Monday, December 2, 2013

The Yankee Stadium Experience - Part Six: Exploring Outside the Stadium

PART SIX: Exploring Outside the Stadium

While visiting the New Yankee Stadium, you may want to partake in the scene outside the stadium.  There are several establishments to help you "prepare" for the big or small game for a lot cheaper than the food and beverages inside the frieze-laden Bronx behemoth. On top of the eateries, bars, and sidewalk vendors, there are several locales that thrive during the baseball season by selling everything Yankees from t-shirts to toothbrushes.

Here is a list of my Top Ten Jaunts to visit before AND after the Yankees Game:

#10 The local hot dog / bratwurst vendor...it really doesn't matter which stand you stop by...you MUST get at minimum a hot dog from one of these vendors...at least before NYC makes it illegal to do that too.  You will also find all kinds of street vendors selling bottled water for a buck or a bag of peanuts for $2-$3.  If it's a hot day, that ice-cold water goes down mightily smooth and the peanuts inside the Stadium will cost you $6 minimum.

#9 Billy's Sports Bar...856 River Avenue..not usually as crowded as a bar that will be later in the countdown, but another place to visit for food and spirits before heading into the Stadium.  The layout is rather large so it is quite easy to get a beer.
Large bar with wide open spaces...Billy's Sports Bar
 #8 Stadium Pizza...86 E 161st...I know, I know...all I ever talk about is food, but come on, as I've said before you can't live without it!  Some of the best pizza around.  Nevermind the scandal in 2012 which supposedly had the the waitresses and bartenders offering up "sextra" toppings.  But to be on the safe side, just order the Pepperoni Deep Dish...
Stick to the 1-Topping Pizza and you'll be fine.
#7 Pinstripe Collectibles...920 River Avenue...this place has a wide array of jerseys, t-shirts for men, women, and children, and all kinds of Yankees knick-knacks to take home with you.  Places like this are hopping after a win, so if you like to take your time to peruse and make economical decisions make sure to head over there before a game.
Check out that jersey selection! Whoa--Johnny Damon!
#6 The Bronx Terminal Market...610 Exterior Street...I've never actually been to the new megaplex shopping center that was part of the Bronx development deal struck to get a New Yankee Stadium, but I hear it is a pretty cool place to shop.  So if you have to convince someone of the female gender to go with you to the game, you may want to dangle this monstrosity of shopping out there as something to do beforehand.

#5 Your Average Street Merchandise Vendor...everywhere...as much as I like supporting the New York Yankees, there are hundreds of street vendors around the Stadium with quality merchandise including t-shirts, hats, and memorabilia that you can support for much less than what you can find inside the Stadium.  Just beware of people selling stuff out of bags...it is probably stolen goods!

#4 Heritage Field...right across from the stadium, where the OLD Yankee Stadium used to sit.  You might not be able to get on the field to throw the ball around...then again you might! But this is a must-visit for the avid Yankees fan.  Local baseball teams get to play on the field, so if you are local, you might want to check out a high school or little league game there sometime.  There are still ghosts walking on the field...you can almost feel it!  I made this #4 in honor of Lou Gehrig, who I'm sure is still walking there.
Heritage Park...formerly Yankee Stadium
#3 Modell's Sporting Goods...Okay, so this sports giant isn't located near the Stadium, but it is a GREAT place to buy jerseys of your favorite players.  My personal favorite location is the outlet store at the Jersey Gardens in Elizabeth, NJ where I have bought 3 or 4 jerseys including a pretty sweet Cooperstown Collection Mattingly jersey...even though Cooperstown doesn't seem to want Mattingly in the Hall.  Gotta go to Mo's!
The Original Modell's on Cortlandt St in Manhattan
  #2 Stan's Sports Bar...836 River Avenue...a perfect spot to grab a drink or three prior to the game and and absolute blast after any Yankee victory!  There won't be much space to move around, but the atmosphere after a win will negate your lack of elbow room.  Make sure to head on over to Stan's after a win and cheer for a Red Sox loss if they are on the West Coast.
The One and Only Stan's!
#1 The Yankee Tavern...72 E 161st...my personal pre-grame favorite.  There are plenty of televisions to enjoy other games or sports and the service staff is very friendly...probably because most of the staff seem to be related to the owner and have a personal stake in the business.  They sell Bud Light and Budweiser in the specialty tin cans that stay cold a refreshingly long time if you are wanting to burn away an hour or so and just relax before heading into the Stadium for all of the excitement.  According to some of my family members their "Chowda" is pretty damn good as well.  A trip to the tavern won't break the bank either...you can get several meals for under $7 and leave feeling full...well, at least until the 3rd inning.
Yankee Tavern...before every Game!


