~~~So Steve, what did your kids think of their day at the Stadium?~~~

They’ve been to about a dozen minor league games. So, they had an idea of what it was about – - but, this was 50,000+ more people than they’re used to seeing at a game. Plus, even though we were in the main reserved section, this was probably they furthest away they’ve sat from the field…so, you have to factor that in as well..in terms of making this different.

When they weren’t eating, they did ask a few times “Can we go home now?” (And, we’re talking about the 3rd inning here.) I think the issue was being bound to their seat – whereas at a minor league game, they can move around a lot more.

Plus, we were in the park around 90 minutes before the first pitch. So, this was a long day for them…when you also tack on the 75 minute drive there.

Also, there’s more in between innings at the minor league games to keep their interest. Here, it just seemed like loud noise to them.

They did get a big kick when I yelled “Hip! Hip!” and people would yell back “Jorge!” – - or when I yelled “Let’s go, Yan-keys!” and people would clap back in response. (Yes, I’m a shameless leather lunged chant starter.)

Still, at the end of the day, when we left, the first thing they said when we hit the street was “Can we come back here again? When can we come back?”

And, tonight, my oldest asked, when we were home, again “When can we go back? I want to go back to Yankee Stadium.”

Maybe it was the dip-n-dots, hot dogs, popcorn, pretzels, new caps, pennants and stuffed bears that interested them? (Yes, that smell is my credit card burning in the background.)

Still, bottom line, I got them into the “old” place before it comes down – and I have some video to prove it. Maybe, when they’re older, it will mean something, to them, to be able to say they were in the “old” (to them) Yankee Stadium before it was no more?

I know I was happy to get into the other “old” one in 1973…so, I can at least say I was there once…even if I was young at the time.

So Steve, what did your kids think of their day at the Stadium?

Steve, you have it right. This isn’t the same team — not the same as last year, not the same as the last World Series year, and certainly not the same as the last championship team. The deeper into the season you go, you are what your record says you are.

Some of the breakdown is puzzling. No one expected Cano to hit .340 again, but his decline has been greater than we would have guessed. Others seem to be aging before our eyes at least a year sooner than I would have anticipated. The entire outfield looks old and sluggish. Damon’s fall off from just two years ago is surprising, given his positive health history. Abreu seems lost after his terrific half-season. Giambi is another player showing alarming signs of age. Counting him, the team has three first-baseman who don’t add up to one complete player at a traditional power position. So almost half the line-up is underperforming. The bench is a non-factor.

On the mound, I wonder if Wang’s performance is closer to what we should look for from a pitcher who doesn’t strike out many hitters. Are some of the ground balls finding holes now? Mussina’s problems have been amply discussed on all the blogs. I am not disappointed in the kids such as Clippard and Desalvo because they are being asked to do more than they should have to. It isn’t reasonable to expect a rookie to be much better than a .500 pitcher — few are. The bullpen is another familiar problem

No, this isn’t a good team anymore. As the trading deadline approaches, the pressure (from the boss, the press, and many fans) for a quick fix may increase. Will Cashman, fearing for his future, trade away the team’s future?

The last call didn’t cost them the game — they had their opportunities — but you can’t deny it altered the game. And it wasn’t even close. If you’re not frustrated over a call like that, what DOES frustrate you? I was surprised the players or Torre didn’t have an even bigger reaction on the field.

That’s a really tough way to lose. I personally think it was a long shot to come all the way back, but K-Rod has been known to get a little wild at times, so anything could have happened. Jeter was ondeck. It would have at least been nice to have the opportunity.

While you certainly can’t pin the whole game on it, that strike three call was ridiculous. The pitch was nearly in the other batter’s box.