Here's the second set of photos from our trip to the New Yankee Stadium:

Here's the first set of photos from our trip to the New Yankee Stadium:








We were lucky enough to score (pay $80) some tickets to the Yankees Exhibition Series against the Cubs this weekend; so without further delay, here are some of our favorite shots:

Stadium Comparison	Current	New
Historical Date
Opening Day	1923	2009
Existing Field Dimensions Maintained
Field Dimensions	Left Field 318' Left Center 399' Center 408' Right Center 385' Right Field 314'	Left Field 318' Left Center 399' Center 408' Right Center 385' Right Field 314'
More Comfortable Seating
Total Seating Capacity*	56,886	52,325 (Including Standing Room)
Seat Width	18" to 22"	19" to 24"
Legroom Between Rows	29.5"	33" to 39"
Cup Holders	N/A	Cup holders in all seating in the general seating bowl
Home Plate To Backstop	72' 4"	52' 4"
Private Luxury Suites	19	56
Party Suites**	XXX	410
Stadium Amenities for Convenience
Average Concourse Width	17'	32'
Concession Fixed Points Of Sale Ratio	1 for every 260 Fans (not including portable and in-seat wait service locations)	1 for every 172 Fans (not including portable and in-seat wait service locations)
Restroom Fixtures Ratio	1 for every 89 Fans	1 for every 60 Fans
Family-Style Restrooms	N/A	12
Team Stores (Square Feet)	Approximately 6,800	Total Approximately 11,560 Main Store 5,825 Collectible/Art 1,735 Home Plate Store 2,435 Great Hall Store 1,565
Dining And Lounge Options	Yankee Club Stadium Club Pinstripe Pub Great Moments Room	Legends Club 2 Legends Dugout Lounges Grill Room Yankees Steakhouse Membership Club Main Level Outdoor Suite Lounge Terrace Outdoor Suite Lounge Martini Bar Sports Bar Outdoor Patio Area Outdoor Food Court Indoor Food Court
Main Video Scoreboard	25' by 33' 25MM (Standard Def.) LED	59' high by 101' wide 16 MM True HD LED
Elevators	3	16
* The total seating capacity figures include wheelchair, aisle-transfer and companion seats. ** The Party Suites capacity figure includes wheelchair, aisle-transfer and companion seats.

With Canon Digital Rebels and new lenses in hand, the River Avenue News team will be attending the Saturday exhibition game against the Chicago Cubs.

This news might come as a surprise to some. Namely, my girlfriend. Hopefully she reads this website.

We'll be seated in Section 208 Row 14, similar seats to those where we began last season's summer long Stadium Tour.

Here's a shot of our view:

According to an article posted on ESPN.com, the Chicago Cubs are slated to potentially play an exhibition game against the Yankees, in efforts to remove the Wrigley Curse and transfer it over to to the Bronx:

The Cubs and Yankees are talking about playing an exhibition game or games the weekend before most teams open the regular season, on Monday, April 6.

While the Cubs are the Yankees' first choice, the teams are still negotiating.

The official opener of the $1.6 billion ballpark is April 16 against Cleveland.

According to ESPN.com, over a dozen Yankee fans were arrested by NYPD officers for allegedly trying to steal items from Yankee Stadium.

New York City police say they arrested more than a dozen people for stealing pieces of Yankee Stadium during the 85-year-old ballpark's final game.

Police say 18 fans were charged with possessing stolen property.

Officers were out in force for the stadium's final game on Sunday to keep souvenir hunters from tearing away pieces of the place.

Derek Jeter, not one for media attention or one to shed a spotlight on himself, grabbed a wireless mic after Sunday's Stadium Finale, and thanked New York fans for their support:

In the final game ever played at Yankee Stadium, the Bronx Bombers sent out baseball's beloved cathedral in grand fashion. Andy Pettite pitched the best he has in a month, Jose Molina hit the last ever home run at the Stadium, and Mariano Rivera closed the door (despite a non save situation) in Mo-like fashion to end the ninth.

