My first Yankee game today

by MQAblog on Apr 11, 2006 9:22 AM EDT

My dad is a diehard Yankee fan and raised me that way too. While he grew up in the Northeast, the family moved to Florida when I was a kid. So I have always cheered the Yankees from afar. But I moved to New York City a few months ago and today a dream will come true. Not only to see a Yankee game - but to be at a home opener. It's like Christmas Day!

With excitment comes anxiety and preparing for the game today was no exception.

Yesterday I bought a little transistor (are they still called that?) radio so I could listen to the game at The Stadium. I have listened to the Yankee radio broadcasts for years - first on distant AM stations and then on line - so to listen while actually at The Stadium is part of this grand Yankee fantasy of mine.

You know portable radios are cheap..most at the store were $5 or $6. But I had to buy the $16 dollar portable radio just to be sure I got a good one. Serves me right. When I got home from work last night I ripped open the radio package and loaded the batteries - the damn thing didn't work.

When I finally admitted that it was the radio not working and not the batteries or my technological difficulty (took a surprisingly long time) I went on a search. We have a lot of "stuff" in the apartment and I just knew there had to be another radio here.

After an hour of digging through boxes in the wee hours of the morning I found one! An old CD Walkman with a radio. Shaking with excitement I loaded the batteries into the devise. (Reminded me of that kid in the Christmas Story loading the BB's into his new gun). Anyway, THAT didn't work either. Needless to say I was a bit frustrated.

So I went to bed last night trying to convince myself that I really didn't want to listen to the radio at the game. I told myself that It would be more authentic to go sans radio so I could take in all the noise and excitement of the live event. Blah, blah blah... The first thing this morning I went back to digging through the boxes.

Sure enough I found a VERY old Cassette Walkman (WOW!) with a working radio!!! Horayyy!

So I have my radio, binoculars, camera, ticket and sunglasses. I even got directions to the stadium and found out it is only a 30 minute walk! Very close (a benefit of living in Harlem). So I am good to go.

The day I have been waiting for all my life has finally arrived. See you at The Stadium. Go Yankees.

more at http://www.MQAblog.com

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Congrats

Have a blast, there's nothing better than this. Not even Christmas.

Have faith in the Yankees my son. Think of the great DiMaggio.

by jscape2000 on Apr 11, 2006 9:48 AM EDT reply actions

Really excited

for you. There's nothing like being there on opening day. Enjoy every second of it - radio or no radio. The green grass, the hot dogs, the cheers, Bob Shepherd on the P.A., all of it. Go Yankees.

by Yankee Fanne on Apr 11, 2006 12:03 PM EDT reply actions

Hope you had fun

I did too, it was my first home opener ever. I really enjoyed it. The last 5 games I have been to have all been wins. 4 last year and 1 this year. I hope it continues. The last loss I was at was a Boston game 2 years ago.

by Greenfuzz on Apr 11, 2006 6:47 PM EDT reply actions

what a game to catch...

seeing jeter wear the cape of superman must have been fun. Too bad the great Bob Shepherd wasn't able to be on the PA.

Hope you had fun. The first one is one that you will always remember.

by 808yankee on Apr 12, 2006 12:09 AM EDT reply actions

It was the best!

Wow, it was amazing to be at the game yesterday and to watch Derek win the game in such an exciting fashion. A perfect game for my first ever trip to the Stadium.

The weather was absolutely wonderful, the game exciting and everyone at the stadium was friendly and in in a festive spirit. It went beyond being an "experience", it was fun!

My commute to the Stadium is less than a half hour - all walking / no traffic. Even quicker than I anticipated. I even found entering and exiting the game to be quick and convienient. Not so in many other large stadiums I have visited. My season tickets, modestly priced, have a terrific view and the people I will be sitting with a lot of fun! (Note to self: be prepared to drink many beers - even for early games!)

I realy could not have planned out my first visit to Yankee stadium any better. It's going to be a great year.

by MQAblog on Apr 12, 2006 9:01 AM EDT reply actions

congrats

Where in Harlem do you live?? I am not far myself.

by HarlemUSA on Apr 12, 2006 9:11 PM EDT reply actions

Way Uptown

141st and A.C.P. (7th) --> It's great. I walk north 14 blocks, cross the bridge and BAM - I'm at the stadium. You close?

by MQAblog on Apr 13, 2006 8:40 AM EDT up reply actions

wow

That is close. I live down by 126 and Lenox. When I go to the stadium I have usually taken the 2 to the 4. Or I just walk to Lex and take the 4 there. Either way I get there quickly.

by HarlemUSA on Apr 13, 2006 11:55 AM EDT reply actions

no other place like it

I'm 24 and my first game my father brought me to see steve carlton win his 300th game as a member of the white sox, i was 3. I've been their ever since and haven't missed a playoff game since 95'. After all the games i've been lucky enough to see I still get chills and huge smile when i walk out of the tunnel towards my seats. Their is just something about Yankee Stadium that brings the little kid out of us all. I'm glad you got see a Yankee game, because you'll never forget it. Now you can go all the time. Wait til the playoffs because those games are a totally different animal, the energy is like no other. Falling asleep is impossible after a playoff win at the stadium.

by miracle96 on Apr 18, 2006 4:09 PM EDT reply actions

First Yankee Game

I was 10 years old living in Harlem. Family poor, please everybody on the block was poor, but there was a guy who was into illegal numbers running that took me to a game against the Milwaukee Brewers...when they were in the AL. We lost 6-4, I could have cared less at the time, I couldn't believe how huge and loud and beautiful Yankee Stadium was and is. I'll miss it when the new one is built. My friend, have a blast!!!!!

-AAA

What? You gotta problem with that?

by ARTHUR AVENUE ASSASSIN on Apr 18, 2006 4:35 PM EDT reply actions