Stranger in a Strange New Stadium

The Not So Easy Transition from Old to New Yankee Stadium.....




If holding back tears while attending the last game ever at the "Real" Yankee Stadium, as we reluctantly said goodbye to cathedral none of us diehards wanted to close in the first place wasn't going to make this transition hard enough, the upper management of the New York Yankees found a way to make it even harder, and botch the process even further for many of us fans.

Yes I received my "relocation guide" for my Friday Night Plan, months in advance, months ago, and yes I leafed thru it, and braced for the worst as i read through endless pages of overly wordy convulsion purposely constructed to not only cover their arses (after the fact), but also to overwhelm, confuse, and to lull us into just accepting and agreeing to whatever it was that they had in store for us.





I'm one of many in a sea of DISLOCATED FANS

You see for the last 3 seasons I have had this plan (with my wife), in the upperdeck. Respectable seats that have become progressively better over the years as far as section geography goes, in relation to level we apply for, upperdeck (at least there are no licences $$ to apply for and incur way up there).

But now all of sudden we are completely displaced, demoted, and disregarded. I went from Tier Section 6 in the Old Stadium Low Rows (Infield, Behind Home, towards 1B) to the High Rows of the "300 Level"(whatever that is) "305",wrapped all the way around foulpole (into "un-fair" Territory)



No notice, no explanation, double the cost (literally), and with a 5-Day "take it or leave it", "move it or lose it" notice (again literally).

I took it.

Of course I did...

How couldn't We?

I'm a sucker for the Yankees, and I love my Friday Night Plan.


But their methodology and management of the whole process was less than comforting for us (some real longtime fans and season ticketholders). Their cold, not so subtle approach I can liken to my (now former) proctologist . His bedside manner was lacking also, before each procedure he would remove his gloves and lube his filthy hands with Tabasco Sauce.

I walked away from this experience in similar pain, with the same shameful discomfort, and a sense that maybe, just maybe things could have been handled with a tad bit of more care.

But Forget the "TLC"........

Appease me with a better explanation, more accessibility, more accountability, and more availability from their reps, and some semblance of consistency.

I hear there are some Friday Night Plans poping up on their Website (that may have been a rumor and/or changed again), but still I have a friend with 1yr less seniority that is still shut-out, others that were moved even further, others that were give abbreviated plans without much option.

It irks me if there are "newbees" (1st year getting a plan) out there that will be seated better than I, or people that moved upwards from box seats (because they were priced out by idiotic exorbitant prices and therfore also "displaced"), or Corporately claimed seats (yes thats what this whole stadium restructuring was about in 1st place- MORE LUXURY SUITES & OVER PRICED BOX SEATS WITH WAITER SERVICE)....


Amen to the squeaky wheels plan holders with seniority that get their way (I begrudge them nothing)-But why must I beg, plead, and squeal to get my rightful seat at twice the price in a stadium I didnt want and that we didnt need in the 1st Place.


When did things shift from us being the Team Rich in Tradition, to the Team Getting Richer at the expense of the Loyal Fan?

I mean arent we all in a recession or something to boot?

Hey- If We Waive "A-Narcissus" and his OverPriced Salary, can you please return me to my original seat, for my original price, in my original stadium?

Who Says You Cant Go Home?




Apparently Some Yankee Executives Do........
(at least to us meaningless upperdeck "partial" season ticket holders).......






But Still....


GO YANKS '09.......


-Sal-

The Birth of a Blog...a Lil' Bit from The Other Guy...

Hmmm...

So this is what blogging feels like.

Kinda like a mass-email but way less intrusive
(guess I'll have to learn to deal though)-

Maybe I can mass-blast the link out often to offset the uneasy feeling of having my words fall like trees in an uninhabited forest.

As for the subject matter, and our shared common affliction, being crossbreeds of a rare joint fanaticism, it is true I do bare the same cross.

For me it all started simply with 2 Players:

Mike Bossy & Don Mattingly.



After seeing each of them play their respective sports, I was hooked. On the sports they played, the teams they played for, and they themselves, namely 2 Legendary Players.

For me it never felt like suffering with the Yankees. Even back in the Early 80's they were already steeped in tradition, mystique, and a notion that their franchise was historically the best.

The only tough part for me was not seeing Donnie Baseball in October as back injuries were starting to plague him, while rapidly shortening his career, and limiting his ability to perform at his normal highest of levels. There was some relief in 1995, albeit a "Wildcard Birth" (what the hell is that anyway I remember thinking), and a short 5 game losing series.

