching them in Anaheim. I think its gone to 5 game loosing streak. Skipped this last year and we won it all. Superstitious to say the least.
Thanks for the Deniro movie suggestion. Was great.
i’ll start with the negative
1. the food is godawful. not even talking about the price(which is painful), but taste-wise, it’s terrible. the italian deli place must make their heroes three days ahead of time, they’re so dry. even brother jimmy’s doesn’t compare to the restaurants in the city. and if you’re paying so much, you should get a sizable portion, not the small burritos and tacos the mexican place gives you. the food needs to be improved. i now bring my own sandwich there, and the only thing i’ll buy are the fries and the ice cream(which, coincidentally, they raised the prices on both in the middle of the season). i did love the sushi, but it’s too damn expensive. you want to talk about good food? Comerica Park has it. Great, cheap, plentiful. Wonderful. Yankee Stadium? Embarrassing.
2. the lack of paying customers down low is not good for atmosphere. the lack of noise from around home plate reverberates throughout the stadium, ironically. prices should be lowered around home plate. more fans=more noise=more atmosphere.
3. rain delays and possible cancellations need to be communicated hours ahead of time. having to go there and wait for 2 or more hours(which happened a few times to me) because delays aren’t announced until 6 pm or later is truly annoying.
beyond that, i can only say nothing positive.
1. the scoreboards are wonderful
2. love the museum atmosphere of the place
3. structurally, it’s beautiful to look at.
4. seats are comfortable with great sightlines everywhere.
5. the food concourse area where you can see the game is a great idea, not sure why Citifield didn’t do this.
6. getting in and out is fairly simple, and security isn’t as obtrusive as in the old stadium, thankfully. even some nice people, generally.
7. outside the stadium is easier to get around.
meat trays I like:
roast beef, turkey, ham, pepperoni, prosciutto
meat trays I don’t like:
Sergio
In regards to how loud it could get, havent been in the new stadium bleacher seats but at the old stadium in the bleachers for a regular game you could barely hear the person two seats over. Never experienced that in the new stadium.
I’ve sat in good seats, amazing seats and average seats at the new stadium, the only place I liked the food was field level behind home plate where you could get a chili cheese dog, so good! Otherwise food was a huge disappointment. Never got a HOT dog, it was always cold, every single solitary time. Not very appealing, and I’m talking midsummer day game, not April night game. Otherwise absolutely love the new stadium. I just hope that along with reducing payroll they reduce concession prices because unless youre buying field level seats you spend as much on food and drink as on the ticket if not more. It’s sick, amazing experience though
Some vegetarian options besides garlic fries would be nice. CBP in Philly is wonderful with this, and they’re actually really popular in the ballpark.
More diversity with beer. I am not a drinker of the Buds or the Millers. I’m not happy that I have to walk all the way to the Beers of the World stand on the Main Concourse to grab a Guinness. Maybe throw a few more of those stands up?
Even though it won’t happen, limit God Bless America to weekends and or holidays like someone mentioned. I realize that removing this song makes the Yankees look like terrorists at this point, but just do it already please.
Thanks for the Deniro movie suggestion. Was great.
I think Phil Suggested OUATIA
You can break your streak at the Stadium.
Just beef up the crowd sound somehow
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Have someone from the Yankees call the Indy Colts up. I think it was very successful for them until teams started making that the excuse for getting blown out.
Abdababdaserser
January 6th, 2010 at 7:40 pm
It amazes me how certain fans are so obsessive about Cotton Eyed Joe and YMCA. Its such a short, minor portion of the “show”. Yet, there are plenty of fans who rarely have gone to the stadium, and they enjoy it.
My son went for the first time to see a game at the Stadium this year, he was glad to see those things.
Yes, its corny, but if it bothers you that much time your beer run for when it happens and you can just ignore it.
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Not being among those fans who “rarely go the stadium” – but instead see about 90 percent of the home games – I am in sympathy with those who want to strangle Cotton-Eyed Joe. It’s time to change the program.
Beer runs don’t work – since I don’t drink at games. (Rarely, in any case).
i HATE ymca & cotton eyed joe– sooooo awful.
the montages before the playoffs this year were great…. does anyone know what the song was that began the montage where they showed each players name individually and their highlights?? (right before ‘i gotta feeling’ started) it worked perfect and ive been wondering what it is but i dont remember any lyrics and cant find any video of it online! help
More diversity with beer. I am not a drinker of the Buds or the Millers. I’m not happy that I have to walk all the way to the Beers of the World stand on the Main Concourse to grab a Guinness. Maybe throw a few more of those stands up?
I thought there were a lot of those.
I was fortunate enough to see the Yankees play against the Angles this season on May 1, 2009. The complaint I have about the new stadium is that I was not able to see out to the right field bleachers. Sitting in the left field bleachers this was what I experienced. I think Pete did a post or the Times may have touched on this. Since they have a bar right in the center of the stands your view is partially blocked. When I was at the game I missed the end result of a Jorge Posada home run due to the blocked view. What I’d like to see them do is either make the walls thick glass or cut into the bar by bringing the space back.
Other then that I think the stadium is great.
oh and i hate the moat. to agree with whoever mentioned that.
I will get drunk before games, eat before games, and generally avoid buying concessions there at all cost. I can no longer bring myself to buy a ten dollar beer and a six or eight dollar dog/sausage. The sad thing is you can’t bring your kid to a game and not buy him/her some of this stuff, so it’s really unfair to the parents. If it’s a temporary thing and they are working to reduce the cost no problem, if this is permanent and only going to increase, shame on them
Even more annoying, I must say, that CEJ – is the endless merch push on the big screen, and that chalk-across-the-blackboard voice of the girl with the microphone.
It is an endless assault. I know they aren’t going to stop pushing merch, but they should at least consider what all smart advertisers do, say, on the internet, and introduce a “frequency” cap.
On principle, I’m not buying a damned thing. Give me some breathing room to experience the ballpark, please.
I sometimes go to McDonalds before the game.
I think they need to have a 50/50 raffle where the two winners throw down UFC style on the screan under the Oneil Banner. You can make that on rain delays or 7th inning stretches. Also before the first inning of Joba’s outings so he can get a simulated inning done.
S.o.S.
January 6th, 2010 at 8:05 pm
GB7,
Im all for that. Bowa could hit two birds with one stone. Help Gardner, car pool with Johnson(saving gas)and get back to coaching 3rd base. 3 birds? Raines wouldnt be a bad option as well. Maybe Vince Coleman to teach him how to steal bases better?
————————————————————
His problem with stealing bases is that he waits until it gets to deep in the count and buries the hitter. That and when he’s in as a pinch runner, his only job is to steal and he stands there waiting for the perfect pitch to run on and it ended up costing a couple of games. You could see Girardi just smokin’.
Ralph, the beer prices are absurd. I go to my favorite Vietnamese restaurant in the city after the games, watch the postgame highlights at the bar (where they always show YES), and order Singhas.
Some arent as lucky as others to experience the old or new stadium. What and where is the Moat?
Can i suggest Yankees paying for someone to fly to New York and watch a game for free even if its nose blead seats? You can use the Igawa savings when you dfa him for that.
Do they have more of them? Provide locations so I know next time. I guess once I know where one of the stands are, I tend to just go there since I usually sit in the bleachers and thats the closest one. (as far as I know)
GB7,
Agree on all counts on the Gardner Improvement Plan.
And I would add in, learning to run better routes (not expecting much upgrade on getting jumps, as that’s more instinctual. but better routes are within grasp if he applies himself).
“But as a good defensive LF, who will hit .250-.280, hopefully use his speed better and distract the pitcher for the top of the order, I’m perfectly fine with it.”
Gardner probably will be closer to .250. As many have said, he has to learn how to bunt. And his throwing is slightly better than Damon.
Still think Cashman will get an outfielder to either platoon with Gardner or play left with Gardner as the 4th outfielder.
P.S. He’ll be a much better LF than a CF, for all the reasons I and others here have stated in the past.
I agree that Gardner needs to learn to bunt, but he is not that young. Surely, a left-handed hitter with his speed has been encouraged to bunt since he was in high school. I wonder why he hasn’t or can’t develop that skill. It isn’t that easy, but it would be a career changer for him.
Rose,
Agree on the .250. Man, I’m maxed out on this subject. Hoping we upgrade and if not, hoping GB’s improvement plan is taken on, adhered to, and produces acceptable results.
GB7,
I here that he is faster than Elsbury. I just think he can improve on getting better jumps if someone whos been there done that would help him. Like you said, he waits too long to just go. With speed like that, i wouldnt care if there was a pitch out. With stealing bases. Its not always how fast you are but more of how soon can you read and react.
The burgers at the new Stadium are brutal. We need to sign or trade for a new burger provider.
*****************************************
Bubba Burgers would be nice
austinmac,
Because he could get away with his approach in the minors.
But I agree, you’d think this guy, who will be 27 in August, would have a clue that his fortune is in his legs, and adjust his game accordingly.
While there’s breath, there’s hope, I guess.
Oh, just to be clear.
In my post, I was referring to getting “jumps” in the OF.
i also agree YMCA is old, its 2010, time to find a new song and dance. I think the Disco Stu kind of stuff is genuinely entertaining, fan interaction like that is always good. The scoreboard stuff is for the kids and I don’t feel strongly either way. Cotton Eye Joe…I can’t say I hate it, or even dislike it. I will say I wish we had a more respectable song (and I know you’re all going to hate me saying this) but Sweet Caroline at Fenway is an awesome experience that makes you cringe at the thought of Cotton Eye Joe. Whether youre inside Fenway or out, the whole crowd gets into and its a lot of fun, great song. We need something that is a great song, not a fun for the kids song, but a great song. Thank god for New York, New York
We were lucky enough to be at 2 playoff games some comeback wins, including Game 2 of the ALCS. I don’t sense the electricity that you got in the old ballpark. It’s not the fans’fault.
In the old Stadium the seats were right on top of the field. In the new place they are layered back. I’ve sat in the far reaches of the old place and couldnt hear myself talk and felt the building shake. In the new Stadium you barely feel part of the game if your in the end sections of the Grandstand.
The seats close to the field used to be filled with real fans. Now,inside the moat you see more aristocrats than baseball fans. It’s beneath them to scream at the opponents or cheer wildly for the Yanks.
The place doesnt have the same loudness, so it only seems less intense even though the real fans are going as nuts as always.
austinmac
January 6th, 2010 at 8:21 pm
I agree that Gardner needs to learn to bunt, but he is not that young. Surely, a left-handed hitter with his speed has been encouraged to bunt since he was in high school. I wonder why he hasn’t or can’t develop that skill. It isn’t that easy, but it would be a career changer for him.
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That’s the strange part, Mac. He was a very good bunter in the minors. It’s like he thought he was beneath that sort of thing. The worst thing that happened to him was hitting those two homers over the fence. He would only half try to bunt. I wanted to reach through the rv screen and slap up side the head with a stick.
What would I like to see in the new stadium next year?
More and more wins, baby … just bring us more wins.
Besides that, allowing beer in the bleachers would be nice.
little …Poker Face
Uncle,
It ain’t easy being a vegetarian at the Stadium, although at least there is ONE option – vegetarian sushi. It’s of high quality – as long as you don’t mind the stiff price.
We usually bring our own food, but when you don’t have the time, you’re stuck shelling out for the sushi.
I do not like where they posted the world series years won on the wall way back in right center field, why? It`s too far away and partially hidden. It should closer to the field like in the area behind homeplate. As a yankees fan I want us to show off how successfull our team is. After all winning world series is why you play right? What do you think?
I wish they would get to work on the teleporter, so I could make more games. Scotty, 161st and River.
Hey Ansky,
The beer is more expensive than the seat
.
