SB Nation User Blog: MQAblog

Final Home Game - Story & Pics

MQAblog — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 04:01:49 -0000

I was lucky enough to be at the final home game at The Stadium. It was one of the best nights of my life. If you'd like to read a little story and see a nice pictorial I have one started here.

There was a festive, not sad, air in The Stadium. The weather was surreal in it's perfection. The afternoon was incredibly sunny and only slightly warm. In the evening some clouds formed in the distance giving stunning dimension to the orange and pink sky. And the night was a perfect 72 degrees with a calm and cool breeze flowing through the stands.

New Staduim cheats Old fans

MQAblog — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 18:36:42 -0000

I have had the Sunday ticket package for a few years now. It's great! I get Opening Day, Old Timers Day and every Sunday home game. It's perfect for those of us who work a lot but still want to go out and see our team.

I have been very excited because not only do I get to go to the very last game at the old Stadium, but my package also includes opening day. So I will be able to see the first game at the new Stadium too. Right? Wrong!

Seems they can make more money shutting out the old ticket holders and selling that game alone or including it only for the big shots and casual fan ready to ante up for the historic day.

This really leaves a sour taste in my mouth. I can put up with $11 beers, constant ticket price increases and sometimes mediocre play. But this really sucks. I look forward to seeing my Sunday games at the new Stadium next year. But it will probably be the last ticket package I buy.

There is a difference between "loving" the Yankees and "being screwed" by them. Seems that, with the new Stadium, screwing long time fans is the plan. That's loyalty for ya :(

Yankees Fence in Fans during Patriotic music

MQAblog — Thu, 10 May 2007 17:21:44 -0000

Sometimes I feel myself evolving into Andy Rooney - a curmudgeon complaining about everything. Well, here I go again. What I want to whine about today is the policy of the New York Yankees during the National Anthem and God Bless America. I see in today's NY Times that the Yankees now have a strict policy of fans being forbidden to move at all during the playing of these two songs. Crossposted at MQAblog and Daily Kos

OK let me start at the beginning. The playing of the National Anthem at the beginning of sporting events is a long held American tradition. I have no problem with it at all. I stand respectfully with my hands to my side and hat off.

So I think that the National Anthem is fine at the beginning of the game. But ever since 9-11 we now all rise to sing "God Bless America" in the 7th inning. An easier song to follow (especially after 7 innings of beer sales) the crowd usually sings along. Personally I think that we should sing God Bless America at the beginning and leave the rest of the time to sing "Take me out to the ball game" and "Charge!!". (

Every team probably has their own unique sing-a-longs. My favorite at Yankee Stadium is the song for Jorge Posada. It is difficult to write how it goes but basically it is a long chant of "hor-hay, hor hay, hor hayyyyy, jor hayyyy, hor hayyyyy". Believe me it sounds good when tens of thousands of people are cheering/singing it).

But the Yankee policy of forbidding people from making their way to the restroom or wherever during these songs is just too much. I have noticed that 90% of the people naturally stop where they are while the National Anthem plays then afterwards make their way to wherever they are going. During God Bless America there is a bit more activity as people rush between innings so they get back in time for the end of the game. Now we will not be permitted to move freely as we sing about our freedom. We will be forced to stand where we are until, under the watchful eye of security, the song stops and we are permitted to go take a pee or buy an All American hot dog. To me - it seems downright Un-American to MAKE people stand for a song. In fact, it sounds down right fascist to me.

So, I have to agree with the ACLU

"Yankee management is free to promote its brand of musical patriotism," Arthur Eisenberg, the legal director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, said in a written statement. "But we need to be wary of enforced cultural conformity and the use of a ballgame to impose political correctness on a captive audience."

