Baseball's greatest fan reports

"Take Me Out To The High-Tech Ballpark, Take Me Out To The Game"

2008-11-20T10:27:03-05:00

Baseball tunes of the past don't sing as fluidly when updated to the high-tech present, but the New York Yankees are in the process of doing exactly that— changing the tune and high tech tone of the stadium experience for Yankee fans for the 2009 season. Cisco Systems, the high-tech behemoth, has partnered with the Yankees organization, also known as the most expensive franchise in American sports, and wired the new Yankee Stadium with the latest informational and video-enhancing wizardry that is sure to make waves across the spectrum of 21st century stadium planning, design, and construction for many years to come. The new Yankee Stadium will boast an astonishing array of newly acquired technologies, including the ability to program 1,100 high-definition TV monitors with live game coverage, statistics, highlight video, promotional messages, and weather and traffic updates which will be broadcasted to virtually every imaginable niche of the new ballpark. Luxury and party suites will be outfitted with special touch-screen phones, enabling company-sponsored attendees and well-off fans to order food and merchandise without ever leaving their seats. Each player will also have a computer installed at his locker that will be fully linked to Cisco's video-conferencing technology installed in the new stadium's business conference center. Although some elements and features of the new high-tech system will take some time to go operational, Cisco claims that the driving force behind the implementation and integration of these technologies at the new Yankee Stadium is their desire to elevate the fan experience. One fan, who we'll call Joe the Fan because he wishes to remain anonymous, voiced his vehement disagreement with these changes: "The smell of hot dogs and cheap beer will be replaced with a DVR / TiVo mentality. The Yankees might as well partner with major pharmaceutical companies to prescribe drugs at the gate that will enhance the fan experience!" It is apparent that Joe the Fan here is not the alone in his criticism of a high tech experience at the new Yankee Stadium. Many Yankees fans in fact have responded harshly to the announcement regarding the high-tech wizardry of the new Yankee stadium, complaining that they don't go out to the ballpark to watch the game on a flat-screen TV. Others have expressed concern that the employment of such technologies will make already prohibitively expensive tickets even more expensive, and have suggested that the ultimate goal of the $15 million cooperative venture between Cisco Systems and the New York Yankees organization is to not just to elevate the fan experience, but to elevate the price of attending games in the brave new world of their Yankee baseball future. In recessionary times Joe the Fan's response reveals a deep-rooted concern that the game experience is being fundamentally changed for the worse. Joe thinks he knows what Yankees ownership has in store for Yankee baseball fans these days: "The Yankees ownership is sticking it to average guys like me. We're asking the baseball higher ups to mellow out, let us watch and cheer like always, while ownership is basically saying that in the future, along with this TiVo mentality, we're supposed to drink champagne instead of beer, eat crepes instead of hot dogs. That's not baseball, that's boardroom." Photo Credit: NYC.com, All Rights Reserved ©2008

Tags: 2009 season, cisco systems, flat screen tvs, high tech, new yankee stadium

Analysis: Phillies Win, Minus the Drama

2008-11-01T12:46:45-04:00

Noticed how the Rays managed to tie game 5 in a torrential rainy mess? Delayed because it was on Fox—and until it actually got downright dangerous, they finally suspended the game. MLB commissioner Bud Selig—a total idiot. He claimed that no matter what, the game would not have ended early if the Rays never tied. (According to MLB rules, a game is official after five innings.) So the idiot called a delay in the seventh, and it never stopped raining thereafter. They continued the game two nights later with all the same ticket holders. The idiot should have listened to the weather forecasters that advised him to postpone the game. Then maybe we would have had a decent World Series instead of a dismally-low rating and a pathetic show. But what do you expect when you have an idiot running the show?

Bedlam in Tampa

2008-10-20T08:29:28-04:00

Last year's American League last place and worst record Tampa Bay Rays upset the Boston Red Sox for the American League Championship. If I had stated this publicly in June, I would have been committed! Who would think that a team with one of the lowest payrolls in baseball could defeat a team with one of the highest? Rays manager Joe Maddon was confident the Rays would be able to win before the game when he talked to the media. So last night they won at home with their quirky field, where they compiled the best home record in baseball this season. Who would figure!? Ex Red Sox Manny Ramirez and the current Red Sox players all hail the new kids like BJ Upton and Matt Garza. The Rays have established themselves as the new face of baseball just as perennial leaders like the Yankees and Angels have faded. Another year has to go by for the Yankees and Red Sox—and poor David Ortiz has to wait all winter just like Jeter. The Rays to baseball is what Obama is to politics—a breath of fresh air!