“The internet is used more by kids not old enough to remember how bad things were in the Bronx in the 60’s and 70’s.”
MLB has been keeping official stats for well over 100 years. That’s how we know how many games Cy Young won and Ty Cobb’s career OBP.
Not sure how the internet is relevant to this discussion. And my version of a respectful discussion is respecting your intelligent and maturity enough to assume you can handle it when I tell you how long you’ve been a Yankee fan and where one can find stats that have been kept since the 19th century has NOTHING to do with this discussion.
“Brett is a fine player to have as a 4th outfieder/ pinch runner. He’s yet to prove he can be an everyday player.”
Which IS exactly on point. He’s got 345 ML Ab’s. Casting final judgment on him now is foolhearty, for those 75 to 15 and any age in-between.
Agreed .. Gardner bunting effectively would be good for him and the team. With his speed he could be a menace if he could bunt his way on with the best of them.
How about we change River Ave to Rivera Ave?
S.o.S.
January 6th, 2010 at 8:22 pm
GB7,
I here that he is faster than Elsbury. I just think he can improve on getting better jumps if someone whos been there done that would help him. Like you said, he waits too long to just go. With speed like that, i wouldnt care if there was a pitch out. With stealing bases. Its not always how fast you are but more of how soon can you read and react.
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he has problems going back on balls, but playing left should fix that. He has blinding speed going left and right.
Gardner is an atrocious baserunner in my opinion. Guy might be the fastest guy in the league, and Derek Jeter, Arod, Damon, and Melky all had equal or better bs %’s. No instincts, awful jumps, only time he makes things happen on the bases is when the defense make mistakes because they are rushing, not because he is just THAT fast. Imagine the 04 ALCS with him on first instead of Dave Roberts, no intimidation factor, none. When he pinchran in the playoffs I never felt the other team was very nervous about him. Let alone visibly shaking like our old buddy Tom Gordon
Bodhisattva …
on the beer !!!
Now that you mention it, that’s something else I’d like to see them address. And I don’t mean by raising the price of a seat out there to more than that of a beer!
they should have put the Yankee Tavern in the Stadium
“The seats close to the field used to be filled with real fans.”
If you’ve been around since the 60′s, 70′s and 80′s, you’d know the seats used to be filled with no fans. You’re old enough to remember the days when the Yankees played to 4-figure crowds.
Today’s fans aren’t “real fans”, they’re fans of the garden variety, who show up and cheer in far greater numbers when they’re reasonably assured of a good result.
That’s not a criticism, it’s a statement of simple fact.
And yes I understand he is ordered to steal more than those players so he is put in a more difficult situation. But 83%…? Pretty low for the guy is is considered to be possibly the fastest guy in the sport
Sorry GB, i was talking about base stealing jumps. I believe bod was talking about outfield reads.
the seats around the plate were 1250 at the old stadium, if you check, the new stadium its the same price, not sure about the sections behind the legends suites in the old stadium
It remains to be seen what will happen with the wind currents once the old Stadium is gone.
Covering up the metal fencing around the decks with heavy padding would help.
The roll call should ALWAYS be but Cotton Eye Joe has run his gamut. Techno music would be better.
The voice of Bob Sheppard with spot announcements on tape could be heard at various times other than the announcing of the Captain’s at bats Painting certain concrete walls “Yankee blue” would be a plus.
The Merto North station was a help.
Joe from Long Island – try being given a weeknight plan living near Philly. I’m hoping there will be an embracing of the now half-priced infield seats, leading to vacancies that cascade through the stadium that end up getting some of us partial weekend plan holders our seats back. I’ve got nice seats in 420A, which tells me I probably just missed the seniority cutoff to get a weekend plan – and maybe it’s better to sit there a few nights a year than to spend every Sunday in fair territory with a horrible view of the scoreboard…
The food is just okay – plenty of variety but not enough of it good. The Johnny Rockets hamburgers are awful; the shakes are barely mediocre. My wife is from Philly, tried the cheesesteak, pronounced it unfit for human consumption. If this is the best the Steinbrenner / Jerry Jones concession partnership can do, they need to break the deal and partner with someone else who knows food. They’re not going to be able to convince other stadiums that they should entrust their concessions to this partnership with the food in Yankee Stadium.
Maybe the Premium Offerings are better, but I can’t imagine the revenue generated by 45,000 hungry and thirsty fans isn’t more than what’s generated by the premium offerings.
The $15 steak sandwich and the garlic fries are the best things in the entire stadium. My wife loves the Moe’s Burrito. Haven’t found the fruit stand. But $10 hot chocolate in a souvenir cup? Please. Put it in a big paper cup and sell it for $3.
I don’t mind Disco Stu. Sometimes he’s on tape, but sometimes he’s actually live. I’ve had enough of the Great New York Subway Race – can the MTA get that jelly donut off the tracks already? The Match Game is well done; Pettitte does a very good Brady Bunch Kid impression looking around at the other squares.
Can they bring back that guy Bill “Talking Baseball” with the marbles in his mouth and the four teeth in his head? I think Poland Spring sponsored his ramblings… two seasons ago?
We both think its much easier to get around. Some of the program stands need to be relocated because they block traffic.
The center field restaurant needs to be demolished. To have that many obstructed view… er… architecturally shadowed seats in a brand new stadium is embarrassing.
Knock down the sports bar and put up a real, recessed batter’s eye so Monument Park doesn’t have that “cave” feeling?
Ansky,
LOL. That’s why I wait to have my Singhas at the Vietnamese place.
I did have a Bass in both Delta and Jim Beane lounge – $10 for that thing. And in Jim Beane, nowhere to sit. You pay extra for that dump, too. I guess as long as they call it the Jim Beane “Suite” – they feel justified.
S.o.S.
January 6th, 2010 at 8:34 pm
Sorry GB, i was talking about base stealing jumps. I believe bod was talking about outfield reads.
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Sorry, S.o.S. You guys look just alike except for the way you comb your hair and spell your name.
People here don’t whine enough that you now start threads encouraging it?
checked Chad’s interview with BC.
Cashman is a bad man
I miss the old place but really like the new place. I’d like to see more blue and less concrete. I’d like Monument Park to get out of the cave and to see bigger retired numbers in view. I’d like a lot less noise between innings and even between pitches. Definitely find a way to get people who will actually stay the whole game and care about it down near the field. Dedicate some scoreboard space to out-of-town scores and not just once in a while. Even the Mets got that right.
As for the food quality and prices, quality has been poor and prices have been out of control for a long time now so I gave up on it. I learned to get something to eat in the neighborhood before the game (plenty of great pizza and sandwiches) and bring in my own drinks and snacks.
Train station was a gift from God. Best thing of the whole package was the station, for us up in the burbs at least. Fun train ride home after a win too! Packed with fans! And I will admit right now, I’m biased against Gardner, can’t help it, just dont like him. Doubt I ever will. One important physical chance, make the walls along the lines just before the foul poles higher, way too many ground rule doubles where they weren’t in the old stadium, its hitter friendly enough w/o the low walls there
I wish they’d get rid of that horrendous version of God Bless America. Can’t we play something from this century?
I think something minor should be done re: front row fans in the outfield & their ability to reach the balls.
I also think it truly is ridiculous that 1/2 the field level seats are empty. they have to do something about that. Maybe upgrading seats after the 7th to field level. it even takes away from the environment ie noise from the crowd.
All in all, I love the stadium. Great food, obviously beautiful.
JoeyA,
When I hear Kate Smith, I expect to look down and see Bobby Clarke lining up at center ice, with Bernie Parent in goal.
Nick in SF…..UCLA + 16.5 is where it’s at tonight vs. your Cal-Berkley Bears……Are you going to Berkley tonight for the game ????? Marcus Thames as the right handed option to Gardner, if Gardner is the option on left ??????
Hey Pat M,
Hope you’re feeling better.
My GF was a super jock and she has major lockup on her knees, depending on the day. Can’t do stairs, especially down. I give her reflexology on her feet and it helps ease the pain – knee reflex, hip reflex, adrenals and kidneys reflexes…Might be a nice adjunct therapy for you, if you haven’t tried.
I agree with Jim. Growing up as you all know we could go down if not to the field pretty darn close. Now you cant even go into the field level seats until the bottom of the ninth. It’s ridiculous and a slap in the face to the fans who actually care enough to stay, or might not be able to afford those seats but will hang around for the chance to experience an inning or two in them from time to time. Whats the harm with a fan friendly security force? Some have been, surprised how many are total jerks not letting me back into my seats because i left my tickets at my seat even as I point to my friends/family and have to walk over multiple sections to get it. This has happened to me in the ninth inning, and it was on the second deck, wasn’t even field level! What is that? I wish I got his name and reported him. Gives a bad rep to the security guards who aren’t jerks.
All in all, love the stadium, amazing in so many ways, cant wait to reup my season tickets, only speaking so negatively because we’ve been asked to. I think this might be my favorite team to watch since Donny Baseball was at first, and then it was not really the team as much him. I really hope everything from last year carry’s over as I expect it will, they were such a great team to watch
do something about monument park…. better selection of beers, no more ymca, and please god no more discu stu
personally, I Think Curtis would have a better overall year than Gardner in LF
Yankee Stadium needs more seating/picnic areas. Once you buy your expensive food there is no place to sit down with it (other than your seat). I actually miss the old Sidewalk Cafe a lot. Sharing my table with fellow Yankee strangers was one of my favorite stadium experiences
LOL. At least disco stu is an authentic phenomenon, though.
He’s some guy who went nuts and the camera picks him up.
That beats phony, front-office induced crap 24/7. Hey – at least it’s not like the Jets with that ridiculous Flight Crew. Now THAT is an embarrassment. The Giants, for instance, would never sully their field with cheerleaders. This is supposed to be New York (err..New Jersey, but the point stands).
“In the old Stadium the rows were much more steep and vertical in relation to the field.My observation is that this is the reason the crowd noise isn’t nearly as loud”
I think the reason the crowd iant as loud is because of the openess of the walkway that goes around the stadium where the concessions are. the old stadium you only had the small tiny entrance ways to get into the actual area to see the game. now its a lot more open. plus as mentioned the vertical aspect hurts it as well.
….There’s also Freddie, who is real – not a front-office invention.
Besides, who could make up Freddie?
Bod…The shots I get in my left knee serves as lubricate to help with the bone on bone situation…It’s an alternative to knee replacement for now…..I do get something similar from my acupuncturist…..Outstanding for the organs and the body…..Same principle only with little pins and needles……The feet are a map to the body….
“personally, I Think Curtis would have a better overall year than Gardner in LF”
You’re really going out on a limb…
Is it too much to ask for urinal dividers in the higher levels of the stadium? Apparently, only rich people prefer these so the best sections get the dividers. And who made that call when designing the construction budget?
My comments are minimal I really do love the new place. In the playoffs they fixed some of the issues I had earlier on ie putting ball and strike count in more than just at the top of the big screen (they added other places during post season)
Like the new version of match game and some of the other “games” much more 2010 and not so old looking.
However first thing I would do is get rid of TARA. Do not know who she is or how she got her job but she is god awful and her voice although it got better as the year went on I think they turned down her volume is it completely annoying.
They need to have more places they sell garlic fries other than just rf area lol.
If you’re still out there, Erin, here you go:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9.....451651434/
Pat M, you are very fortunate if you’re getting +16.5…. it is Cal -14 on my book right now. I think they figured out that Jorge Gutierez is out for the game. I am not particularly comfortable with such a big number, so I am playing it very lightly and a bit more in a couple teasers to bring the number lower. But I think the Golden Bears will show no mercy… I hope they win by 15 or 16 points.
That’s great Pat, glad you’re doing the acupuncture.
It’s a little humbling, all those meridians and nerve endings…
Best of health to you.