Shows of patriotism, like that of religious faith, seems to have taken a strange turn during the past generation. Once a private action, recently we have been forced to publicly demonstrate our beliefs. We have had politicians build up reverence for symbols like the flag and these songs while they simultaneous remove the very freedoms the symbols once stood for! They have tried to force Christian rituals on the American people while they pursue policies which can be argued are not very Christian at all. Frankly, I think the efforts to elevate the importance of symbolism are part of a conscious plan to distract the American people from the substance of policies these politicians pursue.I personally believe that people should stand for the songs, stay still if possible and show respect for our country. But to FORCE ticket paying customers to do so is way beyond the pale. It seems pretty basic knowledge that the 1 sure fire way to make someone resent doing something (even something they would voluntarily want to do) is to mandate it.I have no problem standing still for these songs. I do have a problem being told that I must do that.

As a related issue (not sure if I wrote about it last year) is the use of military aircraft to open a baseball game after the National Anthem. During Opening Day 2006, the fighter jets buzzed the stadium so close that the noise shook the seats and the danger to fan safety seemed real. One false move, one mechanical failure and a speeding jet plows into the seats. That alone is a bad idea - never mind the symbolism of cheering an aircraft designed only to kill. During the 1st playoff game last year they also used fighter planes. I was running late for the game and was in line to get in the Stadium when the jets unexpectedly flew directly overhead. I am not exaggerating when I say that we unsuspecting fans and ticket agents all either crouched down in terror or hit the ground flat! C'mon is it really necessary to do that? That's my gripe today. Thanks for listening and GO YANKEES!

My first Yankee game today

MQAblog — Tue, 11 Apr 2006 13:22:02 -0000

My dad is a diehard Yankee fan and raised me that way too. While he grew up in the Northeast, the family moved to Florida when I was a kid. So I have always cheered the Yankees from afar. But I moved to New York City a few months ago and today a dream will come true. Not only to see a Yankee game - but to be at a home opener. It's like Christmas Day!

With excitment comes anxiety and preparing for the game today was no exception.

Yesterday I bought a little transistor (are they still called that?) radio so I could listen to the game at The Stadium. I have listened to the Yankee radio broadcasts for years - first on distant AM stations and then on line - so to listen while actually at The Stadium is part of this grand Yankee fantasy of mine.

You know portable radios are cheap..most at the store were $5 or $6. But I had to buy the $16 dollar portable radio just to be sure I got a good one. Serves me right. When I got home from work last night I ripped open the radio package and loaded the batteries - the damn thing didn't work.

When I finally admitted that it was the radio not working and not the batteries or my technological difficulty (took a surprisingly long time) I went on a search. We have a lot of "stuff" in the apartment and I just knew there had to be another radio here.

After an hour of digging through boxes in the wee hours of the morning I found one! An old CD Walkman with a radio. Shaking with excitement I loaded the batteries into the devise. (Reminded me of that kid in the Christmas Story loading the BB's into his new gun). Anyway, THAT didn't work either. Needless to say I was a bit frustrated.

So I went to bed last night trying to convince myself that I really didn't want to listen to the radio at the game. I told myself that It would be more authentic to go sans radio so I could take in all the noise and excitement of the live event. Blah, blah blah... The first thing this morning I went back to digging through the boxes.

Sure enough I found a VERY old Cassette Walkman (WOW!) with a working radio!!! Horayyy!

So I have my radio, binoculars, camera, ticket and sunglasses. I even got directions to the stadium and found out it is only a 30 minute walk! Very close (a benefit of living in Harlem). So I am good to go.

The day I have been waiting for all my life has finally arrived. See you at The Stadium. Go Yankees.

more at http://www.MQAblog.com

Epstein resigns as Red Sox GM -- TAKE THE POLL

MQAblog — Mon, 31 Oct 2005 23:42:55 -0000

BOSTON (AP) -- Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein resigned Monday, surprising Boston and the baseball world just one year after he helped build the franchise's first World Series championship team since 1918.

Cashman has good timing signing on a few days ago...George would have undoubtably tried to snag Epstein otherwise. Should He still try?

Poll

In regards to Epstein, the Yankees should

Get him now at any cost and pay out Cashman

1 votes

Talked to him about coming in '07 giving Cashman 1 more year

4 votes

Ignore him and keep Cashman

26 votes

31 votes | Poll has closed

Suggestions

MQAblog — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 19:29:41 -0000

Remove the standings box. Incorrect, out of date and a sad reminder of the past season.
Start a countdown to Spring Training. Might be a bit early but I would rather look ahead than look behind.
Let's get together. I moved to NYC just last week - within sight of Yankee Stadium no less! We are a modest sized blog community - perhaps the right size for an occasional meeting over a cold beer.

