I remember where I was when I found out I would be going to the new Yankees stadium.
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| Our seats on the third base line |
I was at a water park in Seaside Heights with my family and some friends. My dad called my mom and she handed the phone to me. He told me he got two tickets from my cousin who couldn't use them. I was excited to go, obviously.
I was, and still am, a longtime Yankees fan. I've been to the old Yankees Stadium, as told by my parents. But, I was too young to remember it. The only thing I remember is sitting in the top levels, higher than nosebleeds, looking straight down to the field.
This time, this time was much more memorable.
Before getting to the stadium, my dad and I bought subs (hoagies for those in other parts of the country), snacks and drinks to bring into the stadium. Yes, you can bring outside food into the most expensive MLB park, as long as it's in a clear plastic bag. It's a lot cheaper.
My parents grew up in the city. My dad drove up to the stadium, navigating the crowded streets of New York. That's something I wouldn't be able to do. I'm a good driver, but I don't have the patience or aggressiveness to go through the city.
We finally parked, in a lot across from the stadium. I try to park in a lot not too close, it's usually cheaper. We got into the stadium and my jaw dropped. Just the sheer size of it was amazing. This was the first season of the new stadium. The concourse is wide enough to fit a truck. There are banners hanging around, gourmet restaurants, anything you can think of this stadium has it.
We walked around and, since we were early, we decided to go to Monument Park. Now, my dad is a die-hard Mets fan, but he loves the game. He knows all of the legends, from any team. Just seeing the importance and legacy of these players was humbling. Going through all the plaques and statues and quotes, it was a lot to take in.
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| The legend, Derek Jeter |
In my second trip to the stadium, in 2014, my mom and I visited the Yankees museum. It's another memorial, but with a lot more memorabilia. There are signed baseballs, old uniforms, broken bats, trophies, rings. This, I think, is better than Monument Park.
Anyway, after all that, we got to our seat. We were sitting a few rows behind the third base dugout. These were the comfiest stadium seats I've ever sat my butt in. I've never sat this close in a professional field before.
I don't remember much of the game, again, it was seven years ago, but the Yankees lost to the Texas Rangers, 7-2. Ian Kinsler hit two home runs and Chris Davis (yes, that Chris Davis) hit one as well.
I went back to Yankee Stadium two more times after this, they lost both times. Those times, I purchased my tickets through ScoreBig.com. That's where I've purchased all of my baseball tickets. I'm not a paid spokesperson. They have really good deals for a fraction of the price.
If you are on this journey too, you need to make Yankee Stadium a top priority. It's more than a baseball stadium, it's a New York City landmark.