Erica there is places to sit with food on the main level of the stadium they have tables and chairs set up. Yes they should have more that is the ONLY thing I like about Citifield is that where all the food is sold they do have quite a few tables
Nick,
I’m all over P1000516.
2 minor points.
1- The old auxiliary scoreboards, at field level in left and right, would display the inning totals in yellow, rather than white numbers, until the 1/2 inning was completed. How about springing for that, for a little bit more accurate nostalgia?
2-At the kosher stand upstairs, the knishes are cold. C’mon guys, warm them properly.
gayle
January 6th, 2010 at 9:04 pm
Erica there is places to sit with food on the main level of the stadium they have tables and chairs set up. Yes they should have more that is the ONLY thing I like about Citifield is that where all the food is sold they do have quite a few tables
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the actual tables and chairs are in the 200s, but you usually have to wait for someone to get up. We often sit in 200s (we like to sell our seasons on stubhub and seat hop).
The main level has those standup tables, but no chairs, as far as I know?
ExNooYorka,
” Joe from Long Island – try being given a weeknight plan living near Philly.”
Try being given a weeknight plan and livinng in Massachusetts. It’s a 350 mile round trip for us.
January 6th, 2010 at 9:06 pm
GB7:
“It’s a little early, but, he’s better than Jerry Kenney (Bubba Crosby was better than Kenney).”
As I recall Jerry Kenney was really hyped when he was a prospect. Kenney and Bobby Murcer were supposed to be the next generation, taking over from Mantle and the other Yankee stars of the early sixties. Both were drafted or volunteered to go fight in Vietnam. Lost two years and in Kenney’s case some of the shine that was to make him a star.
Comet
akamgkrebs
January 6th, 2010 at 9:06 pm
2 minor points.
1- The old auxiliary scoreboards, at field level in left and right, would display the inning totals in yellow, rather than white numbers, until the 1/2 inning was completed. How about springing for that, for a little bit more accurate nostalgia?
2-At the kosher stand upstairs, the knishes are cold. C’mon guys, warm them properly.
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Yes, that bothers me about the numbers not being in yellow.
Hey, are the knishes potato or meat?
Whoever asked about the fruit stand this past season it was located at the end of the great hall right near the entrance to gate 4 not sure if that is where it will be next year.
All I don’t like is that you can’t get the standard peanuts and cracker jacks at every stand! Only one level in the park? Poor form.
Everything else, I love or don’t care enough about to comment on.
Bod-
200 level is main level lol at least to me thats where my seats are in the 200′s and I always thought that was main level. I think the level below is called field level.
gayle, you can get garlic fries on the 300 level as well, all the way down in LF.
They are ridiculously good.
Gayle,
Of course you are correct. Field was what I was referring to.
Careful, bodhi, those are pork dumplings. Mmmmmm, they were good.
Pat M: I forgot, no Berkeley trip for me tonight, but I am going to the game vs. U$C on Saturday.
The fruit is very good, too.
I routinely buy the pineapple.
I know garlic fries are my fav at the stadium best new thing. they should have them at more than one area of the stadium on each level they would sell a bunch more. My seats are 200 and only place to get them on my level is all the way rf they should have one in rf and one in lF.
Also forgot to mention the cheesteaks the Carl’s ones that are stand alone stands are very good as well.
I was there for A-Rod’s home run in the ALDS in the ninth inning.
That was insane.
Bring back dippin dots!! Other than that the stadium is perfect!
The scoreboard antics and the music are too much. Some people spend the whole game doing nothing but trying to picked up by the scoreboard camera. One of the best games I ever attended was a couple of years ago when there was a blackout in the area but Yankee Stadium ran on a generator. There was no music, no scoreboard and no announcements; just baseball. Maybe they could have a game a couple of times a year in which there is only announcements and an organ, like I suppose it was in the old days.
Nick, I figured. They look luscious, all the same.
There’s a blessed little korean woman (I swear she must be 4 feet tall) in an old north jersey town called englewood who makes a tofu dumpling that always makes me ask “you SURE there’s no meat in here?”
I missed the Sound Man this year. That was the feature in the 1st inning where the players chose the song. I found the categories and the players answers really fun to watch.
the thing i like about the only game i went too was paying 20 bucks & sitting in 1200 dollar seats very very close too the field
Oh- and I also missed the bakery where they had cookies with the players faces on it. You need a place that is convenient to get sweets besides icecream.
Jessica,
A generic chocolate bar would do. I’d even settle for Ben & Jerry’s chocolate-covered ice cream bars – they had these across the street. I’m not doing that soft serve.
turkey burgers = excellent idea
from the time of discovering them, have been campaigning (not literally) for ny pizza shops to offer turkey saussage as an optional topping. If for no other reason, then for this: there is a greater liklihood in customers remaining free of heart attacks, and thus will remain a customer for a longer period of time.
it is a win-win
Nick, that is a seriously awesome page you have there. Will have to explore more deeply.
As part of his new seven year, $120MM contract, Matt Holliday will be collecting paychecks from the Cardinals through 2029 according to the AP (via SI.com). As you know, the contract calls for a $17MM annual salary through 2016 with an option for 2017, however $2MM is deferred without interest each season. Depending on whether or not the option is picked up/vests, Holliday will be paid either $1.4MM or $1.6MM on July 15th every year from 2020 to 2029.
Just for some perspective, Holliday will be 49 years old on July 15th, 2029.
don’t know if this have been posted:
6:56pm: Clark Spencer of The Miami Herald tweets that internally, the Marlins have “conceded defeat” in the Chapman sweepstakes
Thanks, bodhi. It is in dire need of updating, at least with some more ALCS pics I took. One of these days…
jtc
January 6th, 2010 at 9:15 pm
The scoreboard antics and the music are too much. Some people spend the whole game doing nothing but trying to picked up by the scoreboard camera
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Kill the scoreboard.
The good and the bad about the Stadium is how user-friendly it is. If you told me I could have my smelly old ballpark back tomorrow, I wouldn’t flinch – transport me across the street right now.
BUT: it is much easier, breezier to navigate the new place. It’s much more comfortable.
The downside is, because you can see the game from just about anywhere, people are peripatetic in their viewing. There’s an unsettled feeling because people keep popping up and milling. I find that distracting – it was a nightmare during the WS, especially.
“Just for some perspective, Holliday will be 49 years old on July 15th, 2029.”
I think that’s also the year the Knicks stop paying Larry Johnson.
We went to Citifield, too. When the place started to fill up, there were nowhere near enough seats there, either. In fact, we got their very early and even then, we had to wait for people to get up. You do have to share tables, but that’s cool.
Also, it got really congested in their main food court area – difficult to move around and through it as it got closer to game time.
Love the garlic fries, my friend and I were just talking today about how we might have a garlic fries party on Opening Night. It is sad that there’s only one garlic fries station per floor though.
I liked all the info people standing outside and in the stadium with those “How Can I Help You?” signs. I used them, and they were very friendly. It was good that they thought of this, especially in the first year when it was new to everyone.
Things were fairly easy to find, and lots of bathrooms.
I definitely would switch the songs up, and stop YMCA – the maintenance guys are not having fun with it anymore.
Hey, are the knishes potato or meat?
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The standard square gabila knishes
I’m not going to lie; I love the Cotton Eyed Joe. My friends and I have been dancing to that song at Yankee games since we’re teenagers. Its just something silly to do. I understand most people find that song annoying, but I think its fun. There are 4 songs that I will forever associate with Yankee Stadium: CEJ, YMCA, Enter Sandman, and of course, New York New York.
As for the stadium itself, the first time I went to a game it was a little weird. My friend said it was like “being at school at night”; kinda familiar but odd at the same time. I ended up going to 8 games this year and I really do love the stadium. The big screen is amazing. I also absolutely love the pictures all throughout the place ( my favorites are in the food court; the Babe chowing on a hot dog and a very young Jeter pouring milk into his cereal)
I went to 3 playoff games- and i still have that “walkoff” song stuck in my head- they would count down “10, 9, 8..” etc.. and show all the walkoffs. I loved it.
“friend said it was like “being at school at night”
wow this is an awesome quote
I’m not sure if sam or Chad will see this but after watching my favorite winter teams choke I have nothing to look forward to now. Is it possible to have a countdown clock to when the pitchers and catchers report? I will write a formal email to Sam and Chad tomorrow. Is there anyone with me on this one?
I am on the get rid of Disco Stu bandwagon..the Nets need crap like that to keep people entertained…not necessary in Yankee Stadium…
Monument Park also should b expanded, especially when there’s gonna be some new numbers being retired soon enough..
YMCA’s not going away Im assuming but it would b nice if it would, and as for baseball related tweaks they should try to remove the right field scoreboard and make that wall curved as it was in the old Stadium, that made the dimensions shorter….
Peter Gammons is on MLB Network right now…ugh.
While that black eyed peas song isnt my first choice…….my final game I went to this year…Sept 11th…Jeters Gehrig beating hit…..they played that song earlier in the night before he did it and it surely was fitting for the evening and made everyone buzz with anticipation
russel,
great idea. i’m in.
There is no doubt the new Stadium is a beautiful place, and home to its very own championship, but that being said …It does not produce the electricity and the energy of the old “Real” Yankee stadium. Which at times was not just eletric but Nuclear ! Sorry still love my Yankees, But there will always be just 1 Yankee stadium to me, you can replicate the body and its features, but not its heart soul.
They never show replays of close plays onthe scoreboard. Never.
Cotton-eye Joe’s gotta go. Seriously, is there another song that has less to do with New York than this obnoxious mess?
Yankee Truth,
Agree whole heartedly, although even the Old Yankee Stadium wasn’t the Real Yankee Stadium….I’ll never forget my Dad walking in the first time he saw the renovations.
“They ruined it…”
He said.
Johnny Damon just mentioned as a possible SFG pickup and a “great fit” on their flagship sports talk station.
akamgkrebs
January 6th, 2010 at 9:40 pm
Hey, are the knishes potato or meat?
———————————-
The standard square gabila knishes
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Thanks, had no idea what that meant until I looked it up. My food horizon expanded a little. Where “upstairs” is the kosher stand?
Nick – Is Scott Boras visiting the Bay area?
eric in queens
January 6th, 2010 at 10:07 pm
They never show replays of close plays onthe scoreboard. Never.
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They didn’t at the old place, either.
First of all, they don’t want to show up the umps, which is understandable. But you’ll never see a replay on something that doesn’t put us in a good light.
I hate that, but that’s the way most parks do it.
NYY626
January 6th, 2010 at 9:48 pm
I’m not going to lie; I love the Cotton Eyed Joe. My friends and I have been dancing to that song at Yankee games since we’re teenagers. Its just something silly to do. I understand most people find that song annoying, but I think its fun.
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To each his/her own, NYU626. Enjoy without guilt
No more YMCA or Great Subway Race!
I was at the Damon walkoff game. I loved the new stadium, I really did. I just had a blast. I sat down the LF line, and the sightline was great. I liked the scoreboard. The seats were roomy and comfortable. And the atmosphere was great. I would definitely go back.
Bodhi,
You’re right, but it still drives me crazy. However, Even plays that aren’t controversial aren’t shown though. I wouldn’t mind seeing a homer or diving catch a second time on that massive screen. The Angels actually showed that botched call with Posada & Cano both in third in the playoffs and it sounded like a riot was about to break out.
Joe: it was one of the Giants’ radio guys hosting a weekly hot stove show. But maybe it was really Boras jamming the broadcast.