Yankees Coaching Staff Notes


Just a couple minor notes from the Yankees coaching staff in the organization:

Pro Scout Rick Williams has left the New York Yankees organization for an opportunity in the same role for the Atlanta Braves. Williams and Braves GM Frank Wren have been friends for quite some time now as they used to play baseball together and both spent time with the Florida Marlins in their organization so the deal makes sense for both sides. Williams was said to scout potential pitching pick ups at the trading deadline and since we haven't done much of that lately I guess this won't be the biggest of losses.

AA Trenton Thunder hitting coach Justin Turner is not coming back for the 2014 for an undisclosed reason. Usually do not hear about these things after a team wins a championship but maybe this is for personal reasons or reasons that better Mr. Turners career and life. Marcus Thames, the guy that hit that home run off of Randy Johnson, is currently the High A Tampa Yankees hitting coach and is likely to get the job.

Brendan Ryan Deal Becomes Official


The deal between Brendan Ryan and the New York Yankees is official with the announcement today and Ryan being added to the 40 man roster. The 40 man currently sits at 39 after the Chris Stewart trade as we wait for Brian McCann to officially become a Yankee and steal that last spot. Ryan signed a deal for two years worth $4 million with a club option for a third year and another $2 million. If the club option is declined then Ryan has a $1 million players option for 2016 for an overall AAV of $2 million $1.67 million. Ryan will be the ultimate insurance policy for Derek Jeter and will be a Yankees short stop for at least the next two seasons.

Yankees Sign Russ Canzler To A Minor League Deal


The New York Yankees have announced that they have signed Russ Canzler to a minor league deal with an invite to Spring Training. If this name sounds familiar it is because last season we signed Canzler only to designate him for assignment later. This time he will not require a 40 man roster spot so the stock piling of minor league infield depth continues. I am actually pretty excited about this because the guy can hit and has to be given a shot eventually one would think. Canzler kills lefties, albeit at AAA, and plays primarily first base and left field but has also seen some time at third base as well. He gives us unlimited flexibility and roster depth and saves money, considered me extremely excited much like I was last year when we signed him and almost brought him back.

Yankees Make Offer To Hiroki Kuroda

The New York Yankees have made a one year offer to free agent starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda worth a reported $15-$16 million. The money figure isn't exact but this is the speculated ballpark for him as well as a guess with the years at this point. Either way the Yankees seem interested in bringing the 39 year old back for at least one more tour in Yankees pinstripes for 2014 and we sure need him.

Target Field Will Not Help Homer Prone Phil Hughes

Katron.org has a really awesome tool where you can look at every home run that, say, Phil Hughes gave up in 2013 and see how he would have done in another park, say Target Field in Minnesota. Above is that exact depiction where the little blue dots are home runs that left Yankee Stadium using the dimensions of Target Field. As you can see not a single home run that Hughes gave up in 2013 in Yankee Stadium would have stayed in Target Field. So please put to rest all the talk that Target Field will help Homer Hughes and his fly ball problem because it won't. Thank you and have a great Cyber Monday.

Pirates On Verge Of Dealing For Chris Stewart

UPDATE: The deal is for cash considerations or a player to be named later for New York and Stewart heading to the Pirates. Deal is done. Adios Stewy.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are on the verge of acquiring Chris Stewart from the New York Yankees according to Buster Olney of ESPN. This continues the path from New York to Pittsburgh that also includes Russell Martin, AJ Burnett, Ross Ohlendorf, Jeff Karstens, and another hundred guys I am probably forgetting. The important part is we got something for Chris Stewart and that is a blessing right there.

Happy Birthday Gary Sanchez


Happy Birthday to one of our small army of catchers on the 40 man roster El Gary Sanchez. Sanchez turns 21 years old today and was recently added to the 40 man roster to be protected from the Rule 5 draft. I hope Sanchez has a great birthday and is ready for the next step in 2013. Happy Birthday Gary!

Being: Mariano Final Game Mariano Rivera Yankee Stadium

The Greedy Pinstripes have a new friend, Eddie Matta, who has given us permission to share some of his video from his "Where Are They Now" page on YouTube. Thank you to Eddie and we will play catch up over this week seeing some of his stuff here on the blog. Thanks again to Mr. Matta and I hope you enjoy the Being Mariano during his final MLB game at Yankee Stadium.

This Day In New York Yankees History 12/2


Remember two days ago when Jackie Robinson called the Yankees racist for not having a black player on their team? Well on this day in 1952 Jackie was told that Commissioner Ford Frick planned to take action against him. Jackie could not catch a break back then for anything.