Derek Jeter was taken out of the game in the ninth inning to receive the proper sendoff the Yankee Captain was due. The entire Stadium erupted when Jeter came out to tip his hat, one last time.

New York Yankees
Hitters	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
J Damon CF-LF	4	1	1	3	1	0	0	.307
M Cabrera LF	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.243
D Jeter SS	5	0	0	0	0	2	3	.301
W Betemit SS	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.260
B Abreu RF	4	1	2	0	0	1	0	.299
A Rodriguez 3B	2	0	0	0	2	0	2	.303
J Giambi 1B	3	0	1	1	1	0	2	.249
B Gardner PR-CF	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	.190
X Nady LF	4	0	0	0	0	0	3	.267
C Ransom 1B	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.296
R Cano 2B	2	1	1	1	1	0	1	.264
H Matsui DH	3	1	1	0	0	0	2	.294
a-I Rodriguez PH-DH	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	.278
J Molina C	4	2	3	2	0	0	0	.221
Totals	32	7	9	7	5	3	14
a-grounded to second for H Matsui in the 7th
BATTING HR: J Damon (16, 3rd inning off C Waters 2 on, 0 Out); J Molina (3, 4th inning off C Waters 1 on, 1 Out) RBI: J Damon 3 (69), J Molina 2 (17), J Giambi (94), R Cano (64) SF: R Cano GIDP: J Giambi Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: D Jeter 2, I Rodriguez 1, X Nady 1, R Cano 1 Team LOB: 7
BASERUNNING SB: B Abreu (20, 2nd base off L Cormier/R Hernandez)
FIELDING E: A Pettitte (2, ground ball)

New York Yankees
Pitchers	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	PC-ST	ERA
A Pettitte (W, 14-14)	5.0	7	3	2	1	3	0	85-63	4.54
J Veras (H, 10)	0.2	0	0	0	1	1	0	16-8	3.54
P Coke (H, 3)	0.2	0	0	0	0	1	0	8-5	0.00
J Chamberlain (H, 18)	1.2	0	0	0	0	1	0	14-8	2.46
M Rivera	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	11-8	1.45
Totals	9.0	7	3	2	2	6	0	134-92
PITCHING Batters faced: A Pettitte 24; J Veras 3; P Coke 2; J Chamberlain 5; M Rivera 3 Ground Balls-Fly Balls: A Pettitte 6-6; J Veras 0-1; P Coke 1-0; J Chamberlain 2-2; M Rivera 3-0

Scoring Summary
			BAL	NYY
	2nd	J Payton grounded into fielder's choice to third, A Jones scored, K Millar out at second.	1	0
	3rd	M Mora singled to right center, B Roberts scored.	2	0
	3rd	J Damon homered to right, H Matsui and J Molina scored.	2	3
	4th	B Roberts singled to right, K Millar scored, J Payton to second.	3	3
	4th	J Molina homered to left, R Cano scored.	3	5
	7th	J Giambi singled to shallow left, B Abreu scored.	3	6
	7th	R Cano hit sacrifice fly to left, B Gardner scored, X Nady to second.	3	7

Special to River Avenue News
By Chris Lima

I’m exhausted. Its been a crazy couple of months between filming weddings, my regular job, trying to launch a new website, and most importantly, trying to stay sane.

I’ve got this date circled on my calendar, so I don’t miss it. It’s the last time I’ll ever be at Yankee Stadium. It’s also the first time since 1993 that I’ve been to the Stadium and the Yankees weren’t on their way to a post season.

I’m a little sad, mostly mixed feelings. The new Yankee Stadium looks unbelievable, but doesn’t have any memories in it, yet.

I get to work, but can barely concentrate on anything. My mind keeps wandering back to some of the games I’ve been at.