The series was a heartbreaker, a flash in the pan, an underwhelming underachievement, and the one that got away for the Soon-to-be Dynasty (ala the Isles of the real late 70's- or so I've been told). But the one bright spot, for me at least, was that Mattingly made it there, and not only that, he also turned back the clock and preformed at his youthful highest level. ('95 BA OBP SLG
.417 .440 .708 )

I know I know, 5 games is too small of sample size to be considered. Too minute to prove any accomplishment of “clutch”. Yet I bet we know at least one unspoken, unnamed, genetically alter specimen, that would give all 30 of his millions, and all 30 of his backpage headlines in the month of February- (yes I know there is only 28 days) to start this year’s Postseason with an ALDS such as that (hopefully while propelling him and the yanks to a sustained successful playoff run and their 27th world series ring).

Hey one can dream, as hope springs eternal.

As bittersweet as it will be for me to watch “A-Voided mentioning” celebrate his ring in pinstripes, it was also initially how it was for me in 1996 watching one of the most magical seasons I ever witness transpire with out Mattingly on Roster. I remember feeling all season long, as late as September (or whenever the playoff roster cut off is) that they should remove Andy Fox and unretire Donnie B. (seemed like a no-brainer, how couldn't "Clueless Joe" lobby for this). But as we all know what followed next forever outweighed my pain for my fallen hero.

I'll never forget where I was for all 4 of those magic moments ( 1996- taking a prolonged break from my work shift at the Albany Marriot watching in the storage room on a roll-away TV, 1998- (A slight upgrade in locale) on the Upper-Eastside of Manhattan at the "original" "Brother Jimmy’s" before it moved a block and lost some luster like the A. Boone's Blast forever did after the events of '04, 1999- After My first ever failed scalpin' endeavor at Yankee Stadium or anywhere for that matter (FYI- my current overall ticket record yanks or otherwise is roughly <~997-3> not too bad, and no joke) I retreated back to friendly confines of the "UES", and last but not least 2000- Finally got to celebrate one live, and a subway series to boot, I showed up at Shea, and didn’t leave until 2hrs after gametime as the celebration on the field (and off) raged on. I almost feel inclined to include my 2001 memories as they are equivalent to these 4, if not stronger in some cases, but often need to remind myself that we didn’t actually win that “still amazing in defeat” Series. I have a mental block actually admitting defeat in 2 series in my life, one is the one I just mentioned, and the other is the 2002 Islander-Mapleleafs 7 game series.

Oh those Islanders.....

Never until the recent birth of my daughter have I felt a love so instantly strong (and umm oh yeah my wife, that too) as the day I discovered the New York Islanders. They were currently heaped in the midst of their 3rd consecutive Stanley Cup Run (that’s 3rd of “4-in-a-Row" just incase any Ranger Fans reading this have forgot, amazing what one year- "1994" enables one to repress). That team lead by the "Boss", "Trotts", "Battling Billy", and the Captain, Potvin (Who actually incidentally "doesn’t suck"- quite the opposite- Google his numbers if you don’t believe me), they were/are the best team I have ever seen in any sport from top to bottom. I was instantly hooked and jumped on the "Islander Bandwagon" hook line and sinker (funny to type, must be a “typo” cause is there such a thing?). I had no idea of the lifelong litany of torture and follies that were to shortly follow, and to haunt me for my life as I currently know it.

Talk about false advertisement.

Brian referred to them as "his mistress" (a poor choice of words- I would think for the man married to my sister. I liken them and their “false advertisement early on” more to that scene from the "Shining" where that dullboy Jack sees the beautiful unclothe woman in the hotel room (and he rushes to her as I did the 1982 Islanders) only to find out when he looks in the mirror that she is this ghastly disfigured horrific evil old lady, as I saw through a mirror called the 90's and again now in flashes with the 2008 Islanders).

I remember crying in the living room of my grandmothers house as I watched (alone) as the "Drive for Five" came oh so close, but failed (I even remember Pat Lafontaine the "rookie" in that playoff run). And I've been quietly (or not so quietly) crying on the inside as this Seemingly never-ending quest continues. Some quick flashes of greatness to hold me over "now veteran" Lafontaine's 1987 goal during quadruple the game-7 Easter epic (I listened to that entire {expletive deleted} game on the {expletive deleted} radio, Ray Ferraro's Multiple Overtime Greatness in the '93 Playoffs, David Volek's Overtime Winning Goal in Game 7 to oust the mighty Defending Champ Lemieux/Jagr lead Pens also in 1993 (I was at the bottom of a 20man pile-up after that, funny how one can yearn 16yrs later to feel that again, sounds Weird and Disturbing I know), The 2002 mirage, and even the Dubie lead 2006 mini easter epic part deux , the run to close out an improbable playoff birth).

