Does it seem bigger to you? The stadium? The field? The entire place? That’s the question I kept asking people on Opening Day at the new Yankee Stadium. And most people that I asked said yes, it does seem bigger. Less seats but more space.
When you get off the subway and cross the street from the old Stadium and stand under the new gold-lettered Yankee Stadium sign, it is impressive. And it is big, the Yankee Stadium store and the Hard Rock Café just under it on the corner. It seems appropriately big.
“It’s too big,” one of the clubhouse attendants told me and he leaned over the front rail of the visitor’s dugout two hours before the game. It was a fine spring day and he was talking about the inside of Yankee Stadium not the field, which he thinks actually looks smaller.
“It used to be cozy and we complained it was too small.” He smiled. “Now, it’s too big. The quickest way from clubhouse to clubhouse is here.” He pointed across the field to the Yankees dugout. “But it’s good for me. I could use the exercise.”
There were several times during a well-attended Opening Day when I found myself in a corridor or a stairwell completely alone. The interior space is expansive. The front offices are located in left field so that an assistant will think twice before walking down to the Yankee clubhouse, lest he forget anything and have to make the long trek back.
The whole structure is not only bigger it is more open too. There are concourses with standing room areas to stop and watch the game. There are plenty of shops and food stands. You can even get a nice pear. There isn’t much room for vertigo. The nose bleed seats still feel close to the field. And there is less room between home plate and the seats, by maybe ten, fifteen feet. Behind the plate, fans are certainly closer to the action.
Jorge Posada hit the first home run in the new jernt, over the netting in center field, right on top of Monument Park. That was about the only highlight for the Yankees who got rocked by the Indians, 10-2. CC Sabathia wasn’t bad at all but he labored, walking five and throwing 122 pitches in all. Still, he only allowed one run in five and two-thirds.
Jose Veras and Damaso Marte gave it up in the seventh. Grady Sizemore’s grand slam was the game-breaker. Victor Martinez followed with a bomb into the left field bleachers. The Yankee fans booed and they booed loudly, baptizing the place in Bronx cheer. Poor Cody Ransom left nine runners on base. Nine.
I exited the Stadium from the bleachers onto River Avenue near 164th street. The subway runs overhead. Moving north, past the stadium is a VIP parking garage–the players park in the batcave, underneath the park. Across 164th street is Mullaly Park, which features ramps and jumps for skaters and bmx-bike, x-game kids. The kids are off from school this week and a gang of neighborhood daredevils and adrenaline junkies were riding around casually and without hesitation. Several of them were drinking cans of Red Bull. I wondered if any of them were baseball fans at all.
I took a left on 164th street and walked west. Three pretty girls with Red Bull backpack coolers strapped on their backs stood outside the entrance of Mullaly Park giving out drinks. The next block over is Jerome avenue. Across the street from the stadium is a wonderful old art deco building complex. Cars are double parked outside of the building, mostly limousines. Since the stadium is now one block further away from the Major Deegan, traffic will be worse. How will life change for people who live in the buildings across the street from the stadium? Could be a long summer.
It was chilly now. The fans may have been disappointed but they were still lively as they left the stadium. The day was bigger than the score. Some stopped to take more pictures; others, with an eye on rush hour, hurried to get home.
Man. I had to go to practice late in the 6th when it was still 1-1. Kinda glad I missed this one. My condolences to those who suffered through the whole thing. Bleh. They'll get the ball rolling. Eventually.
Great piece Alex, but I disagree that the fans are closer to the action. That's only true behind home (unless that's what you meant).
Great post Alex. I was there today in the bleachers as well. My initial impression is that it is definitely a more open and expansive space than the old park, the "coziness" factor isn't in the layout of the concourses but the proximity to the field. I sat in the left field bleachers, seats that in the old park would have two bullpens and Monument Park seperating me from the field, that barrier is gone now. I felt higher up from the field (slightly below the mezzanine) but somehow closer to the action.
It isn't "home" yet, thats going to take some time. But after all the drama of the relocation, what with the prices and the ticket plan craziness, and just the general sturm und drang over leaving the old for the new I'm glad I could finally sit down at my seat and watch a game. A game that turned out to be pretty unwatchable after the 6th inning, but thats ok. I'll be back on Monday night, I think that will give me a better chance to get a feel for the place. A random Monday in April against the A's isn't the same as "The Social Event of The Season" that today was, and that is a good thing.
So I guess what I'm saying is, I liked it. And my forearms are sunburned, so thats fun too.
I liked it more today too. Good catch Cliff, that's exactly what I meant, behind home plate. Fixed it.
