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 Other clubs may have fountains or picnic areas behind the center field fence; the Yankees have a park dedicated to some of the greatest players in baseball history. Photo by AP |
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There are plenty of locations where fans can make sure the Yankees remain baseball's wealthiest team; average number of restrooms (47); better-than average amount of wheelchair-accessible seating available (680 seats) throughout the park, from behind home plate to the bleachers; a number of members-only restaurants; not much for the kids aside from the action on the field and the occasional action in the stands when a Red Sox fan foolishly cheers for his team. |
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| Amid the smell of sausages and pretzels on the street, the sound of the No. 4 train rattling on the tracks above and the bustle of throngs of New Yorkers and tourists, the electricity at Yankee Stadium is palpable -- no matter if it's a Tuesday in April or a Game 7 in October. Get to the stadium early and check out Monument Park beyond the left field fence, where you can pay your respects to some of the greatest players in Yankees (and baseball) history. Then head to the concessions stand, where, although the prices are expensive, the Italian sausage and peppers sandwich can still be had for $6.50 (it's worth every penny). The fans are loud and pushy, the employees usually not very helpful and the in-game programming (which includes the ground crew's YMCA dance routine and faux scoreboard yokel "Cotton-Eyed Joey") has varied little during the last 10 years. But once you see that white cornice framing the stadium and hear Bob Sheppard's familiar voice over the loudspeakers, you realize that you've stepped into a piece of history. -- David Sabino
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This wasn't once home to the Bronx Zoo for nothing. Described, charitably, as dodgy, this area of the Bronx bustles on game day. Old bars such as Stan's and The Yankee Tavern are usually packed to the gills both pre- and post-game. Because the Yankees have barred backpacks, briefcases and large bags from the park since Sept. 11, fans would be wise to use the costly bag checks available at multiple shops in the area. Of course, everything around here is expensive, but to walk into the ballpark surrounded by a sea of rowdy Yankee fans is to experience the vibe that makes New York so intoxicating (or otherworldly, depending on your point of view). -- David Sabino
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2005 Record: 74-56 (all statistics through Aug. 29)
Players worth the price of admission: All-Stars litter the roster, led by Derek Jeter (.312 average, 14 HRs, 53 RBIs), Alex Rodriguez (.320, 39 HRs, 104 RBIs, 12 SBs), Mariano Rivera (34 saves, 1.44 ERA), Gary Sheffield (.295, 27 HRs, 99 RBIs), Randy Johnson (12-8, 4.20 ERA ... You get the idea.
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Like New York City, Yankee Stadium is a bit large and impersonal. But also like the city, it has a buzz about it that can't be found anywhere else. Twenty-seven World Series titles and the real possibility that anyone in the park could be fired on any night will do that.
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