View full size photo »

Remember the construction worker who buried a David Ortiz jersey in the cement of the new Yankee Stadium? How's he feeling about now?

Since the Yankees moved into the supposedly jinxed ballpark, three things have happened: David Ortiz was exposed as a PED user, he had his worst year season since joining the Red Sox, and the Yankees won the World Series in their first year at the new digs.

There's just one thing to say to Gino Castignoli... thanks!

View full size photo »

The first Yankee Stadium was built in 1923. The Yankees won the World Series (for the first time) over the New York Giants that year.

The first year of the 'overhauled' Yankee Stadium was 1976. The Yanks won the pennant (for the first time in 12 years), but lost the World Series to the Big Red Machine.

The first year of the new Yankee Stadium was 2009. The Yankees defeated the Philadelphia Phillies to win their 27th title (for the first time in nine years).

What are the odds?

(The '09 Yanks also became the third team to win the clinching game of the World Series in their new ballpark, joining the 1912 Red Sox and 2006 Cardinals.)

The sad, slow deconstruction of the old Yankee Stadium continues. Below is a photo of the facade being taken apart. See WCBS880.com for more images.

via imgsrv.wcbs880.com

More photos » by Julie Jacobson - AP

Browse more photos »

That was a surreal game last night. I was sitting there in the third inning thinking, 'Wow. This is the new Yankee Stadium. I've lived my whole life watching the old one 81 times a year. Who's stadium is this? It looks like one of those new-fangled ones that teams out west are always building.'

But by the middle innings, I started getting used to it. And then it struck me that for most of us, this is the last Yankee Stadium we'll ever see. If this one lasts 75 years like the previous one, this will be the Yankees home for the rest of our lives.

Anyway, the crowd wasn't too loud, but that was mostly due to the weather and the insignificance of the game (I'm sure). But Pete Abraham brings some disturbing news:

The highly-touted manual scoreboards set inside the wall in right field and left field are almost useless. The numbers are too small to see from the stands. The out-of-town scoreboard is in right field now. Only four games at a time, however.

... you can’t see the retired numbers in Monument Park like you used to be able to. There should be somewhere where everybody can see them. Retired numbers should be celebrated, not hidden away...

The Yankees, unfortunately, didn’t change the in-game entertainment very much. The same old lame YMCA, etc....

... it won’t be a very intimidating park for opposing players. The fans are not on top of the field like they used to be.

As far as the field goes, the infield seemed extremely fast (especially considering the rain). Those first two grounders the Cubs hit rocketed past Jeter and Cano.

The ball carried extraordinarily well to left-center field. Several fly balls that looked like 'cans of corn' sent fielders almost to the warning track. Only time will tell if these are real characteristics or just flukes (or perhaps something about different camera angles).

Homeruns clanged off each of the foul poles. The baseball gods were with the Yanks last night, let's hope they stay there.

Another game today at 1 p.m. on YES. What are your thoughts on the new place?

Tonight's game (if the rain lets up) is on YES and MLBN at 7 p.m.

• Isn't this photo of Phil Hughes facing Jose Tabata from Wednesday's minor league game (taken by the venerable Chad Jennings) phenomenal? It's eerily reminiscent of their infamous meeting in the 2006 Futures Game (which has unfortunately been removed from YouTube) in which Tabata nearly took Hughes' head off with a line drive.
  

More photos » by Julie Jacobson - AP

Browse more photos »

The Yankees moved into their new home today and worked out in preparation for two exhibition games against the Cubs.

• Hal Steinbrenner admitted some of the ticket prices may be a bit high.
• Another example of the resurgence of defense.
• Doc's Sports Blog interviewed me regarding the upcoming season. It was definitely tougher questions than the normal fluff interview. 
• Bernie Williams recently released a CD entitled "Moving Forward" that I was fortunate to listen to. It's clear from the very start that Bernie is a super talented guy. Not only was he a great ball player, but the fact he can play the guitar so expertly says a lot about him. If 'contemporary jazz' is your thing, you'll love it. Even though it's not mine, I still enjoyed it, and loved 'Take Me Out To The Ballgame' and Bernie's collaboration with Bruuuuuuuce on 'Glory Days'.

This hardly looks like mere 'renovations'

The following is a (slightly modified) article I wrote for River Ave. Blues on July 20th, 2008 (reprinted with permission):

Remember when you used to love going to Yankee games? For me, although I certainly did, it’s hard to even recall why.

Continue reading this post »

ESPN doesn't like the Mets' patch for the 2009 season.

Neither does Yahoo Sports.

Nor Pete Abraham.

[update: just saw our own 'NumberSeven' posted this first]

You decide:

or

[images via Lohud]