Last Sunday I had to chance to visit the one ballpark in all of baseball I was most desperate to see. I finally had a chance to visit the ballpark across the street from where the House The Ruth Built once stood. Yes, I finally (FINALLY) got a chance to visit Yankee Stadium and let me tell ya what, that is one amazing ball park.
The stadium itself is half ballpark/half museum (I didn’t have time to look at all of the sights I wanted to see since Monument Park was closed because they were retiring Andy Pettitte’s number). When you come out of the subway, you pop out and the stadium stands in front of you, with golden letters spelling out “Yankee Stadium”. I felt like it was welcoming me home and I was finally able to mingle with my people! I was captivated by the banners in the hall as soon as you walk into the stadium. It shows right away that this is a team who cares deeply about the rich tradition of their franchise.
More than anything, the Yankees as an organization know how to put on a show. They were endlessly classy during Pettitte’s number-retiring ceremony (even my dad, who greatly dislikes the Yanks had to admit what a classy organization it was). The music throughout the game itself was fantastic, with the exception of “Cotton Eye Joe”. C’mon guys, no one likes that song. At all. Retire that please. I know it’s kinda lame, but I thought it was hilarious and endearing when the grounds crew all danced the “YMCA” during an inning break. There’s not a bad seat in the house and fortunately, that means we can see the whole game and hear the Bleacher Creatures loud and clear.
I can’t do justice to my experience by trying to summarize every detail about it that I loved. It’s an impossible feat, really. But, I do just want to thank the Yankees for giving their fans an incredible experience. Even when the Yanks lost, I felt like I had wasted no part of my afternoon. You guys care so much about your fans, which is probably why they are so loyal. Besides, every player who comments that Yankee fans are the best fans in the world can’t by lying, right??
So, thank you to the New York Yankees for making last Sunday one of the best days of my life. Love you guys.
She Steals Second 