I’ve been to playoffs and World Series games at the new place, which I never did at the old place. To me, it seemed like the joint was rocking pretty good, and the tension in the air in tight games seemed palpable, but I can’t compare it to the old place, except that I did see some packed house regular season games in September vs. the Red Sox in both 1977 and 1978, and the joint was jumping.

I don’t really mind the empty moat seats; those people are picking up a ton of the money that goes into the team, so if they want to watch from their lounge when it’s too hot and humid, or too cold, or too wet, I have no objection to it. It’s their money. I also have no objection to the exclusivity and keeping other people out; people in those seats have paid at least 3 times as much as anyone else in the park, and in some cases, over 20 times as much. I do agree “the optics” are very bad on the CF camera shot in many home games, but I’ve learned to live with it.

But in terms of amenities, with two exception, the new place is far, far better than the old place in every way I can think of. The first exception is the squeezing of the monuments into Monument Cave. The 2nd is that I used to be able to park right across the street from the old Stadium; now I park in the same lot, and I have to walk across Heritage Field.

It was sweet at the old place. In the 90′s I could buy a ticket back in the lower reserve behind home on the 1st base side for $10. I’d stay for the last out, then race out the nearest ground-level exit and right across the street to my car, pay the attendants a couple of bucks to have them dig me out from spot (move the cars in front of me), turn right and right again, and be on the Deegan South heading home before 90% of the crowd had even left the Stadium. The only problem was that was before they got great again. But it sure was easy to go to a weekday night game. The game would end 10-10:30, and I’d be home at 11 many nights.

Nowadays, with road destruction everywhere, it takes more than an hour to get home many nights. But the games start at 7 instead of 7:30 now.

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Ballparks I’ve seen a game at: All 3 Yankee Stadiums, Shea Stadium, Citifield, Fenway Park, Veterans Stadium, Oakland Coliseum, Dodgers’ Stadium, Anaheim Stadium (my sister lived in LA for several years, and when I’d visit her, she’d arrange tickets to a game).

Ballparks I’d like to see a game at: both Chicago parks (never been to Chicago). I’d like to see both Comerica Park and the Rogers Centre on one trip to that area. Camden Yards and the new Citizens’ Bank on the same trip. PNC park and Progressive Field on the same trip. Miller Park and Target Field on the same trip. Great American and Busch on the same trip.

Ah well, maybe when I retire in a few years.

Steve,

Fenway is a great place to see a game. If your seats are aywhere between 1st and 3rd (including the last row), you feel like you’re on the field. Go when they’re playing the Yankees. They’ll be plenty of Yankee fans there. Or, go this yr when you can join their fans booing them no matter what team they’re playing.

As to the new Yankee stadium, I agree it’s easier to move around, use a bathroom, the food is better. But, it lacks any charm, the empty moat seats are ridiculous, not allowing fans (esp kids w/o tix to the moat access for autographs is a shame, and the prices are ridiculous. Plus, I miss knowing Ruth, Gehrig, Mantle, etc played there.

I guess they’re going to bring him up and move him into the rotation and CC to the pen to be the 2nd lefty.

No, it’s never justified to sign a major league veteran who’s down and out to a cheap minor league contract. It’s like it’s 2012, and the world is coming to an end.

Or something.

Keep pluckin’ that chicken.

sicilianlou wrote:

I simply do not get this move and why the decision to sign another shoulder injury pitcher?

What is there to get? The linked article even said the move was for minor league depth.

If Maine can chew up innings at AAA, that saves the ballclub from having to tax actual prospects. He’s cannon fodder and the Yankees are transparently using him as such. In exchange, Maine gets to stick in the game a little bit longer (and for a paycheck), knowing full well that, short of an injury on the 25-man roster or pitching insanely well, all he gets to be is a AAA arm.

haha I don’t think that’s ever the answer.

Steve L. wrote:

My seats are $80 each. Factor in the price of food and drink at the Stadium…

I no longer eat/drink at the stadium. I bring in sandwiches and drinks from that deli on 161st between River and Gerard. Two sandwiches, two drinks, a bag of chips/pretzels, a little bit of dessert (say, Starburst, for the 6th inning) and a NY Post usually runs me about $19. Totally worth it; healthier, cheaper, no waiting in lines.

@ Steve L.:
Just make sure you’re paying attention if you’re in the seats. The balls comes at you really, really fast.

Nice. It does sound like a great deal if you get can get these for $200 or less.

My seats are $80 each. Factor in the price of food and drink at the Stadium and then $200 each is worth it – for the view, etc.

@ Steve L.:
Yup, restaurant included too. Only thing not included is alcohol. Everything is all you can consume.