This was my third chance to see the new place and have come away liking it more each time. I had more time to walk around this time and found some cool things I didn't see last weekend. One of the coolest things is a secluded area off the steps that lead from the bleacher area up to the Terrace and Grandstand. There is a landing on the way that practically abuts against the 4 train platform. As I was looking out, the train came roaring by, which really made you feel as if you were in an urban area. In fact, the location of this ballpark really seems to set off the surrounding area. Whether it's the plaza areas facing the old place or the tree lined street that runs parallel to the MJD or the parks and buildings along Jerome, the new place really seems as if it is much more a part of the neighborhood.
As for the seats, this was my third different location and all have been excellent views. This time, I sat in the Terrace between home and third base. While the upper level is further way from the field, the trade off is you can now see the entire playing surface. Also, the seats are angled for comfort, meaning no more Yankee Stadium upper deck strained neck syndrome. On my other visits, I also sat in the left field bleachers, which are 100x better than the old place (and may be one of the best seats in the house), and just over the right field wall in the lower level. Needless to say, that seat was fantastic.
Some nice added touches (I didn't notice them last week) were the addition of the retired numbers behind the LF bleachers and each WS year behind the RF bleachers.
The only negative experience dealt with parking and traffic around the stadium. I figured by arriving around 9:45am, I wouldn't have trouble, but the area was already swamped. My old short cuts for the old place didn't work this time as River Avenue barely moved from 167 on down. What's more, the River Ave. lots were only permitting pre-paids as early as 10:45. I eventually found a spot on the Grand Concourse so I saved the $20, but someone who doesn't know the area well will likely face some difficulties parking (at least until more spaces are added).
Finally, I think my favorite part of the whole day was during the playing of Centerfield by John Fogerty. The scoreboard was showing Yankee CF'ers of the past and the crowd let out a big cheer when Bobby Murcer appeared on the screen. Then, it cut to a shot of Murcer looking up at the crowd from the old field...the fans cheered again, and the image of Murcer looked sheepish and tipped his cap...as if he was recognizing the cheers from the day's crowd...not the one on the film.
As for the game, the Yankees can not keep throwing Ransom out there. Even it means a heaping dose of Berroa, they need to make a move. Not only are his ABs awful, but he is very shaky in the field. He did have one very nice play, but his error on a routine ball in the 6th really set the stages for the debacle in the 7th. Because the inning was extended, Girardi had to burn Edwar and Coke, leaving Veras and Marte to self destruct an inning later.
Speaking of Veras, I don't see why he has been given such a prominent role. His control has always been suspect and he isn’t dominant enough to pitch around walks. With the arms the Yankees have in the minors, I hope Veras' rope is short. I'd say the same about Marte, but with his contract, he'll be around for a while.
"You can even get a nice pear."
And with that line, you become a great writer, in my eyes.
****
Hey, as I said in the other thread - I am glad they got walloped. I'd rather they won I guess, but I think it was appropriate that fate - *ahem* in the form of The Tribe - finally let some of the hot air out of that place. The loss stinks, but all the bullshit needed to be checked anyway.
Sabathia kind of worries me. He really needs to relax. After the post-season beatings I've seen him receive, then opening day, then this, it doesn't paint a pretty picture. In the end, his line for the game was good, but he looked like he was about to cough it up quite a few times. Of course, they couldn't hit with RISP either but I'm used to that.
Great work Alex, Cliff, William and Tartabull. I feel like I was there with you all!
Really bummed about the loss though..had tonight all prepared. Pizza and beer at home, authentic jersey's cleaned and ironed for me and the 1-yr old, even the lady had a t-shirt ready..ah Fugg-It, going to watch anyways, start of a new era after all!
William, you are right about Ransom..it's kind of painful to watch someone blow the only opportunity they will ever have..
What were the batting practice policies? or was BP all fouled up because of the ceremonies? I assume the MP line was insane.
I'm thinking I might try to get there a little early on Monday and check out the museum. I walked by it after the 7th today, I figured the game was out of hand so why not use the opportunity to get myself acquainted with the new place a little bit, line was insane though. Has anyone gone to it?
[9] There was so much else to do that batting practice was an after thought. Having said that, I suspect that the policy may be more restrictive than I had hoped, mostly because it seems as if someone is checking tickets at every section, not just the premium seats. In a way, that's a very good thing because it lessens the chances of arriving at your seat to see it already taken. I just hope they'll figure out a way to let people watch batting practice (at least the Yankees BP) from any section they like.
[10] That's still on my list too...I am saving it for another trip.
[11] Gotcha.
