I actually did “LOL” when I read this one comment left by one of his readers regarding the difference between the new Yankee Stadium and the last one:

The real difference: The old stadium was “The Warriors.” The new stadium is “Walt Disney presents The Warriors…on Ice!!!”

Funny stuff.

I went to the first regular-season game ever at the new Yankee Stadium. And, I went to a number of games there in 2010 and 2011. This year, to date, I have gone once and plan on going at least another three times.

I went to games at the last Yankee Stadium so many times that I’ve lost count. For sure it was probably at least a hundred times. Maybe closer to 150?

In any event, I have grown to really like the larger and open concourses and better restrooms at the new Stadium. And, the staff there is much more friendly than at the old Stadium. But, the new place is way too expensive and it just does not have the feel of the old Stadium. Neyer hits on this when he writes:

I’ve had a bit stronger reaction, perhaps because I’m not predisposed toward the franchise. Yankee Stadium is perfectly serviceable, but upon my first visit this week I was actually disappointed. Disappointed with its lack of character. Disappointed with its lack of charisma. Disappointed with its lack of gravitas.

The only major league ballparks that I’ve attended are the first Yankee Stadium (back in 1973), Shea Stadium, the last Yankee Stadium, and the new Yankee Stadium. So, I cannot compare the new Yankee Stadium to anything else but the last Yankee Stadium.

Soon, I would like to visit Citi Field, Camden Yards and Citizens Bank Park to get some perspective. And, if possible, I would love to see games at Comerica Park, Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Safeco Field, PNC Park, Wrigley Field and AT&T Park. (I’m on the fence with Fenway Park. The baseball history nut in me wants to see it. But, I’ve heard that it’s not a comfortable place to watch a game. And, the Yankees fan in me would have a hard time sitting there with all those Red Sox fans, I suspect.)

I went to the last Friday home game this season – the one that was called just after it was scheduled to start and then rescheduled for Sunday night (against the Red Sox). And, I parked in the River Avenue garage.

While I was inside the Stadium, someone stuck a hard flyer under my windshield wipers (in the garage) – which I didn’t notice until I pulled out of the garage (after the game was called).

Of course, since it was raining, and I was driving in the South Bronx, in the dark, I didn’t elect to pull it off my car – and the damn thing stuck to my windshield during the whole ride home.

The next morning, I noticed that most of it had emulsified into pulp stuck on my car – but, there was still enough of it left for me to tell that the flyer had BaldVinny.com and SwishersWishes.com (or something like that) on it.

In the end, it left a mark on the windshield – that’s still there now. (I guess I can try and Windex if off or something.)

So, I suppose that will be my final “Bald Vinny” Stadium memory…at least until I figure out how to get that ink stain off my windshield.

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Yanks have only lost one of these in my lifetime. I hope they maintain that this evening.

The New York Yankees will hold a special pregame ceremony on Friday, September 23, to honor the 50th anniversary of Roger Maris setting a then-Major League record with 61 home runs in 1961.

The Yankees ask that fans take their seats by 6:20 p.m. with ceremonies slated to begin at 6:30 p.m., prior to the Yankees-Red Sox game scheduled to begin at 7:05 p.m.

Joining the Yankees for the day’s celebration will be the families of Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle, as well as former teammates.

The group will be introduced as part of an on-field ceremony emceed by actor Billy Crystal. In addition, Roger Maris bat as well as the 61st home run ball on loan from the Baseball Hall of Fame will on the field during the ceremony. Following a video tribute, the Yankees Foundation will present a donation to the Roger Maris Cancer Center in Fargo, N.D.

Cheryl Howard, daughter of Yankees All-Star catcher Elston Howard who was a teammate of Maris from 1960-66, will sing the national anthem.

This is a nice treat for the fans who will be there this evening. I just hope it doesn’t rain during the ceremony.

Officials in the Bronx are hoping to put a hotel and conference center on the site of one of Yankee Stadium’s parking garages.

Condos, shops and a high-end penthouse restaurant are all part of the plan.

The Bronx Overall Economic Development Corp. on Monday invited developers for proposals.

The site to be developed is at River Avenue and 153rd Street, bordering the park where old Yankee Stadium stood.

Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. said developers and hotel operators have expressed interest in such a hotel for years.

Chuck Lesnick, vice president of the agency that manages the stadium garages, said he hoped visiting baseball teams as well as tourists would be attracted to the hotel.

This is the best idea that I’ve heard since someone suggested opening up a chain of Chuck E. Cheese’s in Somalia.

Derek Jeter’s 3,000th hit came the last time the Rays were in town, and they’ll celebrate it all over again on Saturday afternoon. Here’s the press release from the Yankees, asking fans to be in their seats by 3:45 p.m. ET:

YANKEES TO CELEBRATE DEREK JETER’S 3,000TH CAREER HIT WITH A SPECIAL PREGAME CEREMONY ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 13

The New York Yankees tonight announced that a special pregame ceremony celebrating Derek Jeter’s 3,000th career hit will be held prior to Saturday’s game between the Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays, scheduled to begin at 4:10 p.m. Gates will open two hours prior to first pitch at 2:00 p.m. and fans are encouraged to arrive early and be in their seats by 3:45 p.m.

On July 9, 2011, Jeter became the 28th player all time—and at 37 years, 13 days the fourth youngest—to reach the 3,000-hit plateau with a third-inning solo home run off Tampa Bay’s David Price. Jeter would finish the game 5-for-5 with the game-winning RBI single in the eighth inning. He joined Wade Boggs as the only two players to hit a home run as their 3,000th career hit, and became only the second player to record at least five hits in the game in which they recorded their 3,000th hit (also Craig Biggio).

And, more:

Details of today’s #DJ3K ceremony being kept under wraps even to Jeter. Says no one has told him a thing.

Shame the game is on FOX today. I don’t know why the Yankees wouldn’t wait for Sunday so that they could show the whole thing on YES. I wonder what surprises they have in store for Jeter?

Made me wonder if they did the same for Rod Scurry.  But, then I looked and saw him died in the off-season.

They may have done one for Steve Howe.  I seem to recall that  – but, it could be my mind playing tricks on me.

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Click on the thumbnails to enlarge the pictures.

Jeter squatting just after the National Anthem.

Jeter on first base after career hit #2,999

Jeter At Bat in the 3rd Inning – where he would eventually homer.

Teammates hug Jeter after he cross plate on homerun for career hit #3,000.

Jeter rounding first on 5th inning double – career hit #3,001.

Christian Lopez interview during the 8th inning.

Jeter batting in the 8th inning with the winning run on third base. He would drive him in with career hit #3,003.

Yankees celebrate after winning DJ3K Game at Yankee Stadium – July 9, 2011.