Frigid Fun At The Yankee Home Opener

Wolf Hopper · 04-08-2003, 10:55 PM

Sad to report, I left after 7 innings. No choice. Truly, I lost feeling in both of my feet - yes, both. It was THAT cold. I heard one guy say it was 29 degrees. Another person said it was 25. That's cold. Since I have about a 60 mile drive home, I thought I should go once I lost feeling in my feet, with the hope the feeling would come back soon, walking to the car. It's hard to drive when you can't feel your feet.

You know, for those who moan about the money that the Yankees spend on players, well, there is a price.

I wanted a new hat - the Yankee cap I have is several years old, and, I thought it would be cool to have one with the Yankee 100th anniversary on the side. A fitted cap costs $35 at the Stadium. Yes, THIRTY-FIVE dollars for a baseball hat.

The Yearbook/Scorecard vendor got my Dad's ear. "Would you like a yearbook?" my father asked. "You kidding?" I said, "How much do you think they cost?" He answered "About five bucks?"

"Ask the guy" I told him.

"It's $20 for a yearbook mister."

Yes, TWENTY DOLLARS for a yearbook. We passed.

Noticed too that a nothing special navy Yankee Tee with the NY on the front and Giambi 25 on the back will cost you something like $22.50.

Somehow, I doubt that a cap, yearbook, and T-Shirt will set you back for $77 bucks at a Royals or Padres game...........

For the record, there were a ton of cops there. And, they searched everyone going in when I went in - around 2:45 PM for a 4 PM start - even to the point of turning off and turning on your cell phones (like at the airport). The also made people ditch bottles of water, and nap-sacks - - 'tho, you could put your stuff in a clear bag after you tossed your sack. (Glad I didn't bring anything - esp. anything good like a NetShrine bag!)

As for the game, I called the Godzilla Grand Slam. As soon as Williams got the IBB, I said "Here comes his 1st MLB HR and it will be a Grand Slam." 6 pitches later, it happened. Ask my Dad, he heard me.

Best "stupid thing that you hear at the park" for 2003, so far: Two guys behind me talking about Lou Gehrig - one says to the other "It's a shame that he got that ALCS and it killed him."

I never knew that the American League Championship Series was such a death threat.............

OK, it's now about 4 or 5 hours since we left the game, and I've been home for 3 hours, and I'm still cold.

Still, a frigid day at the ballpark beats a warm day at work, every time!

Rajah · 04-08-2003, 11:48 PM

You'll get nailed about the same at any park for a hat or tshirt. They always cost more at the park. Not surprised about the yearbook either. Wouldn't be surprised elsewhere. A program at an illinois football game will set you back 7 bucks. You should be able to get a cheap scorecard outside the stadium w/out too much trouble.

I attended a Yankee game a few years ago (first, and, to date, only time I've been in NY). I bought a hat at a shop outside the stadium for the typical price they charge these days for a fitted hat, 25 bucks. Inside they were in the 30 or 35 dollar range. I know they smack you for 25 bucks at Kane County for a Minor League Cougars hat, and the hats at Wrigley are in the range you mentioned Wolf.

Therefore, I'm sure they will smack you for 77 bucks for those things in KC and SD. My guess is that MLB sets the prices on those things. My advice: buy your hats and t-shirts at the mall, or at least outside the stadium. And skip the Yearbook.

Gosfgiants · 04-09-2003, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Wolf Hopper
For the record, there were a ton of cops there. And, they searched everyone going in when I went in - around 2:45 PM for a 4 PM start - even to the point of turning off and turning on your cell phones (like at the airport). The also made people ditch bottles of water, and nap-sacks - - 'tho, you could put your stuff in a clear bag after you tossed your sack. (Glad I didn't bring anything - esp. anything good like a NetShrine bag!)

Security sounds like it's still pretty tight in NY. I went to the first two Giant home games, and I brought in my back pack for both games. They did make me open my bag, but that was about the extent of it. I did have a plastic water bottle at yesterday's game that the security guy made sure it wasn't glass.

Everytime I hear the weather at one of these games back east I'm thankful that I migrated to the warm climes of No. Cal. 29 degrees at a ballgame is just wrong.

rza93 · 04-09-2003, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Wolf Hopper
Best "stupid thing that you hear at the park" for 2003, so far: Two guys behind me talking about Lou Gehrig - one says to the other "It's a shame that he got that ALCS and it killed him."

I never knew that the American League Championship Series was such a death threat.............

maybe those guys were drunk, or not.

I cant wait to go to a yankees game this season.

JamesI · 04-09-2003, 07:03 AM

20 bucks for a yearbook?

Well, someone's got to pay Giambi et al.

29 degrees aint too bad, but then again I'm used to going to games at Rich Stadium in Buffalo in January.