I was really hoping that Monument Park would be open throughout the game, but I guess it's position (in CF in the hitting eye AND next to the BPs) prevents that. I gave up going to MP years ago, though I at least had seen it before
So how bad is the bullpen then?? I saw 10-2 and assumed CC had a meltdown again.. maybe..just maybe...Hughes to the rotation and Joba back to the pen....??? (Can't believe I typed it but..Marte & Veras are making me go a bit loco..)
[14] Veras and Marte simply do not throw strikes. I'd much rather see Girardi use Edwar and Albaladejo more, at least until promoting Melancon.
Edwar, Melancon and Bruney as the main link to Mo..will that be enough? Marte just a sunk cost then?
I don't understand how you can spend 200 million and never have a lights out bullpen.
[14] That's kooky talk. Just stop it now. [15] William is right--if Marte and Coke and Veras can't produce, start cycling through the other arms, and consider what they have at AAA.
Now, my own overreaction is that I am deeply, deeply concerned with Wang. I would especially not be so quick to move Joba into the pen when I have a strong feeling that they will need all the starters they can get, especially if there is something wrong with Wang
[16] [17] I think a bullpen that features Bruney, Edwar and Melancon with Coke as the primary lefty would be just fine. Veras is the clearly the weakest link and one could argue he cost the Yankees two games already. Considering that he has no track record, I don't see why he has inherited such a prominent role.
[16] Because there is just about no way to predict a lights out BP. That's why these guys are in the BP to begin with: they are failed starters or one-pitch guys, or lefty specialists or what have you. Hell, even the great Yankees BPs of 1996 to 2000 involved a bunch of luck. Look at at 1996: Mo just sort of happened, Nelson pitched like ass most of the season, most of the BP had a below average ERA. They just came together at the right time. Oh, and Mo just sort of happened.
Kooky talk indeed! I can't stand games blown by the pen..
[18] Agreed. But is Huston Street still available?
[16] Well the pen was mostly lights out in the Tampa games (not counting the Wang meltdown game). Pens are fungible, even Mo has his stretch of WWWM every few months. Veras and Marte did look awful today, but they've looked really good on other occasions. I don't think you make huge changes based on an inning or two of work. Also, had Sabathia been more efficient than the pen wouldn't have been as stretched. Throwing 122 pitches in less than 6 innings is not good. Some more runs from the offense would have also lessened the pressure a bit, there were pretty much anemic today. I really like Ransom as a guy, but he is just really, really bad as a player, at least right now. His ABs just look bad. I'm sure a lot of it is nerves and pressing, I mean the guy is subbing for A-Rod in Yankee Stadium on Opening day, but he just did not look very strong to me.
The main lesson I've gotten about building a pen, is you spend some money to get one of the truly elite guys (Mo, Nathan, K-Rod etc.) and the rest is best left to filling with young, interchangeable parts due to the inconsistency of most relief pitchers.
My patience for Marte has just about run out. And I have close to three more years of this.
Ah, bullpens and their management.
If we tracked most-discussed topics, would that one be at or near the top? I have a feeling.
Marte has a real track record as an effective reliever. I'd give the man some rope (and not to hang himself). As a couple of people above have said, relievers are relievers for a reason, and guys do lose and regain their stuff. Bruney was useless his first time out, then lights-out twice. Veras is actually like Bruney: Ks a batter an inning plus but has control issues. But if there's enough depth in AAA and lesser roles with the club, you can try to dodge him in major situations till he shows he's in a groove.
I have a growing desire (unfairly!) to put this on Girardi, like the last one, but Sabathia was at 122 (note: era last 3 years in April of 6.75. He'll be fine.) but at some point you roll out the guys you have and expect them to do a job.
I won't dump on Ransom, though: that was a long throw, he was on-line with it, and we have a 1st baseman who is alleged to be superb at scoops. That was NOT a hard scoop. Even on YES they said, 'That'll be an error, we'll see who they give it to.' If it bounces it HAS to be the thrower, but it was a pretty easy 1st base play.
Alex, come home, all is forgiven. Start spreadin' the news.
Robertson should be given the chance to fail. I think he's better than Edwar or Alby.
Ransom is not even replacement level.
[23] I'm not dumping on Ransom, on a personal level I'm really rooting for him. The guy's 33 though, and his track record says he really is about this player, a below replacement level hitter who's value is in his glove. If his glove then isn't stellar, I don't really see the point. Pena is a much better fielder, and faster. Berroa (I can't believe I'm saying this) is likely a slightly better hitter.
One side effect though is that I heard something at the stadium being yelled out I never thought I would, "We want A-Rod!" I thought I was in bizzaro world.