Loved the site this year and I am looking forward to keeping track during the off season and into next year!

any other ideas.....?

We are winning! [POLL]

MQAblog — Wed, 21 Sep 2005 07:37:28 -0000

I love it. Full steam ahead. Two or fewer losses and we are likley at least in a playoff for the Playoffs. If we get in then we will go in hot. I like how so many different players are making big contributions. And I hope that whoever was only identifying a certain player only by the Number 13 is now giving the man his due. I am even giving Joe mad props for keeping us in it through all the challenges this year. We can do it. If we do it this year I think it will be the sweetest Championship in a long time.

Maybe since '96. That stands out for me as well as '77. In 1977 I watched the games with my Dad and for the first time we could cheer our team to the top. (DYK?...The '80 was the only decade the Yankees didn't win a World Series). Anyway a World Series victory this year would be sweet indeed.

Do you have a "favorite" Yankees World Series? Tell the poll. I have the last nine WS victories going all the way to 1958. If you go back farther than that then tell us what we missed.

Poll

What was your most 'favorite' NYY World Series?

1958

0 votes

1986

7 votes

1961

0 votes

1998

4 votes

1962

0 votes

1999

0 votes

1977

1 votes

2000

1 votes

None of the below

1 votes

1978

1 votes

15 votes | Poll has closed

Too early to judge Palmero

MQAblog — Sat, 13 Aug 2005 02:22:33 -0000

OK read this carefully.
http://www.mqablog.com/

I agree with President Bush. Yep, you might not see that from me again but when it comes to Rafael Palmero I am going to give them both the benefit of the doubt. President Bush says he doesn't think Palmero took steroids and I don't think so either. Really! First, drug tests are often unreliable. I am guessing that he probably insisted on multiple follow ups but it is still possible that... Viagra caused it!. Palmero has done ads for the product so he obviously uses it - perhaps that (or other aids he has tried) threw the test off. Or maybe... he could have innocently taken some over the counter drug or supplement which contained a trace of something that is prohibited. Like eating a poppy seed bagel and coming up positive for opium. I just don't think Palmero would have lied so blatantly to Congress. I have been watching a lot of sports and EVERYONE is condemning the man. I'm sticking with Bush on this one..innocent until proven guilty. Don't let me down W!! or RP

Torre (POLL)

MQAblog — Wed, 10 Aug 2005 15:33:44 -0000

I won't repeat what I have been posting all year except to say that the Joe Torre era needs to come to an end. I realize this won't happen during the year although, in my opinion it should have been done before the All Star break. Perhaps a consensus between hotheads like me and those with a more patient temperment can be reached.

So the general question is how long should we stick with Joe Torre as manager?

Poll

Torre should be replaced

Only when he decides he wants to leave

14 votes

After his contract ends in 2 years if we haven't won the WS

13 votes

After this year if we don't make the playoffs

11 votes

Right Now

3 votes

41 votes | Poll has closed

What defines a slump?

MQAblog — Fri, 03 Jun 2005 03:37:21 -0000

The Yankees have lost five in a row and it sure feels like a slump. A few weeks ago I wrote about baseball superstitions and told how a gift of three Yankee bracelets set me on a search to find the winning one to wear. My "lucky" bracelet was finally found and we went on a hot streak. That is clearly over.

I told myself that I would adjust my superstition when we hit a slump. Afterall, nothing lasts forever.

But what defines a slump?

Below I listed a few of the definitions I considered. I decided that losing 6 of 10 is a legitimate slump but what you think.

POLL

Poll

What defines a slump?

Losing 6 of 10

3 votes

Winning % last 10 - 25 below season average

0 votes

Loss of 3 or more games in standings (one week)

0 votes

Losing 3 in a row

0 votes

Something else

1 votes

Losing 3 of 4

1 votes

5 votes | Poll has closed