Wolf Hopper · 04-09-2003, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JamesI
20 bucks for a yearbook?

I should add that the guy claimed it was a "special 100th anniversary" yearbook - - and, it did look extra thick. But, $20 bucks? It's still just a magazine full of too many ads and less than great pictures.

WiredTiger · 04-09-2003, 08:51 AM

I think I would rather go to two games than go to one and buy all those trinkets. Fortunately Comerica isn't that expensive especially if you can nab a $8 seat that comes with a hot dog and a drink.

satchel · 04-09-2003, 09:19 AM

In my last two annual pilgrimages to the Oakland Collosseum, the A's yearbook cost just $10. I can't remember what my Tim Hudson T-shirt cost, probably on the order of $20 though.

Of course, for $22.50 I was seated in the 10th row behind home plate. I love going to the Collosseum. It's a bargain, especially compared to the other two parks I visit regularly - Yankee Stadium and Fenway.

Glad you had a good time at the game, Steve! I wish I could have been there - cold and all.

KCBOOMER · 04-09-2003, 10:30 AM

The key was that you were at the game.

I forget what year it was (1991?) but I was at Yankee Stadium for their home opener against the Royals. I was in the upper deck nose bleed seats looking right down the third base line. I was in the "non-drinking" section (not because I cared, but, rather because that was the only ticket I could get).

What a wild day. Despite the ban on beer in the section I was in people were hauling brewskis up there in mass quantities. By the fifth inning a few of the locals had decided to light up some doobies. The ushers, you say? They were practicing their ability to be invisible most of the time, except when they were demonstrating their ability to walk around the stadium without seeing anything. By the seventh there was a major brawl in the CF bleachers.

Despite all these little inconveniences (other than the brouhaha in CF the fans while rambunctious were well behaved) I had a great time at the Shrine of Baseball.

As for prices in other stadiums. I bought a fitted cap at last year's Royals home opener and it was $20. I would expect that cheap a T-shirt and a yearbook would run about $20 combined. So about half the cost of the stuff you bought.

Rajah · 04-09-2003, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Wolf Hopper
Sad to report, I left after 7 innings. No choice. Truly, I lost feeling in both of my feet - yes, both. It was THAT cold. I heard one guy say it was 29 degrees. Another person said it was 25. That's cold.

From Ron Rapoport's column in today's Chicago Sun-Times:

Quote:

"Eighty-six degrees in San Juan," says Expos manager Frank Robinson, looking at the newspaper weather map......"I don't care if it's snowing or not (note: the Cubs home opener was canceled by snow Monday), " Robinson says as he sits in the visiting manager's office underneath the right-field stands before the game. "If the temperature goes into the 30's, you shouldn't play. You should not sacrifice the quality of play. It's just not going to be as good. The hitters don't want to hit, the pitching suffers, the fans are miserable. The game is just not meant to be played in this kind of weather."...."I guess I'm just not a cold weather player."

It sounds like some people in the game aren't too fond of goin out to the ballpark in April up north.

Here's an idea, why not play the first 2 weeks of the season in warm weather climates and domed/retractable roof stadiums? There's enough southern/west coast teams now that you may be able to pull it off. You shouldn't expect fans in NY, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, St. Louis, KC, Denver (does Denver have a roof, can't remember) to sit out in the cold when you have places like Toronto, Montreal, Milwaukee, Minnesota, Seattle, San Francisco, Oakland, LA, Anaheim, Arizona, Texas, Houston, Atlanta, Baltimore (maybe), TB, and Florida around. By mid-april, although its still not hot, you shouldn't have sub-freezing temperatures.

gyb13 · 04-09-2003, 11:58 AM

temperatures in PR (in Celsius) may be higher than those in some games (in Fahrenheit)!

on changing the schedule around, i like your idea, rajah, but i doubt mlb would ever think ahead like that....

steve, ALS and ALCS are not that far off

plus, the 1995 and 1997 ALDS were almost deadly for me

sweaver · 04-09-2003, 01:54 PM

April is often nice in the northern climes....we've had some very nice days this month.

But a lot more like today, cold and raining.

Skip · 04-09-2003, 02:50 PM

The flip side of sitting through a freezing game and still (relatively) enjoying it, is having to give up your tickets to opening day ... and having the person you GAVE them to come back later with "Well, it was a bit breezy and only in the low 50s so we just stayed home and watched TV."

Geez, even if you weren't a baseball fan there were a zillion freebies, fireworks, etc. etc. etc. Aauuuugggghhhhhhh!

Wolf Hopper · 04-09-2003, 05:48 PM

Skip - that person needs to be moved off the ticket list and on to a whole different list, if you get my drift!