David Wells almost threw a second perfect game against the Athletics, and I was sitting in the front row, third base line with my little brother. I even heard Art Howe curse off the ump, as he was being ejected from the game.

I remember the first time I got to take the Day Camp to the Stadium all by myself. The Yanks were playing the Blue Jays in a miserably hot July, and it was 0-0 going into the bottom of the ninth. My rule is never to leave a game early, not even if you’ve got fifty screaming, smelly, drooling kids with you.

Ruben Sierra hit a first pitch walk off home run off Billy Koch in the bottom of the ninth, sending me and five other extremely happy counselors home.

The first game I went to with my college buddies was on a rainy April afternoon. We came ready with a bed sheet that had the phrase “Soriano for MVP” on it. Giambi hit his first home run as a Yankee that day.

I wish I could remember my first Yankee game, but it’s hazy. Was it against the Angels or the Royals? Sad, I can’t remember. I always hear people talk so vividly about their first game, and I wonder how much of that is real, and how much of that is formulated on what they believed their first game was like.

It’s finally lunch time, and my girlfriend is sitting outside my office at a picnic table, waiting to share a bite to eat. I’ve got some orange flavored chicken, courtesy of our cafeteria.
I can’t wait to get a hot dog.

After a 3:00 meeting ends, I’ve got a chance to escape early. I call my co-worker (who happens to be an obnoxious Red Sox Fan) who’s also going to the game, and we jump in my girlfriend’s car. Feels like a bank robbery, the way we bolted out of that office so fast.

There’s a little bit of traffic, but I guess that’s a given at rush hour.

We pull off the second exit for the Stadium, to get a better shot. I pull my Canon Rebel out for the first picture of the night.

I’ll have taken 526 more by night’s end.

We park in the lot my family has parked in about three hundred times before. I’m not sad yet; the parking lot isn’t going anywhere. And it cost me $17, so that takes a little bit of the nostalgia out of the evening.

To continue reading click here.

Special to River Avenue News
By Chris Lima

We leave the parking lot and walk down River Avenue. I try to get a bunch of photos of the River Avenue street signs, after all, that’s the street my blog is named after.

We get to the corner of 161st and River Ave. My co-worker leaves us to go find her husband. We head towards Gate 2, to get our tickets scanned one last time.

Everyone seems nicer today. I’m inside the Stadium for no more than five minutes and I’ve been bumped, pushed, and knocked into by some of the most courteous New Yorkers I’ve ever met.

We poke our heads out the Main section, just to watch batting practice for a while. Oddly, there’s not line to get in Monument Park. There’s no line, because it was closed. Oh well.

We find out seats in left field, Loge Box. Great view. I can’t see the Yankee bullpen that well, but its not that big of a deal now. Farnesworth was traded and Pavano is sitting in the dugout, so I don’t have a target to chuck my batteries at anymore.

This is my last chance to get a famous Yankee Stadium Hot Dog, so I order two. And a pretzel. And a beer. And then eventually two sodas. And a bag of popcorn that could drown a midget.

The stadium announcer comes on over the PA system, asking everyone to remove his or her hats for the National Anthem. Our section is in tears. Not because we’re patriotic, but because there’s a squirrel who made his way onto the field and can’t seem to find a way out.

There’s a rumor floating around that Bob Shepherd won’t make the final game on Sunday.

The Yankees bring out Emillio Navarro to throw out the first pitch. Navarro was selected by the Yanks, in the ceremonial Negro League Draft. Navarro is 102, but you couldn’t tell; he looked and acted like a little kid the moment he stepped onto the field.

The White Sox lead off the first inning, and score a run. Mike Mussina labors through the first, throwing way too many pitches. I swear, if the Yankees lose this game….

Bobby Abreu hits a home run to give the Yanks a 2-1 lead. I missed it because the squirrel is now trying to climb the netting behind home plate.

Mini Don Quixote, with a furry tail.

To continue reading, click here.

