Making the New Old Again

As I've previously posted, I was lucky enough to be at Yankee Stadium for Game 1 of the ALDS and ALCS this year. It was great to be back in the Bronx in October creating new memories and tradition at the new Stadium.

The games were fun and the atmosphere exciting, but it wasn't like past playoffs I've been to at Yankee Stadium. I have been to Game 1 at Yankee Stadium of each playoff series since 1995. That puts me at at least 7 series and 6 World Series Games. While that may not be as extensive experience as some, it is more playoffs games than some will be at in a lifetime, and I know how lucky I am.

It pains me to say it, but the new Yankee Stadium does not have the intensity, electricity, and overall craziness of the old one. Going to the old Stadium was like going on a pilgrimage to the holy land, a religious experience that took on its own meaning. The parking areas were packed 2 hours before first-pitch, grills blazing, footballs being thrown, and cool crisp air surrounding you. Of course me and my sister spent half the time in the car doing our homework, but you felt how special being there was.

Now it seems like there is little of the overall tradition going on. I know there are people who grill at games, but now the parking lots are dispersed all over with the new mall and construction in the area. There is no unity, no throngs of people walking down River Ave in Yankee jerseys, bringing their passion and excitement with them.

At Game 1 of the ALCS this year, there was one fan who was constantly yelling at everyone to get up. cheer, clap their hands, and make noise. Granted, it became pretty annoying after a while, but no one reacted. Me and my dad stood a couple times, but not as many as the man would have liked. All this apathy would then drive the man to say "You all suck! What kind of fans are you!?" And while I am i die-hard Yankee fan who resented his statement, he did open my eyes to something.

When the game was at critical points, such as when the Yankees had two runners on with two outs, the crowd remained seated and quiet. It was not until later in the count, say 3-0 against the batter, when the crowd finally woke up and got on their feet. I mentioned something to my dad, and he said "Yeah, they are waiting for something to happen."

At the old Stadium there was no such thing as "waiting for something to happen." The fans made it happen. If there were two runners on and even a hint the pitcher was on the ropes, fans got loud. I remember getting up as soon as a batter came to the plate, and with every pitch we lived and died. We sighed for called strikes and foul balls or cheered for each ball out of the strike zone. We urged our team on, helping as much as fans could. Now they wait, and hope, rising only when things seem the most promising.

It was discouraging, and somewhat saddening to see the transformation. Maybe it is connected to the ridiculous price of tickets at the new Stadium. I know that suggests fans who can afford more expensive tickets are not as passionate, which I do not subscribe to, but it begs the question: if that's not the reason, then what has caused this change? Could it be the new open air design, letting more sound out instead of keeping it in the Stadium?

I doubt it. If there was noise then maybe, but my complaint is about the total lack of noise and awareness in the Stadium. From watching Game 6 on TV last night, I became a little more encouraged and hopeful. The fans seemed pretty excited and into it, getting rather loud at several points. It was certainly closer to the old way of the Bronx.

Maybe it is just the fact I was at two early games in each series. They weren't pivotal games, full of build-up, intensity, and pressure. I'm hoping things pick up at The Stadium as the Yankees welcome the Phillies for the World Series.

Beyond the great moments which took place at the old House that Ruth Built, Yankee Stadium was a fan haven, a tough place to play, and an even tougher place to win in the playoffs. I hope this new Stadium can offer the same as we begin the first World Series in 6 years and try to celebrate on our new field.

I know some will read this and say, "Wait a second, he doesn't know anything! The Yankees boast the best home-record in baseball this year!" And they're right. The Yankees have been stellar at home this year and undefeated in the playoffs there (knock on wood). I only submit that we, as fans of our team, can do better, make it tougher for opposing players. We want them to come into the Stadium feeling like they are already at a disadvantage, as they used to at the Old Stadium.

Some may say, well that was the old way, this is the new way. Maybe so, but the old Stadium had a lot of winners and championships. There are a lot worse traditions we could try to carry on.

Playoffs!? Playoffs!?

Alright New York, here we go.

After a one year hiatus from October baseball, the Yankees are back on the stage and looking like they never left. I was fortunate enough to be at Game 1 against the Twins last week and the team looked good. The stadium was packed, the air cool, and crisp. There is something about a night game in October that makes it so unique and unlike any regular season game under the lights. Maybe it's the difference in weather, or just the electricity in the air, I'm not sure, but it felt great to experience it once more. (And I'm happy to report there were no Wave spottings) C.C. delivered what we expected for a man being paid $23 million a year, and A-Rod looked like the A-Rod of April-September, which can only mean good things for the Bronx Bombers. His two-run homerun in the bottom of the ninth of Game 2 was a booming, majestic shot deep into the Bronx night and if he keeps it up Yankee fans are going to erect a statue to the post season A-Rod, or Alex 2.0 if you will.

What really made me happy last Wednesday was watching The Captain do his thing. Each year someone writes a column about Jeter being finished, washed-up, deteriorating, and in the twilight of his career, but this year has certainly been one of his finest. He ended the regular season batting .334, the fourth highest of his career (.349 in '99, .339 in '00, .343 in '06), tied for the third most stolen bases in his career (30), and committed the least amount of fielding errors ever in his career (8). He certainly picked up right where he left of and did exactly what Yankee fans everywhere expected, get hits and make plays. He got key hits in games 1 and 2 to ignite the Yanks and came up with head-up plays in games 2 and 3 to keep the Twins off the board, kill their momentum, and give the Yankees a chance to win the game.