Nick in SF…..I booked that game early this morning and I threw a Grant on the money line ( $ 1000.00 )…..( $ 1500.00 the backway )…Now that line is off the board, overs 146.5….no play on the overs……
Live from the Control Room! Cotton Eyed Joey! Listen, it’s not just that its a techno version from a Swedish Band recorded in 1994. Or that they got a stereotypical caricature of a southern white bozo stumbling around in a straw hat. Or that the roots of the song are over 200 years old and that many version of the song have racist lines about Cotton Eye Joe being a blue-eyed slave who stoles his white master’s wife. No, it’s not just about any of those things. It’s about all of them, combined with the fact that it is old, tired, lame, and the production values of the video are awful. Most importantly, the stadium is in the Bronx! New York City! We are urban. Sometimes even urbane!
We’re not rednecks, nor should we feel the need to laugh at fake rednecks or pretend we are for even just a minute. I know it’s just a silly song for people to dance along to, and I’m getting a little worked up. But it IS a dumb song whose time was over long ago, it should never have become any sort of tradition…
Thanks, had no idea what that meant until I looked it up. My food horizon expanded a little. Where “upstairs” is the kosher stand?
====================================================
Ouri’s was located at around section 421, as a stand alone stand. Not there on Fri nights or Saturday afternoons.
No guarantee that they’ll be there this year; at old stadium there was a different kosher caterer and things could change again in 2010; also location was changed in mid season from 407 to 421, so who knows where it’ll be in 2010. One thing for sure, there will be some sort of kosher stand.
No more YMCA.
Overhaul the concession stands. Many games I went to the lines were ridiculous and not all of the stands were open. And it took forever to get your order.
Also no more pc Richard whistle every time there is a strikeout and no gotta go to mo’s when there is a stolen base.
Follow the other 29 teams and get rid of God Bless America altogether. It was a genuine show of patriotism immediately following 9/11 but now it comes across as forced and jingoistic. And yes, if we must have it, please find a better recording.
Nigel January 6th, 2010 at 10:39 pm
No more YMCA.
Overhaul the concession stands. Many games I went to the lines were ridiculous and not all of the stands were open. And it took forever to get your order.
Also no more pc Richard whistle every time there is a strikeout and no gotta go to mo’s when there is a stolen base.
_______________
The PC Richard whistle will remain – unfortunately. It’s safe to say that it is a paid advertisement.
Pat M, I trust you know what you’re doing. I do hope your basketball account will be robust after the final whistle.
I like UCLA’s energy early on. The program does have a sense of pride and poise, typical of some in the southland…
Enough!
I’ll meet any of you punks under the O’Neill banner at 12:10 SHARP.
Just remember to watch your mouths because I’ll be bringing my little brother along, he’s only 12. I don’t want any of you hooligans messing with him!
Follow the other 29 teams and get rid of God Bless America altogether. It was a genuine show of patriotism immediately following 9/11 but now it comes across as forced and jingoistic. And yes, if we must have it, please find a better recording.
———————————————————
Why not get rid of the playing of the National Anthem before the start of the game, a tradition that started after the onset of World War II? Now people actually applaud after they playing of the Anthem, which is a bunch of muddled confusion.
Fans used to applaud after the umpire said, “Play ball”.
Then they started playing the Anthem, immediately before the start of the game,so the applause was not for the Anthem, but that the game was about to begin. These days, people applaud the Anthem without ever responding to the ump’s signal that the game should begin:
It’s not a bad thing that we play another song during the 7th inning stretch at Yankee Stadium; New York felt the brunt of 9/11, we just want to memorialize it, just as the Anthem playing memorializes the attack on Pearl Harbour.
The GBA thing is sooo played.
Went to about 40 games this year. I love the new Stadium. Exiting the ballpark in the hidden exit behind the guest services is great. Moving around in general is great. Love that you can stand and watch the game from field level. Bought crappy seats on stubhub and stood a few times this season . The food is good for stadium food the real labels downstairs is great. My buddy and I did enjoy the chicken sliders aand fries. But 8 out of ten times its a sandwich from my man at Twin Doughnut . I always bring in drinks and snacks. Scoreboard is great but sometimes i have trouble reading the players stats. The in between innings stuff is not may bag and i laugh at them but for the people who go for fun with kids it is cool. I do love the bat pics and yelling that is is Matsui no matter who it is. I had the time of my life at the new stadium . Only playoff games i missed where game 1 and 2 of the world series
oh and please replace YMCA with anything even the locomotion or electric slide
@ sw1000- I love the idea of putting the padding on every seat in the stadium. The weakness of Yankee Stadium is clearly the difference between the haves and have nots, and I agree that luxury seats would help to bridge that gap.
I also love the touch of having a steakhouse in the Stadium. Feels like Babe Ruth inspired the hunk of meat/baseball combo…
If possible Damon to the Giants. Would love to see his huge head flailing in that ocean of a field.
akamgkrebs
January 6th, 2010 at 10:33 pm
Thanks, had no idea what that meant until I looked it up. My food horizon expanded a little. Where “upstairs” is the kosher stand?
====================================================
Ouri’s was located at around section 421, as a stand alone stand. Not there on Fri nights or Saturday afternoons.
No guarantee that they’ll be there this year; at old stadium there was a different kosher caterer and things could change again in 2010; also location was changed in mid season from 407 to 421, so who knows where it’ll be in 2010. One thing for sure, there will be some sort of kosher stand.
====
Thanks, very kind of you.
I’ll be on the lookout.
Bob Shirley’s Rubber Arm
January 6th, 2010 at 10:31 pm
Live from the Control Room! Cotton Eyed Joey! Listen, it’s not just that its a techno version from a Swedish Band recorded in 1994. Or that they got a stereotypical caricature of a southern white bozo stumbling around in a straw hat. Or that the roots of the song are over 200 years old and that many version of the song have racist lines about Cotton Eye Joe being a blue-eyed slave who stoles his white master’s wife. No, it’s not just about any of those things. It’s about all of them, combined with the fact that it is old, tired, lame, and the production values of the video are awful. Most importantly, the stadium is in the Bronx! New York City! We are urban. Sometimes even urbane! We’re not rednecks, nor should we feel the need to laugh at fake rednecks or pretend we are for even just a minute. I know it’s just a silly song for people to dance along to, and I’m getting a little worked up. But it IS a dumb song whose time was over long ago, it should never have become any sort of tradition…
====
LMAO.
Are you the same Bob Shirley on PSD?
First of all…as a lifetime Yankee fan, I greatly prefer the “real” Stadium over the new one.
It has history, magic, a spirit.
This new version is indeed spectacular, but I could be in Cleveland or Anaheim or anywhere, USA.
Specifically…I do NOT like the concourses. People see it as a nice place to socialize. That’s fine…but it keeps them out of their seats and makes the stadium feel empty. If you come to see the game…watch the game!
The seats themselves should have been angled more towards home plate, insyead of having to crane one’s neck.
I was very excited when I first heard about the food offerings…but truth is it is at best medicore. Nothing outstanding or “signature”, other than the smell of the garlic fries…and the Lobel’s $15 steak sandwich. Even my beloved Nathan’s fries don’t taste like the real thing. And why can’t they make a good burger??
The music is fine (I like Jay Z). But the combo of constant music, games and advertising take away the feeling of being at a “ball park”.
Having said that…I de re-up for season’s tickets. I love my team.
eric in queens
January 6th, 2010 at 10:25 pm
Bodhi,
You’re right, but it still drives me crazy. However, Even plays that aren’t controversial aren’t shown though. I wouldn’t mind seeing a homer or diving catch a second time on that massive screen. The Angels actually showed that botched call with Posada & Cano both in third in the playoffs and it sounded like a riot was about to break out.
====
Eric,
SItting in 200s near the pressbox is great, because you can see the replays there.
Failing that, I agree it is frustrating. I’m often phoning up friends for confirmation of stuff.
Agree but the first time I took my older brother to the Stadium, he looked up at the facade, and there were tears rolling down his cheeks.
“That is MY facade”, he said.
That was my whole family’s facade.
My mother had a similar emotional reaction. She’s 86. My Dad’s earth life line is the same as Yankee Stadium: 1923-2008.
I should say, the first time I took him to the NEW Stadium.
Cotton Eye Joe and the YMCA need to go. And there should be dividers between the urinals on the upper level men’s rooms. Other then that I love the new Stadium.
the new Stadium, primarily because it restores the facade, actually makes me feel like i’m seeing the original Yankee Stadium, pre-1976. The renovated 1976-2008 version of the old Stadium still had charm, but the removal of the facade – the original Stadium’s most distinct feature – always disappointed me.
So while i miss the old place, and can find flaws in the new one – the disgraceful sports bar blocking the bleacher view, the poor placement of the monuments, the ticket price spike – seeing the Yankees play under the facade again was awesome to see.
Here’s my two cents based on the 8 games I got to
Good Stuff:
1. I kinda like Monument “Cave” I think it kinda feels like the ghosts are down there…creeping up ojust over the wall. Kinda eery like. Although if you sit up high enough every part of monument park is clearly visible. Pete’s seats were always too good for him to understand that.
2. Love the great hall, will be a disticntive of the stadium forever.
3. Food was good some days horrible other days. Same with the staff. Some games they were helpful and even cheerful, others they were checking your ticket again and again in the uppper deck in the 8th inning…in the upper deck…why? In general the food could reflect more of a NY feel than it currently does…is Johnny Rockets a NY thing?
4. The atmosphere outside the sadium has a dramtically better(safer) feel to it. Although I would suggest more could be done…way better than the old stadium…anyone know what’s officially happening to the old stadium….that will play hugely into the feel outside.
5. Sightlines as long as you aren;t in the bleachers is wonderful, although in 205 you can’t see the RF wall catches.
6. Kudos to the NYPD for how visible they were all season. Keeping the place a class act.
7. Love that God Bless America is still being played…people that have problems with it should take a hike.
Bad Stuff:
1. Food inconsistencies(quality and selection)….Five Guys would be way better than Johnny Rockets.
2. Subway station wasn’t even touched, upgraded or expanded. Yeah you can get out of the stadium faster but you can’t move outside the stadium.
3. I expected more of the bathrooms…not a big deal though.
4. The abundance of gray concrete outside the stadium is cool, but more blue on the inside would be a welcome addition to make it feel more like the old stadium.
5. Unless you are facing the big screen the score/count is only in the deep corners on the ribbon board…too few of places. The ribbon board could stand to change a lot less with ads. Alright I get it you want me to buy a Nathan’s HotDog but your ugly yellow signs make me feel like Yankee Stadium is home to the A’s or something.
6. YMCA is a tired act. It’s far from classy. So in that vein cut Cotton Eyed Joe too. You can make it kid friendly without bringing in the clown songs.
Fix Monument Park so it is less like a cave, coke not pepsi, curve stands in right field
http://www.facebook.com/home.p.....291?ref=ts
they must get rid of the ymca next year plus cotton eye joey. those are the only two things that bother me about the new yankee stadium
More Lighting in the upper deck!
Ive been saying it since opening day, its dark during night games. You feel like you’re in a movie, not at a ballgame. The upper decks were imposing, loud, and bright at the old stadium. At the new one they are set back far from the field, dark, and gloomy.
High drama in Berkeley!
Nick in SF……OT in Berkley
I enjoyed the New Stadium. I live upstate so was only able to attend 3 games there. But did go to game 1 of the ALDS. I liked the Hot Dogs lol. But I agree the Black eyed peas song was so over played. My Time by Fabolous should have been played more instead of that lame I got a feeling song.
In fact how are the black eyed peas even popular anymore there live performances for NFL kickoff and on New Years eve were complete trash. Give it up guys you suck!
The absence of Jorge Gutierez looms very large…
Went to many games during regular season, Game 1 vs. Twins Game 1 vs. LAA and Game 6 in the World Series. all 3 times left with no voice and felt at home. Our home.
Adding to my last comment. Eminem’s Relapse was no where near his standards and still should have killed the Black Eyed Peas with more radio play. I have no idea how it didn’t.
Sam- agree with the turkey burgers comment.
