Today’s news is powered by “Richard Cheese and Lounge Against the Machine” (jump to the 1:30 mark):
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- Matt Holliday a Yankee come 2010 (or late-2009)?:
There are certain requirements that come with this job, and one is this: Whenever you’re interviewing a big-name, impending free agent, you must ask him whether he would consider playing in New York.
“Yeah, I would play here,” Matt Holliday told Midweek Insider Tuesday night, before his A’s 5-3 loss to the Yankees. “I’d have no problem playing here.” . . .
When this winter arrives, Holliday will have at least one good adviser, in addition to Boras. Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira is also a Boras client, and the two men became friendly while they were teammates on Team USA in the 2006 World Baseball Classic.
“I consider (Teixeira) a good enough friend to talk about decisions,” Holliday said. “His situation obviously is similar to mine. He’s a year ahead of me in all of the things that have kind of happened. He’s definitely a good resource.”
- If you are “flush” with cash, you can “flush” in private at the Stadium, reports PeteAbe:
How far does the class warfare extend in Yankee Stadium? All the way to the men’s room.
According to the charmingly titled Fack Youk blog, there are dividers between the urinals in the field level bathrooms but not in the bathrooms elsewhere in the stadium.
- Is there NOTHING Nick Swisher can’t do?:
Nick Swisher will ring the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange (Friday) at 9:30 a.m. according to the Yankees.
The market has to go up, right? Either that or Swish will try to talk to every trader, they’ll forget their jobs and the we’ll all be lining up for government cheese in a week.
- The A.P. (as reported in the Boston Herald) has some pretty depressing seating figures from the first homestand:
A count by The Associated Press totaled 1,895 seats in the Legends Suite, of which 146 were in the front row from dugout to dugout, costing $2,500 as season tickets and $2,625 individually.
— On Tuesday night, only 64 of the 146 seats at the top price level were occupied in the bottom of the second inning. The outermost Legends Suite sections, which each contain 90 seats, were entirely empty until two fans finally emerged to sit in them during the late innings.
— On Wednesday, in the third inning, just 37 of the highest-priced, front-row seats were occupied, although it was impossible to know if some fans had taken shelter in stadium restaurants.
Yet another sign of how the best seats have been overpriced is their resale level.
Legends Suite seats in section 27B, row 2, down the left-field line that originally sold for $500 were available for $225 early Wednesday on the online ticket broker StubHub.com. Tickets in section 23, row 7, behind the visitors’ dugout could be had for $263, down from their $850 original price.
- Despite the down economy, SI.com reports (via Forbes magazine) that the Yanks franchise is doing fine:
One-third of Major League Baseball teams declined in value over the past year while the New York Yankees’ worth increased 15 percent to $1.5 billion, according to the annual estimates by Forbes magazine. . . .
Bolstered by their new $1.5 billion stadium, the Yankees showed the top increase and remained the most valuable franchise in the majors. The New York Mets, also boosted by a new ballpark, were second in value ($912 million) and increase (11 percent).
- Here is the Yankees data sheet from the Forbes article.
- Minor league pitching coordinator Nardi Contreras has updates on the performances of three Yankee prospects (Horne, Sanchez and De La Rosa).
- ESPN has a bunch of Brian Cashman-generated news, including this:
. . . the team will monitor the number of home runs hit in its new stadium but cautioned it’s too soon to make a judgment and suggested it was part of a wider phenomenon.
Cashman, speaking at Southern Connecticut State University, said the sample is small because the season has just started.
“It’s something we’re going to have to keep our eye on because clearly the numbers don’t lie,” Cashman said.
But Cashman also said home runs are traveling about eight feet farther so far this year compared to last season.
“It’s possible that the ballpark is a home run-type park,” Cashman said in an interview before his talk. “We’ll see. The ball is going farther in every park, not just ours.”
- Alex Rodriguez is just workin’ his way back to us, babe . . .:
Alex Rodriguez’s target return date of May 15 keeps getting closer, and the rehabilitation on his surgically repaired hip continues to grow more intense.
While training at the Yankees’ Spring Training home in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday, the All-Star third baseman ran the bases for the first time since undergoing right hip surgery on March 9, according to The Associated Press.
Rodriguez ran 10 times between first and second base — including twice with a trainer pulling on a strap around his waist — and also increased his defensive drills, the AP said. Rodriguez charged slow rollers for the first time and extended his range while going after grounders.