This Yankees team looks like they have a legitimate chance to win it all this year. They have a solid bullpen now bolstered by the addition of Joba Chamberlain, and with Rodriguez hitting like he is, the toughest line up still in the playoffs. The only problem is the Yankees now have to go through the second-best team in all the land, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (I feel ridiculous even writing it out). The Angels are a tough and scrappy bunch, and for anyone who doubts that, you need only watch their amazing comeback against Papelbon and the Red Sox to steal Game 3 at Fenway this past weekend.

As much as I enjoyed watching the Red Sox, especially Papelbon, crash and burn this weekend as Boston's World Series hopes came to a screeching halt and Sawks fans everywhere thought of taking that leap out their window, I was sad they lost so early. If for no other reason than I wanted the Yankees to be the ones to end the Red Sox postseason run. I was confident the Yankees would do it, and I knew they would be a much easier opponent than Los Angeles.

But if you want to be the best, then you have to beat the best, right? It can be argued the Yankees are the best team in baseball, but now they have to show all the Yankee-haters what the Bombers can do. The Division Series were all rather boring, with only Colorado putting up somewhat of a fight. I was so hoping for them to win on Monday night and push it to Game 5, but unfortunately Houston Street imploded, whether it was because of the near-freezing temperatures or melted nerves, but whatever the case, Philadelphia pulled it out in four games.

I'm expecting the Championship round to be good on both sides, especially in the American League. These two perennial contenders are in for a dog fight and I'm praying the series is exciting and lives up to the billing (though if it's a Yankee sweep I won't complain either).

It's going to be a great week of baseball, and hopefully more will follow.

Either way, there is nothing quite like the Fall Classic.

Will the Real Slim Shady Please Sit Down

Hi everyone. I know i promised posts once I returned home and it's been a tad too long. I've been busy trying to get things in order here at home, though I'll admit it didn't take too long since I'm still unemployed. But better late than never, right? Well, I hope so. Enjoy my little rant and I'm going to try to be more consistent from now on.

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There is a crime being committed.

It is taking place in every major city of this country and at every major sporting event.

The Wave corrupts fans, both young and old, who think it is actually fun to stand up in unison as this nebulous entity circles a giant arena through tens of thousands of fans. If you think the Wave is fun, exciting, or remotely entertaining, I hate to be the one to tell you this, but you are sadly mistaken.

The Wave seems to have its roots in the 1980s, though there is contention of the origins of this 20th century terror. The Wave has survived these past three decades hiding in the shadowy corners of ballparks, hockey arenas, and football stadiums, only emerging for major events where fans, whipped into a frenzy and in utter pandemonium, are susceptible to its lure. Cheering, jumping up and down, screaming, shouting, and drinking practically scream out "Open Season" on fans, and the Wave takes advantage every time.

How else could you explain the appearance of the Wave at basketball games when the home team is only up by 7 points, or at a baseball game the home team has a 2 run lead? These are completely unacceptable moments for the Wave to begin. Do people not pay hundreds to be entertained? To cheer on their team to victory? To live and die by every action on the playing field? Or would they rather flail their arms and make a little noise, cheering when the Wave reaches back to the beginning, as if this historic feat has never occurred before and never will again. And then there is the one guy who's brilliant idea it was to begin the wave, and who never takes "no" for an answer. If the Wave doesn't get going the first three times he tries, he tries three more times to get people involved until one of two things happen: 1) the Wave catches on, or 2) someone says "Down in front!"

As a die-hard Syracuse Orange, I did not miss a single home game while I was at school. Going to The Dome with the congregation of 30,000 devout followers was something I refused to miss, choosing Big East basketball over class if the two conflicted. But I remember games with 25,000+ plus being audience to hotly contested games and witnessing the thing I feared most…The Wave.

It always started in the 300 section and with one usher in particular. I know his heart was in the right place. He was trying to make sure fans enjoyed their night inside the Carrier Dome before setting out into the blistering cold, but his timing couldn’t be worse. I could never justify the Wave going around when there was still 10 minutes to play in the second half and ‘Cuse held a single-digit lead over the opposition. I would have remained sitting, if not for the student code which says we stand the whole game. Instead, I was sure to keep my hands at my side and keep my eyes fixed on the game at hand.

Yes, I am angry. For too long I have sat quietly by and let the Wave do its thing. It's distracting, annoying, and a joke. People complain about how much tickets are to sporting events, but then do not pay attention when they are there. Isn't the point to watch your favorite athletes, cheer them on, or even boo them? There is nothing more disheartening to me than seeing the fans around me care so little about the game going on in front of them. Is it not also a diss to your team, saying "Yeah, we know you are playing, but hell, it’s not exciting enough for us so we are just going do our own thing...WooOOOoooOO."

Frankly, I doubt they care very little, if at all. They are getting paid millions whether you watch or not, and since you've already bought a ticket and contributed to their endless cash flow, your of little more use to them, unless you plan on buying lots of food and souvenirs. But with that said, don't you think, as a fan, you are entitled to the most out of your money?

The only way I know how to accomplish this is to sit down, eat some fan-fare, cheer on the home team, scream until my lungs give out, and boo the enemy till they go home with their tail between their legs.

So take a stand with me, and remain seated the next time the Wave tries to overtake your body and mind. Be strong, stay the course, and we will prevail.