Still the Suffering continues, that coupled with what now seems like an equally long Yankee drought (8 years in “Yankee Years” feels like 80), is what leads me to my current plight today, or should I say our plight. An on-going plight for me, for also the man lucky enough to be my brother-in-law, and anyone one else that reads this and empathizes with us.

Brian and I typically have these long winded ranting Isles/Yanks conversations anyway, so why not put it in a blog as a memento to enjoy when we are celebrating our first ever con-current Isles/Yanks Championships. The Islanders will put all their eggs (and hopes) in one basket this draft day when they attempt to draft "JT" (no not the guy that brought "SexyBack) the guy thats gonna help lead the "IslesBack" to the top of the standings, the second round, and eventually the Cup (gotta believe in the John Taveres, the Youth Movement, The Lighthouse Project, and the Rebirth of a Dynasty). Also have to hold out hope that there isnt really A-Curse and that the Yanks will capture at least one Title (if not more) in the next 9yrs (gotta believe in the heart of the Captain- Derek Jeter, the ghosts relocating and bringing the mystique next door, and the ability to play & win again as a "team", instead of floundering as "overpaid individuals", someone please spark the spirit of '96).

One last thing, thank god my sister didn’t marry that other guy, the “masshole” with season tickets on yawky way, as well as in the blue seats at MSG. Hated his catch phrase- ("I drive wicked Far, in my Carr to see the Sawx and NYR Hawky"). You still owe me one for scaring that guy off, man how different this blog would be.

Remember you may have been her 2nd choice, but you'll always be my 1st choice in the world of Blog.

That’s all for now.......

"Isle Be Yanking You"

-Sal-

Let the Search Begin

With the announcement that Alex Rodriguez will opt to undergo arthroscopic surgery to repair the torn labrum in his right hip, the Yankees are obviously in need of a stop gap at third base now. So let the search begin!

With Rodriguez out 6-9 weeks you are looking at a return sometime in early to mid May. Looking at the Yankees roster, the only candidate to replace Rodriguez is Cody Ransom. Although my take on him is that he isn't really much of a candidate. Generally when a player is 33 and has never had 70 Major League at bats in a season before, it is for good reason. A quick glance at his minor league stats tend to hint at why that is. With the exception of his .394 mark in 2004, Ransom has not had a year in which he had an OBP above .350 since 1999. Generally those numbers don't improve when you arrive in the big leagues. While he does have some pop he also tends to strike out a lot, walk a little, and hit for low averages. Those aren't attributes which earn you a starting spot on the New York Yankees. (Although for some strange reason they seem to earn you a spot on the Yankees bench far too often...Enrique Wilson anyone?). Imagine days when Jose Molina plays and the Yankees have a 7-8-9 of Ransom, Molina, Gardner. That's pretty much like a Pittsburgh Pirates lineup.

Of all the names I have heard bandied about, my preference is Chone Figgins from Anaheim. Figgins, a free agent at seasons end, is attractive for a number of reasons:

1. He can play third base.
2. He can also play second base, shortstop, and every outfield position. This is particularly attractive because it gives the Yankees an attractive and versatile bench option when A-Rod returns. Not only is Cody Ransom not that, but neither is Angel Berroa...another guys who the Yankees decided to donate a paycheck to this spring.
3. He has a career OBP of .356 in the majors, including a .393 mark two years ago.
4. He has averaged nearly 45 stolen bases a year over his five full major league seasons. Given his minuscule slugging percentages, his ability to steal bases help turn his many singles and walks into doubles. Plus the Yankees could Have Figgins, Gardner, and Damon in the 8-9-1 spots...three guys in a row who would be threats to get in scoring positions for the heart of the order.
5. At 31 he is younger than Ransom.
6. If Brett Gardner fails and when Melky Cabrera fails in CF, Figgins becomes a legit option when he is no longer needed at third.

Anaheim is in need of an outfield bat. The Yankees have an abundance of those. While you probably couldn't get the to take the non-outfielder Hideki Matsui and his $13 million for Figgins, you probably could get them to do a Figgins for Xavier Nady type of deal. Plus then you would solve the Nady problem as well (that's the one where people think Nady is a very good ball player when he really isn't). If Figgins didn't work out you could let him walk at the end of the season.