Pros:
1) Great Hall- One of the best stadium/ park entrances in all of baseball.
2) Kept the great subway race
3) All the greeters at the gates to welcome you. It doesn’t feel like you are entering jail. (How do I get one of their jobs?)
4) Metro North Stop- I came down with my brother one time from Upstate. It was AWESOME and hassle free.
5) Area under/behind the bleachers where they display the retired numbers.
Improvements:
1) Let fans down during batting practice. Even if they just open up some of the luxury seats so that kids can get up close.
2) No more YMCA and Cotton Eye Joe!! Please stop!! It was bad enough in the old stadium.
3) Get some local food vendors/ restaurants. It’s one thing Citi Field got right! Wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy Burger from Burger Joint, Hot Dogs from Gray’s Papaya, a Sandwich from Katz’s Deli, or a beer from McSorley’s.
4) No Public wireless. With the game changing so much as fans interact on blogs like this one, wouldn’t it be great to have faster access to a blog during the game.
5) PC Richards and Sons whistle after every strikeout has to go.
Nightmare in Berkeley!
Beware the wounded Bruin… congrats, Pat M.
Nick in SF……Frankly I’m stunned…Happily stunned, but never the less stunned……The money line was a long shot dice roll….
MLBTR reports that Matt Holliday will be paid up until the year 2029 from the Cardinals, because of the way the contract is written. Matt will be 49 yrs before the contract is paid.
Yankees fan be thankful we have Cashman!
Overall, love the new stadium. Wish they would tear down the old one, though – it’s sad going by on the 4 and peeking through the gaps to see it gutted, no field, weeds growing all over the place. I miss it only for the memories.
Anyways, here’s what I can think of off the top of my head…
Easy Stuff
1. Open up Monument Park by adding the same kind of outfield walls they have in front of the bullpens – windows with padding around them. Granderson will be able to handle it.
* See below for other way to open up Monument Park more.
2. Second folks who want to get rid of YMCA and Cotton Eyed Joe. Isn’t the field crew tired of dancing?
3. Like scoreboard games, especially subway race, but shell game with ball under the hat is way too easy. At Camden Yards the shell game marker goes under a crab that burrows into the sand and makes all sorts of difficult moves.
4. More hot dog condiments. Go take a look at the Citi Field toppings bar – different kinds of mustard, relish, two kinds of sauerkraut, onions, delicious.
Bit more difficult
1. It has been said a thousand times over but something seriously has to be done about the moat. It is ridiculous to see the sparsely filled seats in front of the packed second tier. Either lower the prices or make folks who buy those tickets sign an agreement to either get to the game by the 3rd or forfeit the seat as an upgrade to someone else.
2. Only play “New York, New York” once post-game. With all due respect to Sinatra, it gets to be a little much if you’re trying to hang around, particularly after Game 6, and the same song is looped a dozen times over. Why not add the old Yankees theme song back into the mix?
Fat chance
1. Bring back the black seats. Get rid of the tinted atrocity that is the Mohegan Sun Sports Bar. It OBs a number of bleacher seats and makes Monument Park the cavern it is.
2. Take down huge “YANKEE STADIUM” lettering in left field. We know where we are.
as others have said, more replay on the board, even if it doesn’t go the yankees’ way or “shows up” the ump. food’s pretty good, and i was impressed with the staff at every game i went to throughout the season. and while there’s really nothing the yankees can do about this, i agree with people who say the new stadium is unfortunately a much quieter place. definitely an annoyance in the regular season, a little less so in the ALDS and ALCS games i went to, but then the lack of noise was pathetic during game 1 of the WS. yes, the weather was lousy, but come on…
anybody have the “showdown” video. Would like to see it again
To me, the biggest problem by far was the lack of a homey feeling at the ballpark. Unless you have seats up front (and a lot of cash), it’s impossible to get close to the game, even during batting practice. That to me, is one of the best parts of the game for most people, especially little kids or first-timers. Getting to be close to the field during batting practice lets you get close to the players, maybe get an autograph, maybe catch a home run,and just be near the action. I was very upset to see that no one was allowed near unless their seats were there. Why do only the rich people get to be close to the action? Would letting people down for batting practice really be such a bad thing? I feel it’s a really serious issue and completely takes away from the atmosphere of coming to a baseball game, and hopefully changes can be made! Please tell this to Lonn Trost please, Sam and Chad!!!!
John,
Here’s your “Showdown” video along with a collection of other Yankee videos. These are really well done. Enjoy!
http://newyorkblips.dailyradar.....-showdown/
Avi,
If you get there early enough, you can get close to the field during batting practice. You just can’t sit in the section directly behind home plate, but you wouldn’t want to be there anyway because you can’t see much due to the batting cage.
I love everything about the new stadium. I think the workers are much more polite, and it feels so much safer and more comfortable. In the old place, you could barely move in the concourse of the upper deck to get to your seat right before game time. In the new place, there’s plenty of space. I still think the best seat value in the place is the Upper Deck behind home plate. I don’t think those seats feel any farther away than they did in the old place. (BTW – if you want far away, try the Padres park – the upper deck there feels like you’re looking down on the game from an airplane).
I wasn’t very adventurous with the food. If I was in the Jim Beam suite it was the Food Network cheeseburgers (one of the best of all time, IMO). When I was in the cheap seats it was a Nathan’s dog, just like across the street
Here is the video a few of you asked for. Who knows if any of you are still on here.
http://www.dailymotion.com/vid.....down_sport
When I was a kid in the 50′s, I didn’t care about nuttin but Yankee baseball. If most people want music you have IPod’s….Back when I attended the series where Koufax waxed my Yankees and I witnessed many Yankee stars, we were allowed to bring in our own food. Mom would always make great Italian grinders. Man oh man (rip Mel Allen) that’s all I needed. So here’s to the future…P.S. Put some good Italian grinders on the menu.
I only went to one game, but here are my impressions.
Pluses.
1. Easy to walk around.
2. Field views.
3. Main entrance and hall of heroes, with flags of all the famous players is breath-taking. Very cool
Minuses
1. Food. Yawn. I waited inline for a cheese steak sammie and it was nearly tasteless. No peppers. No jalepños. Worst of all NO CONDIMENTS. Just foil packets of mustard and ketchup. No mayo. No hot sauce. No salt. No pepper How hard would it be to add those items.
2.Tunnel under monuments park. Bleak. It’s like something out of a prison
3. Peanut Gallery. Dugout Tier Reserved. Section 315, row 7, which is the last row in this section and buts up against the floor of the concourse. However, they put a row of folding chairs above us on the concourse. Anything with crumbs of flecks these people eat gets blown into our hair. This was happening to EVERYONE in the row. Everyone’s hair was full of peanut skins and popcorn. And fight almost started until we realized that the wind was blow this stuff into our hair. There needs to be a 5 to 10-inch ridge on the edge of the concourse to prevent this…especially for 95-buck seats.
4. Blind ID checks. I’m 46 years old, my friend is 50. We got carded every single time we bought a beer…by girls in their 20s. I understand it’s a policy, but it’s an absolutely ridiculous policy. Same as making old ladies take off their shoes at the air port. Please uses some common sense Mr. Trost.
More vegetarian options would be great….I stop at a local deli and buy my food. I’m so grateful the Yankees allow us to bring food into the stadium. I love everything about the new stadium, except for the YMCA – I was sick of it at OYS.
I don’t really like the new stadium (NYS), especially compared to the old one (OYS). I miss the feeling at OYS where you emerge from a tunnel to see the field – that was always a great feeling. Now you can see the field from everywhere (some see that as a plus, but I don’t).
I also found NYS to be very quiet. I was last at NYS for the game against the Phillies (inter-league, not WS) where they had a walk-off win and it wasn’t until the 9th inning that the place was any louder than a murmur. It was very loud when they won, but disappointingly quiet before then.
One of the features at Fenway is that you can ride one of their rats to the consession stand..maybe they should incorporate that into NYS
Blake-
Morning.
You’re up early today.
Still holding out some hope for a few more items this off season.
The way the luck has been running doesn’t favor them.
MTU, yea I’m at work..I still think they will sign a LFer..I’m thinking Nady if his arm is ok (he can’t possibly throw worse than Damon) and I’m not totally sold that Damon won’t be back…Cashman has had ample opportunities to sign Reed Johnson or somebody like that but hasn’t done it yet..seems like he’s waiting for something, mayne to see how far Damon falls or how Nadys elbow is?
I have heard the GGBG arguments.
Both the pro and the con.
personal preference is to at least have a platoon out there.
I agree on Nady with 2 proviso’s :
his price has to be right, and he must be able to throw from LF.
I would like JD back on a 1 year but I dont think it is probable.
Cash might have other platoon players in mind.
Next year’s LF target might be CC but what if we can’t get him ?
The issue might still remain.
1. Please fix monument cave.
2. Food:
I think there are too many food choices now; when you try to please everyone you end up pleasing no one.
It’s a ballpark, not a restaurant, except for the actual indoor restaurants of course. IMO, to guarantee authentic and satisfying tastes you are limited to the kinds of food you get from a NYC street vendor given the food prep conditions on the concourses. I’d go back to basics: hotdogs (ok, maybe chicken or veggie dogs too), and sausages, peanuts, popcorn and crackerjacks. But make them the best in the world.
You want a beer? Well, that’s what it costs. Frankly, I’d rather have it cost that much than contend with jerks who can’t stop at just seven or eight.
I miss the old place, but the game and the fans have changed and this park is about the new game and the new fans. It’s too expensive to bring the kids but they wouldn’t be bringing the kids regularly anyhow because the kids have a million afterschool things, play their Wii or Playstation and are just not as widely interested in baseball exclusively anymore.
I go for the game, the atmosphere is a close, but definite second. The new Stadium will accumulate its own tics and traditions over time. Remember the old stadium was there 85 years.
Blake-
I also agree with CB and Wave’s POV on getting the platoon, or upgrade for a reasonable price so that we might gain an extra win or two.
The gap between us and the Sox may not turn out to be as large as some expect.
Cheap insurance would be a good thing IMHO.
We live about 8 hours away, so it is a once a year trip to YS. We enjoyed going to OYS for all the traditions and history. New YS was incredible, clean, spacious, just beautiful. We found the staff to be very helpful. We loved just walking around, seeing all the banners, concessions,etc. Too long a line to see Monument Park, despite getting there early. My only complaint- we went over Memorial day weekend and there were too many Phillie fans!
For me, the food is not an issue. I look at it this way, if I’m going out for food, I go to a restaurant. I don’t expect food at a ballpark, even Yankee Stadium, to be good. If they have one or two items that are failsafe, great, otherwise, mediocre is what I expect. Terrible, however, is not acceptable. (But keep in mind, I had the sushi and enjoyed it!
)
My suggestion if you don’t like the food at all is to eat before or after the games and just eat snack-type food once you’re there (popcorn, ice cream, peanuts). It ends up being less costly that way anyway.
Even a top-notch ballpark is going to have issues with mass-produced food. Although I do tend to agree that with all the great food resources in the NYC area, it seems a shame not to take advantage.
” Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweeted last night that the Angels are “trying like crazy” to sign Chapman.”
From MLBTR
What do the Angels see that we don’t ?
Murph, I haven’t been to the NYS, but, I did get to both versions of the OTS. There was no comparison in the two atmospheres. The old YS was the real deal, while the second version was most likely what the second generation Stadium fans feel about this one….”IT JUST AIN’T THE SAME…THE NEW FANS CAN’T JUST ENJOY THE GAME.”
Maybe that makes zero sense to others, but, it does to me.