- MLBTradeRumors notes that the Yanks have no one with an option for the 2010 season.
- Sean Henn turns 28 today. Henn never could find the plate for the Bombers, walking 43 (and allowing 73 hits, including 11 homers) in 57.1 innings of work over three seasons from ’04 to ’06.
- On this date in 1903, behind the pitching of Harry Howell, the New York Highlanders win their first major league game, 7 – 2, over the Washington Senators.
- On this date in 1975, Roy White again hit home runs from both sides of the plate, this time in an 11 – 7 loss to the Boston Red Sox. White last switch-hit home runs on August 13, 1973.
- On this date in 2000, in a 10-7 victory over the Blue Jays, Bernie Williams and Jorge Posada become the first teammates to hit a home run from both sides of the plate in the same game.
- We lost “Summer of ’49” author David Halberstam on this date two years ago. He was 72 and died from injuries sustained in a car crash.
"Legends Suite seats in section 27B, row 2, down the left-field line that originally sold for $500 were available for $225 early Wednesday on the online ticket broker StubHub.com. Tickets in section 23, row 7, behind the visitors’ dugout could be had for $263, down from their $850 original price."
This kinda answers some questions and issues from the previous thread. When that $263 comes down to $100, I might makes me a trip to New Tork City (skyscrapers and everything).
Um, if this is class warfare, aren't the "poor" winning? Who's attending games and who is? Which sections are empty and which are packed?
It's seems to me that the rich in NYC are doing a great job working through their levers of power in the media. No surprise there. I just don't understand how many non-rich are falling for it. There are plenty of cheap seats available. Just take look at stubhub.
Oh... and on a discussion of Holliday's pending Pinstripes on RAB, a few suggested Carl Crawford as a younger and cheaper option. Now I likes me some Carl, younger is always good, and he is certainly better with the leather. But the age diff is only 1.5 years, and even considering Coors and all, MH has a carrer OPS+ of 131 compared to Crawfords of 100. 100? Dead average for Carl? I was kind of surprised.
If the economy stays depressed, JD MIGHT go for a one year 'extension'... although even if that's an option, I'm not sure how I feel about it. JD has certainly surprised by lasting 4 years. Do you push that.
With JD and Matsui gone, and maybe Nady too, we are left with a little league OF. Our infield is set through 2010 (and 2011?), so we can only upgrade our O at DH and OF. I don't know how we can pass on Holliday.
[2] Can you define 'cheap'?
@4
Yeah, it's a relative term - let's say < $100 (even as I can't afford that and I think it's an obscene amount to spend on a non-playoff baseball game).
I'm gonna say this right now. For the $ and the years Holliday will demand (lest us not forget the "Yankee Premium" and the luxury tax) I am fine with them just driving up the price for another suitor, but eventually bowing out.
Is anyone else feeling like shelling out $100+ to visit the new Stadium (with all its bells and whistles) is now like dropping $80 to get into Disneyland . . . as in "You gotta do it at least once .... but maybe not twice"
Between SRO, Bleachers, and Upper Deck I'd say the new stadium has its fair share of cheap seats. I pay $12 for mine, now the bleachers clearly are not for everybody but it isn't like cheap seats don't exist.
this oughta be a fun weekend.
Red Sox slugger David Ortiz warned Joba Chamberlain through a group of reporters Wednesday night to keep the ball over the plate this weekend.
The Red Sox seem to be anticipating some aggressiveness from the Yankees when the two clubs begin a three-game series at Fenway Park on Friday night. "None of that, man -- just play the game the way it's supposed to be, and that's about it," Ortiz said, referring to Chamberlain. ""This is a guy, as good as he is, the next step for him will be to earn respect from everybody in the league."
[8]
Ummm .... didn't Ortiz play with head-hunting Pedro Martinez?
[7] I've now been to five games and the grand total of the seats I have sit isn't more than $100. Not only has the point about tickets being expensive been exaggerated from the start, but now fans seem capable of picking up some goods seats at a discount on Stubhub…all at the expense of the evil corporations/rich devils who were foolish enough to buy season tickets. I agree with [2]…the rich are really getting screwed!
@7
Thing is, I got a $20 ticket plan. I can't see those seats getting any cheaper. And many of those seats can be bought right now (some games more than others).
