Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Yankees Officials to Fans: Mi casa NO es su casa

Forget the 0-5 start against the Red Sox. Brush aside Teixiera's batting average is riding on the interstates and Sabathia has only notched one victory. Even try to put aside that the third basemen, catcher, 8th inning guy, utility infielder, and number two starter are all on the Disabled List. Let's strictly talk about how utterly disgraceful Yankees' stadium personnel has been in breaking in their new home.

In the interest of full disclosure, I was one of the many trapped inside Yankee Stadium Monday night debating whether to wait out the rain delay or not. Like any informed fan should do, I waited for official word announced over the loud speakers. Many people were not so patient and decided to take their cues from team employees. They were left standing out in the rain when the game got under way. As you might imagine, they were not thrilled and caused quite a stir leaving one police offer hospitalized after a run in with a disorderly female fan. Whether fans were told the game would not be played by these employees or not, it has been clear at every point in their history that you will not be admitted for re-entry.

Despite being on the Yankees side for this one controversial issue, their stadium personnel has been generally despicable. The Yankees employ an absurd amount of ushers to guard over their higher paying customers. If you wish to even visit a friend in another section, do not expect to get anywhere near them. I have no problems with ensuring that people do not steal other people's seats, but the extreme measures they take is a severe disservice to other paying customers. And will someone please explain to me why, if someone has left the game for good, why it is a Class A felony to allow someone to move in to said unoccupied seat? Is it costing the Yankees anything? As I discussed with my buddy Matt at Monday night's game, such a move would probably only be beneficial. Especially in the seats with a wait staff, they may able to sneak a few extra hundred or thousand in concession sales by allowing for such moves.

While many things have bugged me over my first few trips to the Stadium, it wasn't until I read about how they mishandled a beloved former player and his wife. Yankee great Paul O'Neill was asked not to stand around the cage during batting practice, despite you know, being a television broadcaster who needs to see these things AND a part of the "family". Then, his wife was not allowed access to the "wives lounge" because her husband wasn't on the current roster. I know these things seem trivial, but to see how unwelcoming they are even to the most important members of the family, it's scary to think about what the future holds for those of us on the lower part of the totem pole.

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