Special to River Avenue News
by Chris Lima

My last game in Yankee Stadium ended with the Bombers shaking hands and slapping asses in the infield. They go on to win 9-1, a sad reminder of what could have been.

My girlfriend, who has been a ball of energy throughout the game, asks another fan to take a picture of the two of us, with the field to our backs. After a few takes, she gets the photo she’s looking for, and gets her camera back from the wasted guy in the Mattingly jersey.

We met the day after the Yankees’ historic collapse in the ALCS against the Red Sox, senior year of college. It was karaoke night at the local bar and we were both there. I asked who her favorite Yankee was, and she oddly said Bubba Crosby.

At the time, I was the world’s biggest Bubba fan, and I instantly realized that the saying “There’s someone out there for everyone” was just not a line that roommates said to console a best friend after a bad breakup. Despite her best efforts, we started dating.

Our first game was on a Saturday against the Orioles. Carl Pavano started the game and Alex Rodriguez hit a walk off grand slam. We were the only ones left in the right field tier seats, and we were celebrating like lunatics.

We’ve watched countless Yankee games together, and she’s thrown countless pillows at me every time I suggest, “If you love Derek Jeter so much, why don’t you marry him?”

We were leaving the Stadium, and she was snapping away at anything that looked like a memory. She got a shot of the “Slippery When Wet” sign that always made us laugh for no apparent reason. (Could be that the sign was indoors).

I ran my hand against the railing, and then the wall, not sure why though. I guess that’s what you’re supposed to do.

I was initially against building the new Yankee Stadium, but have softened my stance since then. Its bittersweet leaving the Stadium for the last time, because you feel like you’re leaving a part of yourself there.

Looking across the street, you see this shiny new hunk of concrete and wonder if you’ll ever feel the same way about the new stadium as you did the old. You’ll watch a new Don Mattingly play first, watch a new Andy Pettite pitch the Yankees to four more world series, and you’ll have a hot dog.

And you'll stare out at the field hoping that the ghosts have found their new home. And one day, when they're tearing down the New Yankee Stadium to make way for the next one, you'll sit in the same revered silence, wondering how you'll ever live without the old one.

Brett Gardner made a fantastic catch, climbing the center field wall at Yankee Stadium, robbing Luke Scott of a home run. In what could be the last great catch ever made at the Stadium, Gardner also added an RBI while going 1-4.

Carl Pavano pitched well enough to earn his fourth win of the season. Thanks to an outstanding display from the bullpen, the Yanks were able to hold onto their 3-2 lead. They're still clinging onto whatever shred of playoff hope they have left.

New York Yankees
Hitters	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
J Damon DH	4	1	2	0	0	1	1	.310
D Jeter SS	4	0	1	0	0	0	2	.305
B Abreu RF	2	0	0	0	2	0	2	.298
A Rodriguez 3B	3	0	0	0	1	0	4	.302
J Giambi 1B	3	0	2	0	1	0	2	.251
M Cabrera PR-LF	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.243
X Nady LF	4	0	1	0	0	0	2	.277
C Ransom 1B	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.333
R Cano 2B	4	1	1	1	0	0	3	.264
I Rodriguez C	3	1	1	0	1	0	1	.279
B Gardner CF	4	0	1	1	0	0	2	.190
Totals	31	3	9	2	5	1	19
BATTING 2B: B Gardner (4, R Liz) HR: R Cano (14, 3rd inning off R Liz 0 on, 0 Out) RBI: R Cano (62), B Gardner (12) GIDP: X Nady Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: I Rodriguez 1, B Gardner 1, A Rodriguez 2, J Giambi 1 Team LOB: 9
BASERUNNING SB: I Rodriguez (10, 2nd base off R Liz/R Hernandez); J Damon (29, 2nd base off R Liz/R Hernandez)
FIELDING E: J Giambi (9, throw) Outfield Assist: B Gardner (N Markakis at Home).