MTU,
CB has made the point (which I agree with) that the gap has closed but the Sox carry more risk on their Roster than the Yankees do. I think the Yankees are better than the Red Sox but it is in the margin of error, meaning that injuries or underperformance by the Yankees could allow the sox to win.. I’d like to see another LFer if nothing else for depth. I don’t think Reed Johnson adds much to the team and would rather sign a guy that has more upside. If they are planning in Gardner getting most of the playing time anyway then they should be able to sign a higher risk/higher reward type I would think.
Living too far from New York to attend games regularly, and not having attended a game in the new Stadium yet, my comments relate to watching games on TV. The main difference I notice so far is how loud the old stadium seemed on TV, and how quiet the new one seems, even though it’s obvious there is noise in the new stadium. I watched a game from the 2001 WS, and compared it to Game 6 this year, and there is a big difference on how loud it came across on TV.
both versions of the ***OYS***
MTU, I also agree that the gap has closed maybe a little but as CB has said the Sox carry more risk in their roster than the Yankees do..they can’t win as many ways as the Yankees can right now.
I would like to see them sign an outfielder of nothing else to provide depth. If they are planning on playing Gardner most of the time in LF then I think they can afford to go with a higher risk/ higher reward type player like Nady to platoon with him. Somebody that of healthy is better than Gardner. Reed Johnson adds nothing to the team that I can see.
“Next year’s LF target might be CC but what if we can’t get him ?”
Then maybe you look at Werth, who may be a better fit on a couple fronts. 1) He’s right handed 2) Because he’ll be 32 in 2011, he can probably be locked up for fewer years (not to mention less money). He’s also a better hitter than Crawford and a pretty good outfielder with a strong arm.
Sorry for the two similar posts, I thought the first one got ate but apparently it didnt
GB7:
When I was a lot younger, I used to have a regular watering hole, used to go there with the same group to go and get a load on, watch the game, not to chase the ladies – even though a few of the pretty, freckled, thick-ankled ones from the old sod showed up from time to time to brighten the atmosphere.
It was an old, long, dark bar with a beat up old, black and white octagonal tile floor, with bathrooms in which you would die before sitting down. No food, there was a chinese place next door and next to that a pizza place. All of this took place under the elevated in the Bronx.
One day the regular bartender tells us that they are going to buy the chinese place, knock down the wall and re-make the place. It would take 6 months but it was going to be big, new, serve food and attract the ladies from the nearby college.
We patiently waited, trying out interim bars – they sucked – and then on pre-opening night (we got a special invite) walked in and it was big, new, comfortable, modern had a ton of amenities and now food… and I swear to god a tear ran down my face in sorrow, like someone had knocked down the house I grew up in. We had to move on to a new dive, the old one was not improved, it was gone.
“What do the Angels see that we don’t ?”
Room in their budget?
Doubt it really comes down to that, but the Halos, aside from a relatively inexpensive Matsui contract, have been quiet this winter. Upon recognizing they were not going to be players for the “Big 3″ free agents, they may well have been gearing up for the Chapman sweepstakes.
frank-
I am not sure I like Werth as much as you might.
He has been really good with the Phils though.
Think his success continues ?
I agree Doreen, I don’t expect too much of ball park food. I like that you are allowed to bring food in (as opposed to the Trop, where my 80 year old mom had to open her purse and surrender her bottle of water). We were happy w/ the basic hot dogs and pizza. We had to get the Indiana popcorn as we had my son’s GF w/ us, and she is from Indiana.
Frank-
I just wondered if their scouts and ours disagreed on Chapman’s projection ?
murphydog
January 7th, 2010 at 8:05 am
GB7:
When I was a lot younger, I used to have a regular watering hole, used to go there with the same group to go and get a load on, watch the game, not to chase the ladies – even though a few of the pretty, freckled, thick-ankled ones from the old sod showed up from time to time to brighten the atmosphere.
It was an old, long, dark bar with a beat up old, black and white octagonal tile floor, with bathrooms in which you would die before sitting down. No food, there was a chinese place next door and next to that a pizza place. All of this took place under the elevated in the Bronx.
One day the regular bartender tells us that they are going to buy the chinese place, knock down the wall and re-make the place. It would take 6 months but it was going to be big, new, serve food and attract the ladies from the nearby college.
We patiently waited, trying out interim bars – they sucked – and then on pre-opening night (we got a special invite) walked in and it was big, new, comfortable, modern had a ton of amenities and now food… and I swear to god a tear ran down my face in sorrow, like someone had knocked down the house I grew up in. We had to move on to a new dive, the old one was not improved, it was gone.
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LMAO. That’s my point. The new is never as good as the old…in memory.
I’m sure part of your sadness was from missing those thick ankes.
I’m an old timer now and really like the new stadium. I have to agree with others who maintain the concrete has to be painted beyond the bleachers. Too cold.
I’m sure part of your sadness was from missing those thick ankles.
GB7:
I always tell people that thick ankles are a sign of sincerity
One thing I love about the NYS, which isn’t really about the stadium itself, is the new Metro North rail station. I don’t live in the NY area any longer, but we visit often and stay in Westchester. The fact that you can now take a train directly to the stadium makes it 10x easier and means we will always go to games when we are in the area.
That said, it sure does cost a lot to go to games nowadays. When I last lived full time in NY I could afford to get decent tickets (like field level) even though I was a student and had no money. Now I am lucky I make a decent living and can afford to pay the high prices, though it means we now have to sit way up high. Of course, the team was terrible when I last lived in NY and as costs have climbed the team has also become a great team again. So maybe it’s worth the difference!
murphydog
January 7th, 2010 at 8:14 am
I’m sure part of your sadness was from missing those thick ankles.
GB7:
I always tell people that thick ankles are a sign of sincerity
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or slim pickin’s.
Here in Georgia, no self respecting southern belle would ever be caught with thick ankles. They’d rather date a Yankee carpetbagger first.
Went to one game, was given tickets in the legends section behind the Yankee dugout. Nice to see how the other side lives.
Food in the Legends restaurant “all you can eat” buffet was excellent, as well as the service to our seats, all included in the price of the ticket. Rest rooms were splendid. The only money spent during the game was on beer, 4 beers 52$ plus tips.
The new Yankee Stadium is beautiful.
I agree that YMCA and Cotton Joe need to go.
I’m disappointed about Chapman, not because I have any information he will be a top pitcher, but I do love watching the progress of highly rated Yankee minor leaguers. He would have been fun to keep an eye on.
Also, as many others have said, if he is really that potentially good the Yankees never get a shot at such a player unless he is a 16 year old many years away.
GB, you won’t be too happy with this (but it’s no surprise as Callis doesn’t like the Yankees or their farm system):
What is the scouting report on Manny Banuelos? Why am I having so much trouble finding anything?
Jim Callis (2:49 PM)
Because you haven’t checked out the Yankees Top 10 list at baseballamerica.com? Average fastball, average curve, fringy changeup, good command.
MTU:
I don’t know. Since having a chance to be an everyday player, Werth has made good on the opportunity. Can’t think of a reason why he’d suddenly regress at age 31. IMO, he’s a more versatile OF than Crawford, who is pretty much locked into left due to a relatively weak arm.
Also like that he’s right handed and has power to right center, which plays reasonably well in NYS. Crawford has a .695 career OPS against LHP’s. Not as bad as Granderson’s .615, but not very good either. Two everyday bats that are ineffective against LHP’s is not the end the world, but it can be problematic at times. Werth kills LHP’s and hits RHP’s well enough. I see can an argument for either guy, but I think Werth would arguably be the better fit.
Frank-
I did not have a strong opinion on Werth either way.
Thanks for yours.
I remember him from when he seemed just promising.
I am not a fan of the new stadium tv wise and here are my reasons.
1) The awful batting screen and balky cables obstruction. Its very annoying viewing balls hit in play through these obstructions. I think they have to either lower the screen by 5 feet or raise the camera angle by 5 feet.
2) You cannot hear the PA announcements or when watching the game on tv. We all grew up watching games on tv and listening to Bob Sheppard’s voice. Even though he is gone his legacy lives on through Jeter, but when Jeter comes to the plate you cannot hear his voice nor can your any other player introductions.
3) The volume is also not the same when watching games on TV. It sound like the crowd is dead and you cannot hear any of the backround music.
Betsy-
I dont htink Callis’s evaluation is accurate from what i have heard.
Not sure if this was said already, but the wires supporting the netting behind the plate obstruct the view of those sitting between third base / home / first base in the tier reserve. They connect to the stands way out in the outfield, rather than right behind the plate (below the luxury suites) as was done in the old stadium. IMO this is another of the designer’s oversights, on par with the obstructed vision in the bleacher and whatever crazy thing is happening to cause all these homers.
Fortunately, this is the most fixable!
MTU, I don’t think so either, but this is the same guy who thinks Casey Kelly is is going to be Cy Young, Walter Johnson and Sandy Koufax wrapped into one package.
Fangraphs thoughts on MB, from their NYY Top 10 Prospects:
5. Manny Banuelos, LHP, High-A
DOB: March 1991 Bats: L Throws: L
Signed: 2008 non-drafted international free agent (Mexico)
MLB ETA: Late-2011 40-Man Roster: No Options: 3
Repertoire: 87-92 mph fastball, curveball, change-up
A young, inexperienced southpaw, Banuelos exceeded expectations in ‘09 and even received a one-game taste of life in high-A ball. Spending the majority of the year in low-A, the Mexico native allowed just 88 hits in 108.0 innings of work. He showed solid control with a walk rate of 2.33 BB/9 and a nice strikeout rate at 8.67 K/9. He also allowed just three homers (0.33 HR/9) despite a modest ground-ball rate of 43.4%. Banuelos has had little trouble in pro ball so far, but there are those that doubt his ability to remain a starter because of his small frame. He could reach double-A in 2010 as a 19-year-old.
Betsy – Romine wasn’t built in a day
January 7th, 2010 at 8:26 am
GB, you won’t be too happy with this (but it’s no surprise as Callis doesn’t like the Yankees or their farm system):
What is the scouting report on Manny Banuelos? Why am I having so much trouble finding anything?
Jim Callis (2:49 PM)
Because you haven’t checked out the Yankees Top 10 list at baseballamerica.com? Average fastball, average curve, fringy changeup, good command.
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Callis is an idiot, anyway, Betsy. He’s never seen Banuelos pitch. Banuelos is still just a baby. He’s about as big as Ron Guidry was and 3 years younger. He doesn’t throw quite as hard as Guidry, but, he’s not done growing either. Good 92-93 MPH 4 seam fastball, good two seam, slider and a knockout change. He’s also more advanced than Ramirez is. He pitched at Charleston and Tampa in 2009. As long as he’s healthy, he’ll be in Trenton by the end of 2010.
Betsy-
I think Pinsripes plus did a bit on banuelos ?
I don’t have the subscription.
Thoughts on Banuelos from Baseball Prospectus
3. Manny Banuelos, LHP
DOB: 3/13/91
Height/Weight: 5-10/155
Bats/Throws: L/L
Drafted/Signed: Mexico, 2008
2009 Stats: 2.67 ERA (108.0-88-28-104) at Low-A (25 G); 0.00 ERA (1.0-0-0-2) at High-A (1 G)
Last Year’s Ranking: Not ranked
Year in Review: This import from Mexico impressed scouts with both his stuff and maturity.
The Good: Banuelos has plus-plus command and control, but his stuff is far from pedestrian. His fastball sits at 89-92 mph, and he can dial it up to 94-95 at times, while he also has the ability to add and subtract from the pitch, add movement to it, and fill up the strike zone. His changeup is also advanced for his age, and he flashes a solid curveball.
The Bad: Banuelos is downright small and not much of an athlete, so there are a lot of questions about his projection. His stuff is very inconsistent; one scout noted when, seeing him twice in a week, Banuelos was around 87-90 mph in one start, and then never went below 90 the next. He has a tendency to flatten out his curveball.