Tags: joe maddon, red sox, tampa bay rays, yankees

The Billy Goat Curse Lives On

2008-10-07T13:00:22-04:00

According to my research, the Billy Goat curse was placed on the Cubs in 1945 when Billy Goat Tavern owner Billy Sianis was asked to leave a World Series game at Wrigley Field because his pet goat's odor was bothering other fans. He was outraged and placed a curse on the team, saying there would never again be a World Series game played at Wrigley Field. His exact words: "Them Cubs, they aren't gonna win no more." So poor Cubs fans will never win until this famous curse is lifted. Perhaps they should do the New York City thing and just build a new stadium next to Wrigley field. Then they should charge a lot of money so the average fan can not attend any games (if they do their tab will be over $100 for a few beers and two bad seats). That's Yankee Stadium this past year—so just imagine next year. The Yankees were so concerned with a curse being placed on the New Yankee Stadium that after a Red Sox construction worker told the New York Post that he placed a David Ortiz shirt under the Yankees' dugout, the team had the shirt exhumed and the worker was fired. More security was called for to prevent future mishaps. Let us hope that the economy somehow survives and people actually buy tickets. The Yankees top brass can forget about the Lehman Bros. luxury box, along with many others. Maybe it will be very surreal as a team with a quarter-billion-dollar payroll plays while the world is in a economic depression. But let's be hopeful and equate the Yankees selling out next year to a stable global economy; after all, everything's connected—just like A-Rod's guaranteed salary and Wall Street golden parachutes....

Tags: a rod, billy goat curse, cubs, david ortiz, lehman bros, wrigley field, yankee stadium, yankees

Yankees Sign GM Brian Cashman Until 2011 + American - National League Picks

2008-10-01T15:48:41-04:00

The Yankees signed GM Brian Cashman through 2011. Translation: Sign CC Sabathia over the winter and if they are 10 games out of First place next year in early June then Manager Joe Girardi is Fired! In New York a manager has to handle the media and Girardi was nervous and opposite from Joe Torre. Former Mets Manager Willie Randolph was a joke with the media always on the defensive and of course was let go. As far as the Mets collapse this year I wonder how many Therapists are booked up this week counseling their Met fan patients. Detroit lost the play in game against the Chicago White Sox in perhaps one the best play off games that was not a play off game but a tie breaker. Still a regular season game all the stats count and the teams had the September expanded rosters of 40 players not 25. Former Yankee big mouth Gary Sheffield with 499 home runs could have belted his 500 homer thus assuring Hall of Fame status but he sucked it up. Only able to DH now he may not come back as maybe no one will take him. How funny will it be for him to end his career with 499 homers - Ouch!! maybe he'll play for free? OK Now to the Playoffs: This is the first time in over 100 years that Chicago has the Cubs and White Sox in the playoffs. Chicago is a baseball town like New York and its bursting as I heard fans today from both teams calling various sports radio shows. Brewers versus Phillies goes to Philadelphia and I'm predicting a sweep. The Phillies have been good for a while and are hungry. Yes the Brewers have the best pitcher in Baseball CC Sabathia but the Phillies are stacked. Dodgers versus Cubs goes to the Cubs and both teams have great players but this is the battle of celebrity managers. This is Joe Torre versus Lou Pinella and sweat Lou wants it bad and has the team. Manny will carry the Dodgers only so much. This will go 5 with the Cubs taking it. Angels versus Red Sox goes to the Angels with home field and should go 5. These are 2 great teams however the Boston Red Sox has some pitching problems - mainly is Beckett hurt? White Sox versus Rays. This is Tampa Bay's first time in the playoffs and they will not be the miracle 1969 Mets... sorry. This goes to the White Sox as they have the experience. Experience - just look at Ken Griffy Jr. and Jim Thome with over combined 1,100 home runs. Look for Rays pitchers to throw Griffey low hard cheese that he will pop hard over the fence very deep! So this leaves us with a Chicago cross town series with the White Sox having home field advantage since the American League won the All Star game - thanks Derek Jeter!! Could this be the year for the Cubs? Can the Cubs end the Wrigley Field Billy Goat Curse? The Cubs organization has a fondness Billy Goats they are allowed into the park if it helps. Billy Goats are banned everywhere else but lets see what happens. Last, just how many games will Lou Pinella get tossed out this post season?

Shea Stadium is put to bed

2008-09-28T19:44:47-04:00

It was a very sad day today in Flushing Queens. The Mets lost and the last game ever at Shea Stadium was played. The Mets fans left the game in the 7th inning. They actually did not leave they were just in a state of shock and it was very quiet. To Quiet!! Shea Stadium had some very class acts over the years like Tom Seaver, Willie Mays, David Cone, Jerry Kooseman, Rusty Staub. Kieth Hernandez... Shall I go on - I should go on; - Tug McGraw, Cleon Jones, Gary Carter, Mookie Wilson, Lee Mazzili, Tommy Agee... OK I'll stop now but I can name many more. All over the country everyone is talking about the Mets choking again like last year. Seeing Carlos Delgado fly out in the 8th with 2 out, 2 on and 2 behind - how pathetic. David Wright did not fare well in the 9th and I'm really tired of hearing him at the end of each lose sheepishly talk to the press. Today he sounded like a little boy. Well the Brewers are in the playoffs and the Mets can just watch. No post season baseball in NYC for 2008.... On a more happier note - Yankees Pitcher Mike Mussina won his 20th game for the first time and mark my words he will retire now in class. Over in the American Central the White Sox won thus forcing a make up game with the Tigers tomorrow in Chicago. The Tigers can not be happy at all after their pathetic season thinking they can go home and now they have to go and play the White Sox. Now If the White Sox win then they have to play a one game "play in" game against the Twins for the division!! On Tuesday I'll have my pennant predictions and players to watch. Stay tuned!

