Sure, when it comes to professional sports it seems as though most New Yorkers are pretty focused on football, basketball and hockey these days. But the next never ending baseball season is right around the corner. How do we know? Because while the Mets are selling off their crap, yesterday the Yankees started their annual select a seat event—in which season ticket holders can trade up their seats. And boy, those premium tickets ($1575 per game available only for all games!) still rankle. As our spy put it, they "make the ones five rows back from home plate for $260-a-pop seem a positive steal..."
Photos: Yankees Tickets Still Wildly Expensive
Yankees Fan Gets Electric Shock, Big Lawsuit
A Yankees fan who got an electric shock at the stadium this month plans to sue the stadium for $2 million. Portial Walton, a multimedia artist from Brooklyn, says she got zapped at an outdoor dining area outside a Hard Rock Cafe at the stadium. When she stepped on a "metal hatch" with a wire running out of it, she "started feeling electricity and then heard crackling like an electric transformer," the Post reports. Despite one of their fans' brush with death, the Yankees went on to win over the Twins 4-3. Sadly, Walton was in the hospital while this was happening.
Get Your Free MetroCards, Yankees Opening Day Is Here!
After a winter filled with Derek Jeter drama, A-Rod's Popcorngate, and Andy Pettitte's retirement, opening day is finally here! And the "underdog" Yankees are hyped up to make a deep postseason run, regardless of the questionable rotation. Of course, ESPN is reporting that today's 1 pm game against the Detroit Tigers is "iffy" because of the weather. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't hop on a one-way water-taxi to the Bronx, since you're guaranteed to have a ride home!
Last Year's NYU Graduation "Streaker" Predicts Repeat Today
Speaking of stadium streaking, NYU's commencement ceremony is at Yankee Stadium today, and there's talk that the new ballfield could get its first buff job to match last night's Citi Field christening. You'll recall that last year NYU graduate Will Lopez made news by dashing onto the field (video) in boxers and his gown, rounding third, and getting tackled by security. Lopez tells the News, "I have a bunch of friends that are graduating this year. All of them are like, 'One of us has to carry the torch.' It would be great if somebody tried to make it a tradition. But I'm not sure if any of them have the guts to do it." This from the guy who "streaked" with underwear on because he "thought they might nail me for public indecency." Anyway, his buddies' fifteen minutes of fame is going be tougher to come by this year because security is definitely on the lookout for such shenanigans, and the keynote speaker is Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. But come on, bros, you aren't seriously going to let the Secret Service stand in the way of tradition?
Separated At Birth? Federal Reserve And Yankee Stadium
With the opening day just moments away, it's time to look at the new Yankee Stadium's striking resemblance to another building. Yes, the new House That Jeter (And Lots of Money, Much In Tax-Free Bonds) Built looks a lot like the Federal Reserve's headquarters in D.C.—the Eccles building was designed in 1935, by Paul Philippe Cret (it was considered a "a daringly modernist interpretation of the Beaux-Arts style and has become a noted part of American architectural history," according to the Fed).
City Made Sure It Would Live in Luxury in New Stadium
After the city has been taken to task in recent months for its dealings with the Yankees in the process of financing the team's new stadium--so far as being accused that it served no public interest--it can't be good PR for the Bloomberg administration for everyone to know just how strongly they pushed to get the best luxury box possible for themselves. Well new e-mails made public do just that in revealing how the mayor's office put on a full court press in its attempts to obtain a luxury box at the new Yankee Stadium.
Yankee Ball is Going, Going, Gone (to the Wrong Person?)
While souvenirs were stolen from every nook and cranny of Yankees Stadium last Sunday, one of the more treasured ones has spent the week at the center of controversy. Surprise, surprise.
Report: New Yankee Stadium Deal Violated Law
Assemblyman Richard Brodsky had strong words--and a damning report--for the new Yankee Stadium yesterday. Brodsky believes the Yankees got too good a deal from the city, "This stadium is being built by the people of the city and the state of New York. In return, they’re getting almost nothing. This deal does not serve the public’s interest. It serves the Yankees’ interest.”
Injured Red Sox Fan Suing Yankees
A Massachusetts resident filed a lawsuit against the New York Yankees over injuries he received during a game at Yankee Stadium last year. During the August 29, 2007 game between the Bronx Bombers and Red Sox, Charles Hillios claims that two Yankees fans "harassed" him for cheering for the Red Sox. Though security warned the fans to stop bothering him, per the AP, Hillios says "the fans 'viciously attacked and physically assaulted' him when he went to a concession stand." We doubt this is the first--or last--instance of the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry turning vicious. In May, a Yankees fan drove over a Red Sox supporter outside a NH bar.
Old-Timers at (Old) Yankee Stadium One Last Time
Before the Yankees' 8-2 win over the Angels, the Yankees brought back seventy-two past players for the 62nd Old-Timers' Day at the old stadium.
Stanks for the Memories
While columnists, TV commentators and many others are falling over themselves to bid Yankee Stadium a respectful, sentimental good-bye, players were a little more honest when asked what they wouldn't miss about the house that Ruth built.
Derek Jeter On Keeping New Yorkers Fit and More
From a new NYC sports club bearing his name to the last season at Yankees Stadium, Derek Jeter has a busy year ahead of him. Gothamist asked the Yankees captain about his partnership with 24 Hour Fitness to bringing 24 Hour Fitness - Derek Jeter gyms to the city and his thoughts on the "house that Jeter built."