So the effect of this bitchfest is cheaper seats for the lowest levels. Why should I care? And why does the media seem to care so much? That companies getting TARP money aren't buying baseball tickets? Something fishy is going on and not surprisingly Abraham is getting played.
[8] Did Papi get the chance to talk to Beckett, or he is serving his suspension for throwing a ball at Abreu's face?
I think Papi should shut his fat mouth and focus on getting his OPS above .600
[11] I have a $25 ticket on a plan...the view is so good, that I'd likely pay more and am sure I could get more than face value if I sold them on StubHub. Maybe, just maybe, the Yankees really are helping out average fans by soaking the rich. If anything, the socialists among us should appreciate this subsidy.
I've been making the same argument as you for a while now. The rich/corporations have always occupied the best seats...not roving families of four. The only difference is they are being asked to pay more.
[6] So... tell me who is in our starting OF for 2010.
And lets not say AJax. Maybe as a #4, but we should not be banking on AA players.
[14] Thats always been my point. What do I care if the best seats are $2,600? I couldn't afford them when they were $200 so what the hell difference does it make to me? Sure I sat in field level a couple of times, but that was only when a friend of a friend knew a guy who knew a guy who couldn't use the company seats (or something of that nature) it isn't like I actually paid for them.
@14
Agreed. But can you explain the noise we're hearing from the mediots and even some fans? I mean, why should I care even if a family of four (making $200k/year) can't spend $1000 on tickets? It's a non-story. Except why is it a story?
As for the Yanks being "embarrassed"? They were at 90% capacity in crappy weather while their team went 4-2. Some embarrassment!
The thing that bothers me about the new place is the access policies and Monument Cave. Hopefully they'll change those. But the prices? Soak the rich - damn straight. But somehow the rich will get the prices to drop. And watch me pay $25 for tickets (and you $30) next year. Yeah! The media will have won! Too bad they don't represent SOBs like me.
[9, 12, 13] And yes, the only thing more hilarious than Ortiz's statements is the fact that some in the media (coughESPNcough) will take them seriously. He got fat off of scared Yankee pitching (among other things) for years, he can afford to get backed up a little. I guess he feels Bob Gibson and Don Drysdale didn't "play the game the right way" either.
[12] Best part is that Beckett's suspension was reduced, I don't think he missed a start. Not that he would, being a SP and all...
[15] A lot can happen between now and Opening Day 2010, I wouldn't worry about the outfield just yet.
[18] That was more lousy pitching, than scared
[19] Yeah "scared" probably wasn't the right word. It was a combination of a) pretty marginal pitching and b) Torre utterly refusing to ruffle any feathers.
[15] He's in AAA right now and riding an 8 game hitting streak.
Can we also all just take a moment to be happy about Phil Hughes? 7.2 innings, 7Ks, 1 run. He went through 4 consecutive innings with every out either by K or in the infield. Prospect status seems to be restored.
[18] Playing the game the right way involves only throwing at hitters heads when they have called for time. That's good baseball!
[17] Well, building off [5], I care inasmuch as the Yankees have priced the entire field level and nearly the entire main level at prices that are by your definition unaffordable. This forces the larger number of "regular" consumers to fight over a smaller number of available, affordable seats. Moreover, since the the prices of the premium seats are so high, the capacity of the stadium is effectively reduced to, what, 30,000 seats for more regular folks? So, when those seats sell out (which they more or less have), those who a re closed out get to stare, at TV, at empty seats, because it makes more economic sense for the Yankees to sell one of those seats than 20 or 50 cheaper tickets.
And yes, we all know the market bears it, etc. But there a was a time, not THAT long ago, when very good seats could be purchased by more average fans, even if it meant a splurge. So I can at least understand the frustration that some fans have knowing that they are now forever relegated to the cheap seats.
[14] Maybe, just maybe, the Yankees really are helping out average fans by soaking the rich.
I'd have an easier time believing this is the price of non-premium seats did not go up 76% this season. Moreover, the rather small number of seats that remained the same (grand stand, bleachers-not-behind-restaurant) were gobbled up pretty quickly by season ticket holders. i just have a pretty hard time believing, when I get back from the stadium and look in my wallet, that somehow the Yankees have cut me a break by soaking the rich. Nope. They are soaking everybody.
[7] Yes.