Down to the Wire

2008-09-28T09:43:46-04:00

The Mets live for another day as Santana pitches the best game of his career. The Brewers lost and the Mets are now one up in the wild card!! The Phillies clinched the National East so all the Mets have to do today is WIN. I repeat - all the Mets have to do is WIN... Why is everyone so scared? Maybe since they spent their best picher and have nothing in the tank...we shall see. The Mets may get lucky and back into the wild card by losing along with the Brewers losing thus limping into the first round of playoffs after a Monday playoff game. But lets hope they win 9 to 6 and let the Brewers win. Anything can happen here and I predict that the Brewers will win and the Mets will lose forcing a Monday playoff game!! Now to the American Central with the Twins losing 2 and now 1/2 up on the White Sox for First in the Central. I predict they both will either win or lose forcing a Monday make up game. How exciting will it be if baseball will have these pre-post season playoffs. Lets hope that the economy does not collapse Monday so we can enjoy it...

Tags: brewers, mets, national east, phillies, white sox

The Mets Meltdown

2008-09-25T13:43:02-04:00

Yes the sky is falling again as the Mets are crashing hard. Losing to the Cubs along with the Brewers winning now puts the Mets in a tie for the wild card with just a few games to go. But wait, the Astros have inched up and are now 3.5 out of the wild card with 5 games left to go. Conceivably the Brewers and Mets can lose the rest of the way and the Astros can get in which would be a miracle. The Mets were a total joke last night giving up a lead then not being able to score with bases loaded and no outs! Thanks David Wright!!! Now the bad weather is rolling into NYC and the Mets have to play. The Dodgers are on the verge of clinching in the National West so Joe Torre will ride again! OK - now to the American central as the Twins beat the White Sox last night and are now just 1/2 game out in a classic dog fight for First with these 2 teams. These 2 teams are playing tonight and if the Twins win then watch out!

Tags: astros, brewers, cubs, dodgers, mets, white sox

End of an Era for the Yanks, and the season goes down to the wire for the Mets

2008-09-24T08:39:40-04:00

The Yankees were officially eliminated from the postseason last night when the Red Sox won and cliched the American League Wild Card! Now the Yankees look at closure with some housekeeping—by Jason Giambi and several others and hello to the new Stadium and new beginnings. I went to the last game in hopes of some how getting tickets as the box office announced that some tickets will be available and released throughout the day. At 5PM I gave up as the line in front of me was long and the guy passing me who just got 2 tickets was on line since 6 in the morning! Many fans are not happy about the new stadium including myself. Yes the Stadium was rebuilt in 1975 but its the same field that Babe Ruth played and its sacred ground!!! OK now to the races: The Mets won and the Phillies lost and the Milwaukee Brewers won in dramatic bottom of the 9th inning fashion. Translation - DOG Fight - the Mets are now 1.5 games behind the Phillies but just 1 game up on the Brewers for the National League wild card. The Mets and Brewers have NO bullpen and the Phillies are complete. The Mets and Brewers will fight for the wild card with no relief pitching like 2 bald men fighting over a hair comb! The Dodgers are still up in the National League West but they can not finish it off and the Arizona Diamondbacks are just 2.5 back. With a week to go anything can happen!! OK now to the only race left in the American League in the central division. The Chicago White Sox are playing the Minnesota Twins and the Twins won Tuesday night and are now just 1.5 games out with 6 to go - WOW. So there you go with one week left we have 3 intense dog fights - BASEBALL !!!

Tags: arizona diamondbacks, mets, minnesota twins, red sox, white sox, yankees

The Yankees have left the Dance Floor and can the Mets still Dance

2008-09-18T06:42:36-04:00

The Yankees are working on next year's bullpen and looking at restructuring. The Mets are in a classic fight for first place with the Phillies that's shaping up to be a total dog fight to the end. The Mets kept pace last night, keeping a 1/2 second place lead with the Phillies. The problem is the Milwaukee Brewers are right behind them for the wild card and the Mets can find themselves fighting with the Brewers later this week. It all rests on the Mets bullpen and for their money players to step up. Will they collapse like last year?! The Brew Crew are a tough bunch and they are on a cause since manager Yount got fired and still supports the team and don't forget about the Houston Astros just 4 games behind the Brewers. American League Central - The Minnesota Twins are 2-1/2 behind the Chicago White Sox. This is a real dog fight with the winner take all and no wild card - that's it American Central League winner takes all and loser goes home. OK the Dodgers as I promised... Manny can't do it all but he's hitting 400 since being traded from Boston. Conceivably the Arizona Diamondbacks can be just 3-1/2 behind the Dodgers going this weekend. Holy cow ,what a race!