Ephemera: Moved to the bullpen in August to preserve his innings count, Banuelos was especially dominant as a reliever, allowing just four hits over 12 innings while striking out 21.
Perfect World Projection: Scouts are split as to whether Banuelos will be a third starter or a late-inning reliever in the end.
Path to the Big Leagues: Banuelos has multiple paths to the big leagues based on his versatility and left-handedness.
Timetable: The Yankees have been busier than any team in baseball when it comes to scouting and signing talent from Mexico, and Banuelos is their biggest prize. He’ll begin 2010 at High-A Tampa.
Gb-
If Banuelos has those tools, plus command, and room to grow then Callis is waaaaaaaaay off.
He said the changeup was “fringy”. Not what you saw apparently.
Frank-
Thanks.
Interesting that they don’t even mention the changeup ?
Painting the concrete walls navy blue would go a long way to making the stadium seem more “Yankee-like”. When you view the outfield from home plate it looks very dull (except, of course, for the big screens and the ads)
In fact, the entire stadium is a bit concrete heavy. Too everything is too grey.
MTU
January 7th, 2010 at 8:45 am
Gb-
If Banuelos has those tools, plus command, and room to grow then Callis is waaaaaaaaay off.
He said the changeup was “fringy”. Not what you saw apparently.
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They’ve been teaching all of the kids coming through Charleston the changeup, especially the smaller kids. Banuelos pretty much stopped throwing his curve late in the season and went to a slider and change-up more. I’m betting that they get away from the slider later on and teach him a cutter. Like I said, he’s about the same size as Guidry was and at age 18, Guidry wasn’t throwing 96 MPH and had no slider at all.
“Interesting that they don’t even mention the changeup ?”
BP does. Says it’s advanced for his age. FWIW, I don’t think you can really tell how strong your changeup is til you hit the upper levels. Most kids in A ball won’t hit an ordinary one, nevermind a good one.
Have to like the kind of command that Fangraphs, BP and even Callis talk about, in a kid that age.
Offer Coca Cola Products ! Please no more flat poor tasting Pepsi !
GB-
While we’re on the subject of pitching.
I have a general pitching question for you, or anyone with more knowledge than me on the subject.
Why is the circle change more commonly taught than the “splitter” for instance ?
Is it easier to learn ?
easier to hide ?
More effective ?
Didn’t koufax throw something called a “palmball” ?
Does anyone throw a pitch like that anymore ?
Thanks in advance.
The problem Jim Callis has is he can never admit when he was wrong.
I went through this with him re: my nephew.
Throughout the draft process, he downgraded him. Then, the kid goes #4 overall, beyond what Callis predicted for him, and he ripped the Pirates for overdrafting him.
After the kid completes his first summer in pro ball, and is now one of the Pirates Top 3 propsects, he begins to change his tune.
Not by saying he was wrong in his evaluation. Just by quoting scouts who have seen him and have been impressed with his development.
Its why I spend little time and energy getting worked up on how internet sofa scouts or writers with Baseball America feel about ANY prospect.
They get too hung up on their own opinions to offer unbiased evaluations.
Baseball America has basically been a Red Sox minor league publication for years. Most of the editors and writers are Red Sox fans and have a lot of friends in the Red Sox front office. Naturally, their biases show.
My opinion on Banuelos? Can only go by what my nephew says about him. He faced him last year and thought his changeup was one of the better changeups he has seen.
By the time he faced him, he fastball was off a tick due to his innings load.
Overall, he was impressed with him and that’s coming from a catcher who knows a little bit about pitching.
If I’m going to a ballgame, I’m not going to ruin my day by picking out things about the park to whine about. It tends to destroy the reason for going to begin with….enjoying the game. If I want beauty, comfort and great food and beer at a cut rate cost, I’ll stay home and watch it on the wide screen.
MTU
January 7th, 2010 at 8:56 am
GB-
While we’re on the subject of pitching.
I have a general pitching question for you, or anyone with more knowledge than me on the subject.
Why is the circle change more commonly taught than the “splitter” for instance ?
Is it easier to learn ?
easier to hide ?
More effective ?
Didn’t koufax throw something called a “palmball” ?
Does anyone throw a pitch like that anymore ?
Thanks in advance.
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I would guess that pitchers with smaller hands and shorter fingers would have a lot of problems throwing a splitter. Mussina said that a circle change is pretty easy to throw once you figure out the presuure points on the ball.
BTW, one other Jim Callis doozy….
After seeing a handful of Josh Reddick’s AB’s with the Red Sox last year, he proclaimed him “ready to be the starting LF for the Red Sox in 2009″.
That’s all you need to know about the guy and his biases.
“I don’t think so either, but this is the same guy who thinks Casey Kelly is is going to be Cy Young, Walter Johnson and Sandy Koufax wrapped into one package.”
————————————————
you left out Babe Ruth. This is the great Casey Kelly.
MTU, Koufax threw basically tthre pitches, a two and 4 seam fast ball and a harder version of Blyleven’s overhand curve. He was just cruel to the hitters.
“Throughout the draft process, he downgraded him. Then, the kid goes #4 overall, beyond what Callis predicted for him, and he ripped the Pirates for overdrafting him.”
Callis can be a toolbox to be sure, but he was among the vast majority on that particular topic.
GB-
That makes sense.
But the splitter can be a devastating pitch as well.
It may also be that the splitter is harder on the hands/arm ?
personally, I think a good cahngeup is underappreciated as to the role it can play in pitching.
A good changeup can be a very valuable tool for a pitcher as opposed to a thrower.
If it is possible to do pitch movement should be taught as well.
JMHO.
Frank: doesn’t matter. When they are dead wrong in their evsaluation they need to admit it.
in light of this convo, which publication (either free or pay) is recommended to follow prospects. Namely Yankee prospects?
- Pinstripe Plus
- Baseball Prospectus
or others ?
Funny thing is, when you look at where the #1 rated catcher, which he was coming into the draft, went in the draft the past several years, they all went in the Top Ten.
Catchers are tough to find. That’s a big reason why they get drafted so high.
One could make the argument that since the #1 rated catcher in the last 5-6 drafts have all gone in the Top Ten, one shouldn’t be surprised when a catcher goes that high.
That point was actually made to Callis prior to the draft and he discounted it completely.
That’s pretty tough to do when the evidence is clear that catchers get drafted very high. Mainly due to the difficulty in finding good one’s.
The one thing I miss is walking out of the tunnels in the upper deck of a night game and bang the lights hit you and you look down at the field. You could hear the crowd and the game and the anticipation was awesome. Now you just take a crammed elevator up and your kind of just there. I didnt realize it at the time but those tunnels and the anticipation of seeing the stadium probably had the most profound impact on me esp as a kid.
MTU
January 7th, 2010 at 9:05 am
GB-
That makes sense.
But the splitter can be a devastating pitch as well.
It may also be that the splitter is harder on the hands/arm ?
personally, I think a good cahngeup is underappreciated as to the role it can play in pitching.
A good changeup can be a very valuable tool for a pitcher as opposed to a thrower.
If it is possible to do pitch movement should be taught as well.
JMHO.
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Hard splitters are great pitches for those that can throw it. The problem is, with younger pitchers that haven’t fully developed their arms, it puts a lot of stress on the elbow, especially the ligaments. It’s the same thing with throwing a spit ball. With a spitball, you squeeze the ball out of the fingers and puts a large amount of tension on the elbow.
(new post)
GB-
A little info. on the “palmball”
Sorry for the length.
“Who throws the Palmball-Steve Farr,Edwar Ramirez(also for Forkball),Dave Giusti,Bob Stanley and Orlando Hernandez,Tony Fiore,Trevor hoffman and others.Roy Halladay used to throw One. In the Early Years, Ewell Blackwell,Jim Konstanty,Jim Palmer and Satchel Paige have thrown Palmballs.
for you Red Sox fans Ray Culp Dramatically changed his Career with the Pitch in 1968 going 16-6
How to throw a Palmball
1.Place Ball Very tightly in the Palm of your Hand.
2.Throw it like you would a Fastball,This Changes Speed,but it looks like a Fastball.
Most Succesful- i’d have to Say Hoffman,Palmer and Halladay
The Good-Good Movement,no stress on the Arm,same as a Normal and Circle Change,good pitch to teach young Kids.Changes Speeds.
The Bad-Nothing i can think of.just get it to the Plate.”
What SJ said. That’s one major reason that in the last 3 years, NYY has signed or drafted 6 of the best young catchers available. They’re all within 2 years of age apart. They have a stable of some of the best catchers in any system and as of 2010, they’ll have them spread out at every level. They’ve got a gold mine there as far as being able to trade one for a real need.
The new stadium is beautiful. When I watch a video or an old game, I do miss the old place. It had a certain power to it that is missing in the new place. The way that the upper deck extended out is sorely missed in the new place.
I love the concourses in the new place. It is great to be able to get a beer and watch the game over your shoulder.
I agree with all who say that the moat must be addressed. It is embarassing to see all those empty seats behind the plate. They should fill the moat each game by doing random seat upgrades for people in the bleachers and the upper deck. The people who are paying full freight might be unhappy but too bad for them. When the Yankees planned the moat the world was a different place, particularly in terms of the economy. Time for the Yankees to adjust to the current economic situation and be creative about filling those sections.
The banner ad at the top of the screen which includes a sound of a camera clicking has to go. It is really annoying.
“Why is the circle change more commonly taught than the “splitter” for instance ?
Is it easier to learn ?
easier to hide ?
More effective ?”
mtu-
i first came across the circle change vs split finger question when i was catching neil allen while he was trying to learn the split finger to extend his career . he was having problems with it because his fingers were not long enough to comfortably split the fingers around the ball.
one day we ran into richard dotson who neil played with on the white sox. dotson had a very good circle change and spent an hour showing neil how to throw it as an option to the split finger pitch.
the problem was that when neil tried it on the mound he couldn’t get the movement that dotson got. just doing a little you tube research prompted by your question, here’s a video that is interesting concerning the circle change:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avJBZ_XAVaE
i do know that neil had difficulty pronating when throwing pitches. different pitchers have different abilities to supinate or pronate and have different natural arm slots. these kind of things affect what kind of pitch a pitcher can throw.
Wouldn’t Jerry Hairston be the perfect fit for the left field righty that Mr. Cashman is looking for?
A good reason for Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte being able to throw a cut fastball the way they do effectively is staying consistent with their mechanics.
Many pitchers try but overcompensate. Mo or Andy can show how a cutter is gripped but the rest is up to the individual pitcher.
It pains me to say this, but. Citi really got it right with the “local” flavor (Shake Shack, Brooklyn Brewery). Granted the Yankees are more corporate, but it pains me to see stuff like NYY Steak and a Hard Rock Cafe.
The YMCA/Cotton Eye Joe things have been beat to death. I agree that the Yankees should scrap them. Why not replace YMCA with NY State of Mind and Cotton Eye Joe with a more new relevant pop song. This leads to my biggest criticism. Go ahead, call me a music snob but the Yankees play really generic dated music. (Ex, Vanga Boys “We Like to Party” during the City Hall festivities). This team represents New York City. I think they would be up to speed with current music.
Would it kill the Yankees to feature live performers for Star Spangled banner?
I love the open concourses, so you can still see the game if you get up to get food or go to the restroom. In the old Stadium it felt like you were leaving the game.
I also have to say I love that Metro-North now has a Yankee Stadium stop. It took them this long, 86 years, to figure this out? I live in Westchester and it was a pleasure to take the train and not have to sit in traffic or pay $16 to park on broken glass.
I pretty much enjoyed everything last year, with exception to the empty premium seats during the first half of the season. They need to do something about the pricing of those seats, there is no reason why they should be empty for this team.
I liked the fact that you could go ALL the way out to left or right field, and not feel too far away from the game. I remember the old one having a feeling of being miles away if you happened to be in one of the last rows in left or right field.