New York Yankees
Pitchers	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	PC-ST	ERA
C Pavano (W, 4-1)	5.0	6	2	2	1	2	0	73-47	4.99
P Coke (H, 2)	0.2	0	0	0	1	2	0	17-8	0.00
B Bruney (H, 10)	0.2	0	0	0	0	2	0	8-7	1.99
D Marte (H, 10)	0.2	0	0	0	0	0	0	5-4	5.19
J Chamberlain (H, 17)	1.0	0	0	0	0	3	0	15-10	2.51
M Rivera (S, 37)	1.0	2	0	0	0	0	0	18-13	1.49
Totals	9.0	8	2	2	2	9	0	136-89
PITCHING Batters faced: C Pavano 21; P Coke 4; B Bruney 2; D Marte 2; J Chamberlain 3; M Rivera 5 Ground Balls-Fly Balls: C Pavano 5-7; P Coke 0-0; B Bruney 0-0; D Marte 1-1; J Chamberlain 0-0; M Rivera 2-1

Scoring Summary
			BAL	NYY
	1st	A Huff singled to center, B Roberts scored, N Markakis thrown out at home.	1	0
	2nd	L Montanez hit sacrifice fly to left, A Jones scored.	2	0
	3rd	R Cano homered to right.	2	1
	3rd	B Gardner doubled to deep left, I Rodriguez scored.	2	2
	5th	J Damon scored, D Jeter to second on wild pitch by R Liz.	2	3

News Reported by the Associated Press, as seen on ESPN.com:

NEW YORK -- Fans will be allowed to walk on Yankee Stadium's field for three hours before the ballpark's final game Sunday.

Gates will open at 1 p.m. -- about 7 hours, 15 minutes before New York plays the Baltimore Orioles in its final game at the 85-year-old stadium.

For the first three hours, fans can walk through Monument Park, behind the fence in left-center, and walk along the warning track in the outfield and to home plate. Field access will end at about 4 p.m., and Monument Park will close at about 6:45 p.m.

Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Goose Gossage, Ron Guidry, Graig Nettles and Bobby Richardson are to be part of the pregame ceremonies, which start at 7:05 p.m.

A closing ceremony for the stadium will be held after the season.

Bring Back the Squirrel!

8/28/08: Atop of his right-field foul pole perch at Yankee Stadium, a not-so-shy squirrel watches the Bronx Bombers beat the Red Sox , 5-3. The busy-tailed good luck charm has become a fan favorite receiving standing ovations and cheers as the he is shown on the scoreboard video screen scampering up and down on the pole.

Stadium Comparison	Current	New
Historical Date
Opening Day	1923	2009
Existing Field Dimensions Maintained
Field Dimensions	Left Field 318' Left Center 399' Center 408' Right Center 385' Right Field 314'	Left Field 318' Left Center 399' Center 408' Right Center 385' Right Field 314'
More Comfortable Seating
Total Seating Capacity*	56,886	52,325 (Including Standing Room)
Seat Width	18" to 22"	19" to 24"
Legroom Between Rows	29.5"	33" to 39"
Cup Holders	N/A	Cup holders in all seating in the general seating bowl
Home Plate To Backstop	72' 4"	52' 4"
Private Luxury Suites	19	56
Party Suites**	XXX	410
Stadium Amenities for Convenience
Average Concourse Width	17'	32'
Concession Fixed Points Of Sale Ratio	1 for every 260 Fans (not including portable and in-seat wait service locations)	1 for every 172 Fans (not including portable and in-seat wait service locations)
Restroom Fixtures Ratio	1 for every 89 Fans	1 for every 60 Fans
Family-Style Restrooms	N/A	12
Team Stores (Square Feet)	Approximately 6,800	Total Approximately 11,560 Main Store 5,825 Collectible/Art 1,735 Home Plate Store 2,435 Great Hall Store 1,565
Dining And Lounge Options	Yankee Club Stadium Club Pinstripe Pub Great Moments Room	Legends Club 2 Legends Dugout Lounges Grill Room Yankees Steakhouse Membership Club Main Level Outdoor Suite Lounge Terrace Outdoor Suite Lounge Martini Bar Sports Bar Outdoor Patio Area Outdoor Food Court Indoor Food Court
Main Video Scoreboard	25' by 33' 25MM (Standard Def.) LED	59' high by 101' wide 16 MM True HD LED
Elevators	3	16
* The total seating capacity figures include wheelchair, aisle-transfer and companion seats. ** The Party Suites capacity figure includes wheelchair, aisle-transfer and companion seats.