[17] I don't know where you get 90% capacity, but by my math they averaged about 44,500 for the first six games of a brand new ball park that holds 52,300...and that comes to an average of 85%. Not bad, though still behind last year's pace through six games (50,700 ave, 90% capacity of 56,500), and even through seven games (the end of the homestand, 49,300 ave, 87% capacity).
This forces the larger number of “regular” consumers to fight over a smaller number of available, affordable seats.
Good theory, but it doesn't fit. Go to stubhub right now and you can get good cheap seats for face value for the next homestand. There's more demand for the weekends, but no one is priced out of a game - except the pseudo-rich.
They are soaking everybody.
Not me or william. $20 or $25 is very fair for our seats. Tell me though - if they drop prices on the rich but raise them for everybody else, what will the effect of all this bitchiness have been?
were gobbled up pretty quickly by season ticket holders
Not true. I was among the last groups to get season tickets at $20 per (seniority: 2006).
behind last year’s pace through six games
Attendance is down across baseball and by 5-10%. So, if there's no difference from last year, based on your numbers and accounting for that drop, then I'd call that a success and there's no way to blame it on the prices.
[14] "The rich/corporations have always occupied the best seats…not roving families of four. The only difference is they are being asked to pay more."
[17] " And watch me pay $25 for tickets (and you $30) next year. "
I am really glad that you guys got tix. It's awesome. Feel great for you. But what about the rest of us who called the Yanks for $25 seats and were told it was not available???
Oh. Sucks for us.
But as long as you personally get to go to the games, you will end up defending the Yanks business practices. Those disagreeing with you are "socialists" and reporters are "mediots." Namecalling is easier than relying on facts.
The fact is that as the Yanks try to bilk the rich, it reduces the number of games available to the poor. And the rich who are refusing to get soaked are buying cheap seats. I gave a few examples in previous posts. A friend of mine gave up his season tickets because his $50 seats went up to $130. So he will now compete for tix on Stubhub. He will be able to outbid poor fans easily. Bottom line, there are LESS cheap seats (<$30).
Never mind that if you sit in the cheap seats now, you can't ask for autographs during batting practice THREE hours before the game. Poor kids don't deserve that privilege since it is their fault they weren't born to rich families.
Coupla points about overpriced seats being left empty:
- It looks miserable on teevee. The close camera angles around the pitcher and batters make the place look deserted. TV pros have repeatedly said that the excitement of the crowd enhances the quality of the gamecast, and for me, at least, that's true. Watching what appears to be a deserted stadium, even in a good game, is depressing. Tuning out means fewer viewers, which means lower ratings, which means less ad revenue, which means.....
- I think (and am willing to contradicted on this) that the absence of fans in the field level affects the overall enthusiasm loop of the crowd. Maybe it's a factor of YES not having mikes near where the crowds actually are, but it's so far struck me as being a quiet crowd, slow to cheer, and quick to enervate. Perhaps the in-stadium effect is different. But I love hearing the particularly New York Yankee crowd in full throat, and I love seeing the entire stadium on its feet imploring another K. And I haven't seen that yet.
But my first in-person visit isn't until next week, so I'll be ready to change my mind.
[26] Giambi already mentioned in a recent interview about how it seems the crowd is spread out. He said in the old stadium, the crowd felt like it was right on top of you.
In this new stadium the upper deck (presumably the loudest section) is further back from the field.
How long before they start pushing SoundStix at the stadium? Free to the rich folk, of course.
BTW, how much does it suck to be a Met fan? Shea stadium capacity was 57,333 and Citi Field seats number 42,000 (3,000 more for standing room). Talk about a lot fewer seats. At least, there are fewer Met fans to compete with. :)
The problem with signing Holliday is that it would likely add another long term contract that will cause the Yankees to overpay yet another player in his decline phase, which is suboptimal.
[29] Let's see if he can play anywhere else but Colorado. His 704 OPS at Oakland is less than compelling (all warnings of small sample size included). Let's say he puts up numbers similar to his away numbers from Coors -- 856 OPS. Then his salary demands will be much lower.
If I were Chamberlain, I'd put Papi on his ass for that bullshit... with my first pitch to him! I would at least bust him inside repeatedly aiming for that bad wrist! Since he's on limited innings anyway, Joba needs a suspension, and can certainly afford the time off! Heh heh!