Finally, to address the people who think the Yankees are better off without the guy whose 162 game averages are a .389 OBP, a .578 slugging percentage, 44 home runs, and 127 RBI's. GIVE ME A BREAK! Is the guy a jerk? Yes. A liar? Yes. A disappointment in October? Yes. But for god sake he is a monster in the regular season which, believe it or not, does count...especially when you have two other 95 win teams in your division. It's nice to think about no A-Rod and all of the baggage that he brings with him. But you also need to think about how to replace that production and quite simply, you can't. If they had signed Manny in the off-season, then you'd have a case. But they didn't. And the Yankees need that type of production this year more than ever. They don't have a 2004-2007 Yankees offense. This Yankees offense has Johnny Damon, who at 35 has little chance of repeating his 2008 season. They also have a declining Derek Jeter, huge question marks in Posada, Cano, Matsui, and Gardner. The only sure thing is Teixeira, who is quite possibly their best free agent acquisition since the Moose signed on in the winter of 2000. I know people like to talk about how the dynasty teams didn't need big stars like A-Rod. "They grinded it out with guys like Scott Brosius!" Yes they did grind it out with guys like Brosius (he of the lifetime .278 postseason OBP...yes that's .278, not .378). Of course what those people forget to mention is that it is a lot easier to grind it out with light hitting third basemen when you have 5 aces in their primes filling your rotation, coup-led with the greatest closer ever in his prime, and topped off with dominant set up relief. Since Rodriguez has come to the Yankees they have had the luxury of trotting out the following pitchers to start postseason games: an aging Mussina, Jon Lieber, Kevin "Everyone knew I was a nut job even before Joe Torre threw me under the bus" Brown, Javy Vazquez, and aging and injured El Duque, Chien Ming Wang, an almost dead Randy Johnson, Jaret Wright, a 35 year old Andy Pettitte, and an almost dead Roger Clemens. Not exactly David Cone, Clemens, Duque, Pettitte, and Boomer Wells in their primes.

Comments? Is anybody out there?

The Kids are Alright!

I was at the Coliseum yesterday to witness what was probably the most gratifying win of this lost season yesterday. Not only did we handily beat the #2 ranked team in the conference, chasing one of the game's all-time great goalies in the process, but more importantly we did so on the backs of our team's youth. It's always encouraging for a team going through a youth movement to outplay one of the conference's elite, while receiving such impressive contributions from the young players to whom you are giving an opportunity.

To recap, the Islanders soundly defeated the Devils 7-3 in a matinee yesterday, receiving three goals from 25 year old Sean Bergenheim, a goal from 20 year old Kyle Okposo, 2 assists from 19 year old Josh Bailey, a goal from 23 year old Blake Comeau, and even a goal and assist from 24 year old Jeff Tambellini. Additionally Jesse Joensuu turned in another strong effort, showing solid work along the boards and a knack for creating opportunities with his play around the net.

While losses are preferable to meaningless wins at this stage of the season in order to solidify a top 2 pick in June's draft, wins like yesterday's, that come from the efforts of the young players on the roster can be looked at not as meaningless, but as building blocks. Kudos to Scott Gordon who has obviously done wonders teaching the young players on the team. Getting consistently good play from Okposo over the second half of the year and getting more than just flashes of brilliance out of Bergenheim. It is apparent to me that the right coach for a youthful rebuilding team is in place.

Hopefully the Islanders (9-8-3 in their last 20, 3-1 since sending their former captain home) don't get too good this season. They still desperately need a top 2 pick in the draft. The presence of either John Tavares or Victor Hedman would accelerate the rebuild dramatically.

Comments?

-Brian

The Bill Guerin Trade Saga

I firmly believe that Bill Guerin will be traded before Wednesday's NHL trade deadline. Of this I am certain. The big question on the minds of Islanders and NHL fans is where exactly will the captain be traded? If you are a fan you are already very familiar with the situation. Guerin is pulled from the Islanders lineup Saturday night, minutes before the Isles faced off against the Sabres. Everyone immediately assumes, for good reason, that Guerin has been pulled because he has been traded. We all expected word about the trade to come down during the game, immediately following the game, or at the absolute latest, Sunday morning. Since that time numerous sources and countless numbers of fans have been trying to guess where Guerin will be traded to. Yet a quick peak at newyorkislanders.com reveals that Guerin is still a member of the Isles. Jesse Joensuu has been recalled from Bridgeport to play for the Islanders tonight in Guerin's absence. It is clear Guerin has played his last game for the Isles.

