Com’on Lonn…
So, today, I get my invoice from the Yankees for 2009 Post-Season tickets. And, it comes with a letter from Lonn A. Trost, the Yankees C.O.O.
Trost’s letter opens with:
Dear Yankees Fan:
Over a span of just a few short months, Yankee Stadium has already been the site of several memorable and unforgettable moments.
Anyone who was in attendance on Opening Day will surely recall the pageantry and pride that went into unveiling the Yankees’ sparkling new home.
On May 15, Brett Gardner’s inside-the-park home run propelled the Yankees to a victory against the Twins and put a smile on the face of a young girl awaiting a heart transplant, a girl that Gardner had met in a children’s hospital earlier that day. And who can forget August 7, when A-Rod’s 15th-inning home run broke up a scoreless tie against the Red Sox, or the numerous come from behind victories and walk-off home runs?
It’s likely that you have your own particular moments that will stay with you forever. And that is what Yankee Stadium is all about, unforgettable games and unforgettable moments.
So far, 2009 has been a season for the ages; the come from behind victories, the pinch-hit home runs and the amazing plays in the field. The excitement in the Bronx has been palpable and it is sure to increase as the seasons draws to a conclusion. As we enter the home stretch for the 2009 American League East Division title, the Yankees have begun preparations for a return to the postseason in our Inaugural Season of our new home. It is also time for you to start making preparations for a return to Yankee Stadium to enjoy the postseason.
Since when did Yankees post-season tickets become such a hard sell that the team has to play the “smile on the face of a young girl awaiting a heart transplant” card? Really, is it necessary to use this poor girl’s misfortune in an attempt to pitch coming to see October baseball in the Bronx?
Michael Kay always quotes Buck Showalter with the line of “If you do something good for someone, and somebody other than you and them knows about it, you have to question what your intention was really all about.”
Gardner went to see that sick kid because that’s the way he is…and it was a nice thing for the kid. He didn’t do it for some P.R., etc. Shame on the Yankees for trying to use that now…to fluff up the new Yankee Stadium experience.
Hey, Lonn, you know what? At this moment, the Yankees are 48-20 at home this season, in first place, and going into the post-season, most likely, as the team with the best record in the league for the first time since 2006. That should be good enough for a sales pitch. Leave the sick kid out of it.
Of course he did it for the PR – all of the Yankees hospital visits etc are for the PR. Otherwise there wouldn’t be cameras and reporters along with them. They want to do something for the good of the human race? They can come to my nursing home and wipe butts and feed people for 8 hours a day.
Ouch! Catherine…if they did, I’m sure Trost would write about it.
They want to do something for the good of the human race? They can come to my nursing home and wipe butts and feed people for 8 hours a day.
Isnt this in Arod’s contract?
I’m glad the invoice goes to my buddy who I share season tickets with. If I saw this letter I would have puked.