BRONX, NEW YORK
By Chris Lima

Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton put on a home run display worthy enough to make the Babe smile. Hamilton crushed 28 home runs in the first round of the derby, seemingly playing his own game of whiffle ball in the House That Ruth Built.

Pitching to Hamilton was 71 year young Claybon Counsil, his personal batting practice pitcher from North Carolina. Counsil was flat out amazing, giving Hamilton rest when he needed it by throwing a couple balls out of the strike zone.

Lost in the hub bub of Hamilton's tape measure shots, was the joy and love of the game on display, courtesy of Ranger's outfielder Milton Bradley. Bradley was a one man show, toweling off Hamilton, taking pictures during the at bat, and cracking a joke or two during his on the field interview.

David Ortiz left (in jest) during Hamilton's string of thirteen consecutive home runs on thirteen consecutive pitches. He left, of course, to a chorus of boos from the New York fans.

BRONX, NEW YORK
by Chris Lima

It's about time; Yankee cheap seats have finally out-priced those dainty, waitress serving, foam padded, leg roomed, great view seats behind home plate. And what event could cause the third sign of the Apocalypse to unfold?

The 2008 Home Run Derby, of course.

Tonight's 8:00pm event at the House that Ruth Built will consist of some of the Major's biggest hackers and power punchers, each trying to win the coveted title of Home Run Derby Champ.

The National League trots out some big sticks. However, two of their representatives play second base, a position not normally known for power. Chase Utley (Phillies; 25 HR) and Dan Ugla (Marlins; 23 HR) will join Lance Berkman (Astros; 22 HR) and Ryan Braun (Brewers; 23 HR) as the National League representatives.

The American League lineup consists of feel good stories and a handful of female fan dreamboats. Josh Hamilton continues to add to his fairy tale career, adding the Home Run Derby and an All-Star Game appearance to this roller coaster of a ride he's been on. Hamilton (Rangers; 21) will join Cleveland heartthrob Grady Sizemore (Indians; 23), Rookie sensation Evan Longoria (Rays; 16), and Justin Morneau (Twins; 14) as the AL looks to topple the NL in another Home Run Derby Classic.

RIVER AVENUE NEWS
by Chris Lima
Tuesday, July 8

In order to help Bomber slugger Jason Giambi make his way to the 2008 All-Star Game, the New York Yankees have started up a "Support the Stache" campaign. Yankee radio and television announcers (Michael Kay, John Sterling, David Cone, Susan Waldman, etc) will be delivering the "Support the Stache" rally cry during their broadcasts.

Yankee Officials have also submitted five Jason Giambi autographed baseballs to be distributed to fans who vote for Giambi on MLB.com

If you're interested in contributing to the "Support the Stache" campaign, you can click on the banner ad in the right hand column on this website. The ad transports you to the voting page on MLB.com

River Avenue writers will contribute to the "Support the Stache" campaign by donating ad space to ensure that baseball's classiest mustache shows up for the All-Star Game

Alex Rodriguez just tied Yankee legend Mickey Mantle on the All-Time home run list, hitting number 536 off of Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield.

The home run was A-Rod's seventh career off of Wakefield, and yes, it was a knuckleball.

The ball landed in the left field seats.