Anyone who argues against Pedro being a headhunter during his stint in Boston simply wasn't paying attention to Yankees/Red Sox during the last friggen decade and a half! I vividly remember him promptly removing both Soriano and Jeter in the Bronx in the same damn frame in '03! Papi is truly naked without Manny and Pedro backing him up! I think he's the one that's scared now. That's why he's jackin' his jaw!
Joba's already in Youk's head, in more ways than one!
Beckett and Burnett are "supposed" to be friends from their Marlins days. You can bet your ass that's out of the proverbial window come Saturday!
I wager Lester gets in the first plunk, because that's how Varitek rolls! I just hope blue doesn't dick Joba with a warning to both benches after Lester's first one.
The Red Sox don't have Trot Nixon as an "enforcer" anymore! Drew would be afraid he'd break a nail! Lowell could hurt himself running out on the field! Papsmear is too big of a pussy to scrap! Youk and Pedroia wouldn't go anywhere near a brawl because they are all the Red Sox have in terms of dependable production! Jason Bay? Nick Green? LOL
;)
@25
I've got about 6 games I'm trying to sell at face value. Furthermore, if you need tix they're plentiful on stubhub right now. I just don't buy they theory that the "poor" were priced out. I'm poor and I wasn't. Weekends are tighter, but if you're willing to go during the week you have alot of options.
And if you got shut out of a ticket plan, you should get on a waiting list. We had been on the Saturday plan and had to settle for the Friday plan. I can't say I'm thrilled about it, but I'm not going to bitch so the rich pay less. If next year we get into a weekend package, great. If not, I'll deal with that too.
And for the record, I prefer the term "commies", especially to describe Brooklynites.
Anyone who argues against Pedro being a headhunter during his stint in Boston simply wasn’t paying attention to Yankees/Red Sox during the last friggen decade and a half!
What about the other teams he pitched against?
[21] you may just get your wish come Tuesday night.
from PeteAbe after CMW's extended spring game
Nardi Contreras just told reporters in Tampa that Wang needs more arm strength and that is sinker is not consistent enough.
I don’t know what injury they’ll claim he has, but every indication is that Wang will be on the DL sometime soon.
[35] Not sure it was my wish, I'd actually be happy with Phil spending the year or most of it in AAA, developing his curve and his changeup and learning to pitch some more. I'd also be happy with CMW pitching like CMW and not like, well, me.
[32] Thanks for the offer. I already bought $25 tix from a season ticket holder friend. I was trying to buy the 81 game package to split with some friends when I called the ticket office. They told me that new applications for the 81 game packages were not being taken. They were waiting to see how many existing season ticket holders were going to buy the cheap seats. To translate, they were waiting to see how many of the people who had packages were going to move from their expensive seats to the cheaper seats.
But not a lot of people can go during the week, especially the "poor" because they have to work. So options midweek are again skewed against the poor.
"I just don’t buy they theory that the “poor” were priced out. I’m poor and I wasn’t. "
Not to keep going in circles, but just because you got $25 tix doesn't mean that every "poor" person who wants them can. You got dibs because you were a season ticket holder.
I am talking about the rest of us who are not season ticket holders. Last year, I had NO trouble getting $25 tickets as a non-season ticket holder. A friend of mine even got Yank/Red Sox tix off craigslist for $50 the day before. No way that's happening now. Stubhub is starting the auction bid for crappy seats at $50.
This year, I only have $25 tix because I have friends who sell them to me at face value. I know what they are selling some of their seats for and it is for a lot more than they got last year.
"I’d also be happy with CMW pitching like CMW and not like, well, me."
If you can throw flat sinkers at 90 MPH Tommy, you can make a decent living in the minors working only six months a year!
:)
[38] I was referring more to results than stuff. I know I can throw strikes, and I figure one or two out of every nine to fifteen batters will hit a line drive or fly ball at someone (it happens in batting practice). Therefore, I think its likely I could pitch an inning or so and give up 10 runs.
[34] He threw at them too, Raf. Much moreso while in Boston, though. For instance, when Varitek caught him, he hit batters in 38% of those games (64 in 168 games). When Piazza and LoDuca caught him, he hit batters in 15% of those (14 in 91 games)...
Meanwhile, during starts in the Bronx (9 in 110 innings), he hit Yankees at a rate of about one every other start.
That's some "lack of command" considering his 4.14 K/BB against the Bombers!
;)
[39] Well I certainly have more faith in you than that!