My take is that the deal that the Islanders felt they were close to having on Saturday night fell apart. Maybe because the team backed out. Maybe because other teams have entered the bidding. I don't buy the idea that the Islanders have bungled this ordeal by pulling Guerin from the lineup without trading him yet. They never came out and said "We are trading Bill Guerin." They simply removed him from the lineup so that he doesn't get hurt. As their most valuable trading asset at this time you really can't fault them. The last thing they need is for him to get hurt before they can trade him. I fully expect this deal, along with the other deals that I am hoping they make, to go down to Wednesday's deadline. It behooves them to wait it out and get other, desperate teams involved. Garth Snow will have done well for himself if he can spin Guerin off for a 2nd round pick and a grade B prospect. He will have done even better if he can expand the deal to include other trade assets in order for him to get the Islanders a third first round pick in this year's deep draft. Stay tuned...

-Brian

The Birth of a Blog...a Little Bit About Brian...

So as I sat pondering how to start this blog I realized that I should start with a simple introduction. Not with my thoughts on the potential Bill Guerin trade. Not on why Nick Swisher should get more playing time than Xavier Nady. And certainly not with a post on steroids and he who shall remain nameless for right now. So instead I am going to tell you why I am co-authoring a blog titled The Pinstriped Isle.

On the day that I was born I was given my first Yankees hat, thus beginning what has been, up to this point, a life long love affair with the New York Yankees. They have been a constant throughout the course of my life. From Jerry Mumphrey to Mark Texeira, from Oscar Gamble to Nick Swisher and everybody in between. I followed them religiously throughout the 1980's when they could rake with the best of 'em, but they couldn't ever muster much beyond Ron Guidry when it came to quality starting pitching. My following became more intense as the 1990's dawned and I was certain that the new M&M Boys (no, not Mantle and Maris, but Maas and Meulens) would restore the franchise to greatness. I was devastated when the 1994 strike cancelled the playoffs and with it my first chance to watch the Yankees play meaningful baseball in October. I gloated obnoxiously to anyone who would listen when the 1996-2000 Yankees steamrolled anyone in their path (except for Jaret Wright and the 1997 Indians!). And the 2004 ALCS to this day continues to feel like an open wound that somebody is continuously pouring salt into.

If the Yankees have been my life long love affair then the New York Islanders have been the mistress who I just can't stay away from, even though she continues to wreak havoc in my life. I've cheered for the Islanders my whole life as well. I can remember listening to the voice of Jiggs McDonald as my dad watched the dynastic Islanders of the early 1980's. Bryan Trottier was my favorite player because we shared a first name (although I don't spell it with a y). However it was the spring of 1988 when the first place Islanders took on the upstart New Jersey Devils in the playoffs that I began to follow the team with the same sort of passion that I have always followed the Yankees with. Rookie sensation Sean Burke lead the Devils past the Isles in that series. I should have known to run for the hills then. But alas I have been on board for the last 21 seasons, witnessing the Islanders win only two playoff series in that time. I have seen them go through several ownership groups, very few of them who seemed to have even a passing interest in the team. I witnessed first hand the 1994 Rangers come into Nassau Coliseum and humiliate us in Games 3 and 4 of the first round as all of the obnoxious Rangers fans celebrated in our building. I recall the hope of all Islanders fans when John Spano was set to purchase the team and spend big bucks to restore them to respectability, only to find out that he was a fraud and didn't have any money. My blood boiled during the Leafs series of 2002 when Darcy Tucker and Gary Roberts took out Michael Peca and Kenny Jonsson and in effect ruined our chances of a deep playoff run. And I continue to support them fanatically today as they are in year 1 of yet another rebuild.

Two franchises, the Yankees and the Islanders, who couldn't be further apart despite both playing in the NY metropolitan area. One of them the most famous franchise in the world, playing in what was the cathedral of professional sports. The other team is virtually anonymous in their own backyard, playing in a building that is probably the biggest dump in all of professional sports. Hooking all of their hope to the idea that the Lighthouse Project will get done. Over the course of my life I have actually encountered very few people who are passionate fans of both of these teams. Many Yankees fans. A lot of Islanders fans too. But very few who are fans of both, and even less who are as passionate about both as I am. That is until I was introduced to my wife's family for the first time...

In 2002 I met my brother-in-law Sal for the first time. We hit it off pretty quickly as it turned out he was not only a huge Yankees fan, but at that time an Islanders season ticket holder too. I actually remember having a long conversation with him on the day I met him about whether or not the Yankees as we knew them were finished (this was 2002, right after the Angels eliminated them from the playoffs). We decided to co-author this blog because although we are eqaul in our fanaticism for these two teams, we often have vastly different opinions on how the teams should operate. We are hoping to use this blog as a forum to argue back and forth about our teams. Feel free to jump in with comments whenever our discussions dictate that you do so. Enjoy the reading!

-Brian