Yesterday I went to my first baseball game at the new Yankee Stadium. Yes 3-4 years after it opened I finally got on board, bit the bullet and went to the place across the street from the stadium I knew growing up. I didn't want to lose my Bronx alumni status.
It was hard not to like this place,especially on the most beautiful day of the spring. Warm temperatures, a slight breeze and oh that green, green grass!
The drive down was classic Johnny Bronx, meant to impress the 2 passengers. Down I-95 to the Hutch to Bruckner Blvd. (the service road), to the Concourse via 138th street service road. Door to door of the parking garage bargain, 48 minutes! The garage was ready for our reservation and the $22 fee, split 3 ways.
A 7 block walk to the stadium next to the place where the House that Ruth built stood. On the way I pointed out BX. landmarks, the all business facade of the Bronx county Court House, The Concourse Plaza, once the home away from home of Yankees but now, not quite sure what goes on in there.
Having heard horror stories of the exorbitant prices of food in the Stadium, we stopped at a deli on 161st and for $6.50 came away with a very good sandwich, The Honeymooner. If I'm going to be in the Bronx I am going to order a sandwich named after my favorite TV show.
At the entrance we were actually greeted by attendants who were very courteous, pass baggage check and directly ahead of us was section 110 and our seats, field level first base side, Great!
But first we received, as one of the first 10,000 in the stadium, A Mariano Rivera fathead poster, not to be confused with the M. Rivera bobble head doll. An oversized sticker of Mo in action. Suitable for framing but where to hang it?
We walked around a bit and while I never did get the sausage sandwich, the aroma was very, very tempting. While the food prices were high they were not outrageous, they seem to make their money on $5 water and souvenirs, There was a time when you could not buy an official, wool Yankee hat. Now they are available at every turn, for $25-45. There are stalls and stores in every corner and the stores were crowded, even during the game. Perhaps that was the biggest difference from the old Stadium. In it you came to watch the game. You also resisted going to the bathroom during those Bronx is burning days of old. At the new place you wander, visit the displays, shop, eat, shop, spend money, repeat.
Of the 41,000 in attendance, it was obvious that many skipped school to attend this rare day game. I am not opposed as long as it does not become a habit and there is no way that it can since all teams have cut down significantly on day games. There is nothing like seeing the field on a sun lit day, blue skies, flags flying.
The technology is awe inspiring and everything you need to know about the pitchers performance, the batters stats and some little known tidbits are all available for you to see.
The seating is comfy, and the view of the game very good from wherever you sit.
While it does resemble a baseball mall with all the bells, whistles and hawking of merchandise, hey you got to pay Alex Rodriquez, the place is pretty nice.
Also the Yankees won, the game was interesting, I only spent $5.00 in the park, sorry Alex but consider it my form of protest against your steroid use. Actually it is because I still cannot bring myself to spend close to $100 for a day at "The Big Ball Park" as Red Barber use to say.
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