Back to the Yankee Opener - - many stayed home, about 22,000 and opted to use the ticket for a later game (as the game yesterday really was a make-up of the Monday game, and the Yanks gave fans that option). To those who opted for this - only because of the cold - - and not because of some other schedule conflict - - I say: HA! I SAW GODZILLA'S 1st HR AND I HAVE THE GAME STUB TO KEEP! SO THERE!

hmrsf · 04-11-2003, 11:59 PM

The Red Sox opener was very classey and very wet. Wish I saw a game.

Ray Charles on a baby grand singing in Fenway......now I have seen it all.

BTW, get the $20 year book. The 100 year edition done for Sox is priceless, well worth it.

04-08-2003, 10:55 PM	#1
Wolf Hopper NetShrine Creator & Curator Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: NetShrine WHQ Posts: 6,191	Frigid Fun At The Yankee Home Opener Sad to report, I left after 7 innings. No choice. Truly, I lost feeling in both of my feet - yes, both. It was THAT cold. I heard one guy say it was 29 degrees. Another person said it was 25. That's cold. Since I have about a 60 mile drive home, I thought I should go once I lost feeling in my feet, with the hope the feeling would come back soon, walking to the car. It's hard to drive when you can't feel your feet. You know, for those who moan about the money that the Yankees spend on players, well, there is a price. I wanted a new hat - the Yankee cap I have is several years old, and, I thought it would be cool to have one with the Yankee 100th anniversary on the side. A fitted cap costs $35 at the Stadium. Yes, THIRTY-FIVE dollars for a baseball hat. The Yearbook/Scorecard vendor got my Dad's ear. "Would you like a yearbook?" my father asked. "You kidding?" I said, "How much do you think they cost?" He answered "About five bucks?" "Ask the guy" I told him. "It's $20 for a yearbook mister." Yes, TWENTY DOLLARS for a yearbook. We passed. Noticed too that a nothing special navy Yankee Tee with the NY on the front and Giambi 25 on the back will cost you something like $22.50. Somehow, I doubt that a cap, yearbook, and T-Shirt will set you back for $77 bucks at a Royals or Padres game........... For the record, there were a ton of cops there. And, they searched everyone going in when I went in - around 2:45 PM for a 4 PM start - even to the point of turning off and turning on your cell phones (like at the airport). The also made people ditch bottles of water, and nap-sacks - - 'tho, you could put your stuff in a clear bag after you tossed your sack. (Glad I didn't bring anything - esp. anything good like a NetShrine bag!) As for the game, I called the Godzilla Grand Slam. As soon as Williams got the IBB, I said "Here comes his 1st MLB HR and it will be a Grand Slam." 6 pitches later, it happened. Ask my Dad, he heard me. Best "stupid thing that you hear at the park" for 2003, so far: Two guys behind me talking about Lou Gehrig - one says to the other "It's a shame that he got that ALCS and it killed him." I never knew that the American League Championship Series was such a death threat............. OK, it's now about 4 or 5 hours since we left the game, and I've been home for 3 hours, and I'm still cold. Still, a frigid day at the ballpark beats a warm day at work, every time! __________________ Steve, Forum Administrator POSTING TIP FOR THE DAY: When composing a post, think about what you would say if the intended recipient was an individual who was actually sitting just two feet in front of you, in person, rather than just some far away and anonymous audience who only can identify you as text on a PC screen - - and then write your post in that manner. It makes for remarkable and sincere discourse.

04-08-2003, 11:48 PM	#2
Rajah NetShrine All-Century Team Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 1,177	You'll get nailed about the same at any park for a hat or tshirt. They always cost more at the park. Not surprised about the yearbook either. Wouldn't be surprised elsewhere. A program at an illinois football game will set you back 7 bucks. You should be able to get a cheap scorecard outside the stadium w/out too much trouble. I attended a Yankee game a few years ago (first, and, to date, only time I've been in NY). I bought a hat at a shop outside the stadium for the typical price they charge these days for a fitted hat, 25 bucks. Inside they were in the 30 or 35 dollar range. I know they smack you for 25 bucks at Kane County for a Minor League Cougars hat, and the hats at Wrigley are in the range you mentioned Wolf. Therefore, I'm sure they will smack you for 77 bucks for those things in KC and SD. My guess is that MLB sets the prices on those things. My advice: buy your hats and t-shirts at the mall, or at least outside the stadium. And skip the Yearbook. __________________ Why does Aubrey Huff looked so mad in his picture? Oh wait... Last edited by Rajah : 04-08-2003 at 11:51 PM.