Heh heh...
[41] Ok, nine runs
[37] Considering how big the Yankees full season base is, if they did take knew full game orders like yours, it would mean more "average fans" getting shut on game day. If anything, the Yankees refusal to take your up front money shows they were holding the line for their long-time customers (contradicts the claim that the Yankees were trying to usher in a new jet set) as well as trying to maintain some inventory level for non-season ticket holders.
Secondly, in addition to my package, I also purchased tickets the day after they went on sale to the public. I picked up two sets of tickets to the $5 days (including 6 bleacher tickets for a total of $30). Anyone else could have done the same thing...if they are waiting for the last minute, only they are to blame.
Finally, you keep ignoring Bum Rush's point...tickets to the bleachers and grandstand are available now for at or below face value. Joe fan who only wants to go to a game can buy them right now. He isn't being priced out and he doesn't need to be a plan holder. For example, right now on Stub Hub there are $16 Grandstand tickets available for next Thursday's game against the Angels. It's not an acution...if a fan wants them, he can have them. Maybe you think $16 is still to much, but I can't see how anyone could suggest "poor" fans are being priced out considering the reality of the second market.
I saw Nick Swisher on CNBC today. They had Yankees logos up all over that balcony they ring the bell from.
The CNBC hairdos couldn't even bring themselves to speak the Yankees' name. They said Nick played for a New York team that wasn't the Mets, and referred to them as "that team" after that.
[43] I wasn't ignoring Bum Rush's point. I addressed by responding that there are fewer such tickets. But to be explicitly clear, of course there are going to be tickets available at or below face value during the week. This is so because the "poor" fan typically has to go to work the next day. So the demand for weekday games is naturally less. And naturally weekend games are going to be gobbled up by richer fans who opted not to be price gouged by the Yanks. Those rich fans who chose not to buy the $100+/seat packages will now buy the $25 seat packages or compete for the premium games on Stubhub against the poor who are willing to splurge for one day at the park. When those premium seats are unsold, the fans who would normally sit there are still sitting in the park, they are just sitting in cheaper seats.
So yes, if you want to use the straw man argument that the poor are priced out of the park and can never to a game, you have smitten your foe mightily. But I have never made that argument. What I have maintained and still do is that price gouging the rich fans hurts poor fans as well. You have the "rich" who refuse to pay for the premium seats now competing for the cheap seats along with the "poor." This will leave fewer seats accessible to the poor. I would bet (if I only I had access to Stubhub's sales database), that premium games will now go for a higher price (compared to last year), as will weekend games.
(Anyway, assuming I have a family of four, now that I know that kids can't have access to players during batting practice, I am less inclined to go thru the trouble of going to the game anyway. )
Now lest Bum Rush gets excited, I am NOT advocating that the Yanks lower ticket prices for the ultrarich. I am not sure what the solution is. After all, the Knicks charge thousands for one courtside seat and no one complains. Yanks should be able to do the same.
I think the problem is that the Yanks are trying to price gouge the middle class and upper middle class as well. My friends who had the $50 upper deck seats are middle class. They can't afford the seats for $130. So they will just pay premium dollars for the $25 seats on stub hub and go to fewer games. But when entire sections of $300+ seats are unsold (previously cost around $125), then it is clear that the Yanks miscalculated. They may need to lower their prices on those seats. But the reaction to that would be ugly from the fans that already bought the seats.
@ 45
I have the Friday plan. And I can't sell even those tix at below face value. So unless someone is really "poor" and has to work on Saturdays too, those tix are open to them. But if someone is worried about making ends meet by working six or seven days a week, I should damn well hope that attending a Yankees game isn't high on their list of priorities.
Now lest Bum Rush gets excited, I am NOT advocating that the Yanks lower ticket prices for the ultrarich.
Well, guess what's about to happen? From Richie Rich Abraham:
Bud Selig spoke to a group of sports editors today and revealed that the Yankees and Mets “will be discussing” whether to lower prices for the premium seats at the new ballparks.
The Yankees are charging $500-$2,625 for Legends Suite tickets in 25 sections at the new Yankee Stadium in the first nine rows around the infield, an area that contains 1,895 seats.
Those seats were well less than half full for the team’s first six home games.
That's rich. Good thing Richie Rich is on the case! Again, why should I care? Because the middle class you're talking about is about to get squeezed even more.