Thanks for starting the discussion.
It took me a while to like the new Stadium. I love the Great Hall and the tremendous video screen but I could do without all the billboards. I think the one thing that remains a source of irritation is the sense of separation I feel. I sit in the upper deck behind home plate and the Jim Beam Suite is directly below. Our first game (we have a Saturday package) was the Cleveland blowout so my son and I visited the Jim Beam and had an $11 Blue Moon. The next week we tried to go there again but were told that our seats did not entitle us to enter. I guess that is the price of free agency that the fans have to endure.
As far as the music and artificial noise are concerned, it’s ok between innings and as player intros but I don’t need to be told to cheer or clap. Sterling always comments on the artificial noise in Tampa, for good reason, but I think Yankee Stadium has contributed a little too much of its own. Bottom line though, it’s a beautiful way to spend a Saturday.
Pros:
- open concourses
- video screen
Cons:
- lack of creativity with food vendors (does not compare to selections in other stadiums – Philly, Camden Yards, the “Jake”)
- horrible audio system – requires reading of closed captioned line to understand what is being said
- too many exposed concrete walls – some areas look more like a parking deck than a stadium (or even a mall)
Worst aspect: the moat and the empty seats around it. they should extend the “regular” seats (those costing less than $350) down across the moat (fill it in) and leave only 3 or 4 rows of the extremely overpriced seats directly around the dugouts.
I was VERY sad to see the old stadium go, but I really like most things about the new house. They definitely need to do something about monument park though! The old one was beautiful and had an almost garden feel to it with all the bushes and flowers. Now it’s like a cement cemetery! HATE IT! Also, like others, I think a lot of the concrete needs to be at least painted blue. Way too much gray concrete in the place!
It’s new. Let’s face it: The old barn was getting run down. The new stadium is easy to move around, the seats aren’t as cramped, it has ample bathrooms and concession stands, and the two stores are nice (albeit overpriced).
The sightlines are good. Aside from the corners of the upper deck and the “obstructed view” bleachers, I think the views from the seats are improved.
The food is mediocre, but at least we have a bigger selection of mediocre food now. And I will say the steakhouse was terrific.
My major problems with the new joint are two-fold: the fans and the moat/dungeon.
First — and maybe this is because of the openness of the ballpark and that the upper decks are offset from the field more — but the fans don’t seem as loud. Attending the first-ever playoff game against the Twins, I was left with the impression that this ain’t Yankee Stadium. Of course, when I was there when they clinched the ALCS and Series, it sounded fine. But there’s something about the new place that leaves me wondering if the prices have left some die-hards out on the street and a bunch of Johnny-come-latelys in the ballpark.
Second, the concrete moat to keep the regular folks away from the blue bloods is ridiculous. And the dungeon where they keep Monument Park is sacrilegious. I also agree the place, astheically, appears a bit too grey – like a prison or hospital – for my liking. The organization needs to make a trip to Benjamin Moore.
I suppose we’re nitpicking here, however. They keep playing like 2009 and I don’t care where they play or what the food tastes like.
No more ymca, cotton eyed joe. Fix Monument Park. Keep the music the way it is or make it even louder. Always play Empire State of Mind for now on. Bring back the old chicken fingers. Get rid of the moat and the security guards that try to ruin game experiences by preventing you from going down low after a win. But we do have the best baseball Stadium in the world, Home of the World Series Champions!!!
i just read a few comments, and will have to agree with a few.
probably can’t be done between now and opening day (as the original post asked), but they may seriously want to reconsider redisigning the mohegan sun sports bar in center. just make it smaller and push it back 10-20 feet. this would accomplish:
-making monument park less cavelike
-probably eliminate some of the obstructed view.
maybe make it a 2 level bar instead? i was in there once, and they could definetely scale it down without ruining it.
they don’t really bother me, but ymca and cotten eye joe can probably go, too…
Doreen mentioned: “Oh, one other thing that was a little annoying – the band around the stadium that has flashes the advertisements and stuff – I don’t know what you call it – it’s just too much! It’s all the same all around, and it seems to me they could split the space up a bit and use it better. It’s distracting.”
i have no problem with that, but think they might want to look into getting a little more creative with whatever ads and animation they put on there. lots of possibilities with that.
and while i too don’t really go to ballparks looking for a fine dining experience, the pulled pork sandwich was delicious!!
Cotton-eyed Joe, YMCA, and that horrible PC Richards sound after every K need to go. The latter two are played out and the former is just plain annoying. I feel like I’m being brainwashed. Move the right field fence to the old dimensions, bfix monument park, and require Disco Stu to be at every game
My biggest gripe about the stadium is the use of the giant scoreboard. At the very least the fans should be able to see what fans watching at home get to see after a big Yankee hit or fielding play; e.g., multiple replays from the various camera positions; dugout reactions, etc. Instead, we get one replay, usually done by the time the crowd has settled enough to remember to look. Most of the time the scoreboard is wasted on not-very-interesting statistics (“Player ‘X’ has reached base safely in his last 15 games), which remain static during an entire at-bat. I’m surprised more people haven’t posted about this.
personally,
i think the stadium needs a little more green on the outside…some grass…some plants, trees…something that makes it more of a ballpark field.
i mean, all you see at babe ruth plaza is gray…it is just bland…it needs colors and design.
why not some statues of the great ones?…babe ruth in babe ruth plaza for instance.
i think some grass or some nice design for the ground instead of gray would help make the stadium pop and feel more enclosed and really standout as a “holy” type of place…separate from the rest of the world.
around the stadium isn’t anything too pretty, so the more it is closed off (such as with some big trees on the border of it) the better.
yankee stadium has the better field, but i liked what citifield is before you step into your section to find your seat. the mets need to clean that up, whereas i think the yanks need to liven up the outer edges of the stadium…
it’s a really big stadium with a lot of empty space and a lot of dead colors. kids should be able to see more images of the great ones…even a big screen showing old films of yankee highlights somewhere in that big cavern of a place would be cool.
also, definitely should move the monument to somewhere it can actually be seen, but that is an obvious one…i know some may like the seats on top of the restaurant, but i like the idea of having it up there for the world to see.
…but there are also not too many seats at the new stadium (not to mention the ton that are obstructed,) so maybe they can add something somewhere to put the monuments on.
in saying all that, inside the stadium is really beautiful, including the big banners they have in the great hall…but i think there needs to be more…it doesn’t feel like 1.5 billion…however, i do feel that the field gives that same beautiful glow that the old stadium did…now we just need to close it off so the homers can decrease, but the crowd noise can increase.
anyone agree with this rambling?
Everything – and I mean everything – is too goddamned expensive.
Put the bleachers in the moat. Find other seats for the hedge fund managers.
Oh, and get rid of YMCA.
Love being able to walk around the stadium and watch the game. Sat in the Mohegan Sun Bar, wish they could open up the glass on nice evenings otherwise it feels like you are watching it from a Sports Bar with a giant TV screen that only has a center field view. The glass keeps out the stadium noise and you loose the feeling of being at the game. However the seats are great and having waitress service is terrific. Food I ate at the Mohegan was decent. Other items that I saw was pricey. Will try the steak sandwich next time.
Turn up the bass when Enter Sandman plays … the old place was so loud; new stereo system in the bronx?? I’d say the greatest closer to play the game deserves it (but would never ask for it)!
After attending over 50 games this year and sitting in most every area of the stadium, gotta say that the batters eye seats are the best vantage point for getting you in the game.
Mohegan Sun club and Audi clubs shut you out of the atmosphere behind the glass. Legends are great but hey who can afford that, plus who needs all that food at a game, hot dog and a beer ( Guinness is great), but those Lobel steak sandwiches are the best. Kudos to Mark, PS, the line is not that long, goes by quick, less than 10 minutes, plus you don’t miss a pitch with all the TV’s. Back to the seat locations, 200 level around 1st or 3rd are the best for the price. If in the first 10 rows, you are close enough to the action, and have some of the best views, better than the loge in the old stadium. I have season field box seats but no vendors, they also take away from the atmosphere. As for the crowd. I have attended all but 2 playoff/ World Series games in the past 15 years. This year at the new place, during game 1 of the series, there was something missing.
You did not get the close up feelings of the crowd, especially from the upper deck where the GO YANKEES sign hung. That was the only time this season that I actually missed the old place.
Love the new stadium, pulled pork sandwiches are excellent, love the TV’s at concessions, love the clean bathrooms, love the open concourses that allow you to not miss a pitch, love the Yankee museum the HD big screens etc..
Dont love where they put Monument Park, it should be visible and larger. I also think they should round out the fences in right center so the dimensions are exactly the same as the old stadium and make the fences the same height as the old fences.
The crowd will never be as loud because people are never all gonna be in their seat… many will be eating, drinking, in the bathroom, in the Hard Rock, etc.
Morning everyone. OK, my two cents. While I’ll always have a soft spot for the grungy old stadium, my son and I love the new place. We went to the first exhibition game, got there hours early and ran like lunatics around the whole place. I’m with the majority on a lot of the pros and cons. I’m fine with the food. Sure it’s too expensive, but the garlic fries are awesome, the Lobell’s steak is terrific and while the burgers at Johnny Rocket’s suck, the shakes are great. I’ve also eaten the sushi, which was top-notch and I even found the fruit stand. And while the old stand-bys like YMCA, God Bless America and Cotten Eye Joe are a little tiresome, I’m all for keeping traditions alive, and there are people — kids and adults alike — going to their first game who find it fun.
My problems with the place? Way, way, way too much exposed gray concrete. Overall the place is a momument to money, a baseball palace; I hate to say it, but Citi Field appeals far more to me as a ballpark. Yankee Stadium feels like a luxurious mall with a field thrown in the middle of it. Monument Park is a joke now; the players being “honored” are probably spinning in their graves that they’ve been shoehorned into the place to make room for a bar above. The bar is an eyesore. And seriously, what drunken architecture school dropout decided to split the bleachers with the place, so that left field can’t see right and right field can’t see left? Ridiculous and, frankly, embarrassing. Also, the Yankees promised that they would add additional TVs/monitors along the walls in the bleachers for the people stuck in obstructed-view seats. Not only didn’t that happen, but a couple of the existing TVs went out and were’nt ever fix. Screw the little guy, right? Which brings us to the moat. That’s just insane. I’m sure there are a few diehard, yelling-screaming fans down there, but most of those seats are filled by guests of corporate sponsors, who just aren’t invested in the Bombers at all. And too many of them never show up, get there late, leave early or are busy eating in the exclusive restaurants. The caste system is annoying and yes, I’m totally jealous, but I think the empty seats look bad and that the lack of people down is at least part of the reason why the new Yankee Stadium seems so much quieter than the old one. I was initially very disappointed about people not being allowed near the field during batting practice but, to their credit, management resolved that fairly well. And while I think it’s silly for the ushers to be checking tickets in the 400s in the 8th inning, I’ve actually only encountered a couple of unfriendly ushers. For the most part, from the ushers to the greeters to the servers at Nathan’s, I’ve had nothing but pleasant experiences with the staff.
So, bottom line, the new place is not the old place and I’m not sure change is good. And I still don’t get why they reduced the crowd capacity. They could easily sell 10,000 more seats a night at $25 a pop and there’d be loads more money made in food and concessions. But it is what it is. And at the end of the day, while I want to have a good time at the park and not have to go broke in the process, my main concern is the game on the field. And, last I looked, the Yankees were World Champs. A winning team makes all the other stuff a little easier to deal with, I’d argue.
Oh, and I just saw that someone mentioned the Hard Rock Cafe. It’s a great, fun place. A little congested, with high prices, but the funniest part? The men’s room on the main level. It has ONE urinal and a toilet or two. Who was the braniac that came up with that?