04-09-2003, 09:19 AM	#8
satchel NetShrine All-Century Team Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 2,601	In my last two annual pilgrimages to the Oakland Collosseum, the A's yearbook cost just $10. I can't remember what my Tim Hudson T-shirt cost, probably on the order of $20 though. Of course, for $22.50 I was seated in the 10th row behind home plate. I love going to the Collosseum. It's a bargain, especially compared to the other two parks I visit regularly - Yankee Stadium and Fenway. Glad you had a good time at the game, Steve! I wish I could have been there - cold and all. __________________ Rare mold, old vomit - An anagram rejected by Tom Riddle

04-09-2003, 10:30 AM	#9
KCBOOMER NetShrine All-Century Team Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Home of the T-Bones Posts: 11,116	The key was that you were at the game. I forget what year it was (1991?) but I was at Yankee Stadium for their home opener against the Royals. I was in the upper deck nose bleed seats looking right down the third base line. I was in the "non-drinking" section (not because I cared, but, rather because that was the only ticket I could get). What a wild day. Despite the ban on beer in the section I was in people were hauling brewskis up there in mass quantities. By the fifth inning a few of the locals had decided to light up some doobies. The ushers, you say? They were practicing their ability to be invisible most of the time, except when they were demonstrating their ability to walk around the stadium without seeing anything. By the seventh there was a major brawl in the CF bleachers. Despite all these little inconveniences (other than the brouhaha in CF the fans while rambunctious were well behaved) I had a great time at the Shrine of Baseball. As for prices in other stadiums. I bought a fitted cap at last year's Royals home opener and it was $20. I would expect that cheap a T-shirt and a yearbook would run about $20 combined. So about half the cost of the stuff you bought. __________________ KCBOOMER *Buck O'Neil: The Monarch of Baseball*

04-09-2003, 11:58 AM	#11
gyb13 NS Omnipresent Brasilian Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Crazy George's playground Posts: 10,903	temperatures in PR (in Celsius) may be higher than those in some games (in Fahrenheit)! on changing the schedule around, i like your idea, rajah, but i doubt mlb would ever think ahead like that.... steve, ALS and ALCS are not that far off plus, the 1995 and 1997 ALDS were almost deadly for me __________________ Gustavo NDF Moderator Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. - Benjamin Franklin

04-09-2003, 07:03 AM	#5
JamesI Netshrine Vacuum Cleaner Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Potsdam, N.Y. Posts: 3,723	20 bucks for a yearbook? Well, someone's got to pay Giambi et al. 29 degrees aint too bad, but then again I'm used to going to games at Rich Stadium in Buffalo in January.

04-09-2003, 08:51 AM	#7
WiredTiger Guest Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The city of Kaline, Cobb and Greenberg Posts: 3,395	I think I would rather go to two games than go to one and buy all those trinkets. Fortunately Comerica isn't that expensive especially if you can nab a $8 seat that comes with a hot dog and a drink.

04-09-2003, 01:54 PM	#12
sweaver Netshrine Cleanup Hitter Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: The Mountain State Posts: 8,883	April is often nice in the northern climes....we've had some very nice days this month. But a lot more like today, cold and raining.

04-09-2003, 02:50 PM	#13
Skip NetShrine Vagabond Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Louisville Posts: 7,866	The flip side of sitting through a freezing game and still (relatively) enjoying it, is having to give up your tickets to opening day ... and having the person you GAVE them to come back later with "Well, it was a bit breezy and only in the low 50s so we just stayed home and watched TV." Geez, even if you weren't a baseball fan there were a zillion freebies, fireworks, etc. etc. etc. Aauuuugggghhhhhhh!

04-09-2003, 05:48 PM	#14
Wolf Hopper NetShrine Creator & Curator Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: NetShrine WHQ Posts: 6,191	Skip - that person needs to be moved off the ticket list and on to a whole different list, if you get my drift! Back to the Yankee Opener - - many stayed home, about 22,000 and opted to use the ticket for a later game (as the game yesterday really was a make-up of the Monday game, and the Yanks gave fans that option). To those who opted for this - only because of the cold - - and not because of some other schedule conflict - - I say: HA! I SAW GODZILLA'S 1st HR AND I HAVE THE GAME STUB TO KEEP! SO THERE! __________________ Steve, Forum Administrator POSTING TIP FOR THE DAY: When composing a post, think about what you would say if the intended recipient was an individual who was actually sitting just two feet in front of you, in person, rather than just some far away and anonymous audience who only can identify you as text on a PC screen - - and then write your post in that manner. It makes for remarkable and sincere discourse.

04-11-2003, 11:59 PM	#15
hmrsf forum mom Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: relocation Posts: 4,298	The Red Sox opener was very classey and very wet. Wish I saw a game. Ray Charles on a baby grand singing in Fenway......now I have seen it all. BTW, get the $20 year book. The 100 year edition done for Sox is priceless, well worth it. __________________ NDF who shares good karma! Get a coaster! My cup is not only 1/2 full it is brimming! We don't need no stinking Arods!

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