With the ALDS tied at one game a piece, lots of questions have surfaced about how the Yankees will battle for the remainder of the series. Will Girardi drop Alex in the lineup? How about Jeter and Cano? Will they learn how to dive to keep a ball in the infield? Will the team finally get a hit with RISP? All of these questions will be answered soon enough, but there’s one that sparks my interest the most: What kind of playoff atmosphere will there be at the new stadium, AKA The House that Fortune 500 Built?
Call me a ‘purest’, call me ‘nostalgic’, call me whatever you like, but there is no denying the deadzone that new Yankee Stadium has become. The YES Network, WCBS, and every other mainstream media outlet willfully ignore this problem. The MSM has their orders and own agendas. However, we at NoMaas have routinely targeted the sounds of silence often emanating from the Big Ritz-Carlton in the Bronx.
I am lucky enough to attend, on average, about 20 games a year. The things I’ve experienced myself, nevermind the stories I’ve heard from others, are just mind-numbingly dumb and embarrassing.
Everyone knows the ticket and parking prices are out of control, but that’s part of a concerted effort to attract a certain type of clientele. Sure, it is nice not having to piss in the sinks because the line is too long, but if the cost is “packing” the stadium with thousands of sheep doing the wave in a one-run game with the division on the line, then no thanks.
I wonder if any of our loyal readers know about “the captain.” This clown seems to be some type of self-appointed leader of stadium security. Suffice it to say, he takes his job a bit too seriously. You’ll understand what I mean if you ever have the pleasure of running into him. I’m not sure if he roams the entire stadium, but I see him every game I attend in the right field porch area. Find a video of Russell Martin’s reviewed home run against the Red Sox last Friday night, and maybe you can get a good screen shot of “the captain” talking with the kid in the Red Sox jersey who reached over.
“The captain” LOVES warning people not to yell at the opposing players under the threat of being thrown out. Even the bleachers, where women used to flash the crowd regularly back in the day, have been reduced to a library where fans have been warned on several occasions to “quiet down.” REALLY? I know some of our readers doubt this, but tweet @baldvinny, Mr. ‘Right Field Roll Call Bleachers’ himself, and ask him. It’s an absolute joke.
I hate, however, to point out problems without offering some solutions. Some people are of the belief that lowering the prices will bring back “the real fans”. The problem is that most, if not all, of the tickets are being sold — why would the Yankees lower prices? It doesn’t make any sense for them business-wise.
Sure, you can get pretty cheap tickets in the upper deck or maybe even better on the secondary market (which the Yankees get a percentage of too, by the way), but the most expensive seats are being sold to people who would rather sit in one of the premiere clubs than sit in the actual seats they paid for. This is painfully obvious to anyone who watches on TV and sees the loads of empty seats behind home plate.
It wouldn’t matter if they did sit in their actual seats because they would either sit on their hands and leave by the 7th inning, or just talk business with the client they brought to entertain.
So I guess my answer is that I’m still looking for one. The fans really seemed to enjoy that last blowout of the Pawtucket Sox in the regular season finale. Is that what it takes? We’ll see. Take a look back at the mid-to-late 90’s playoffs games (nevermind before my time like in the ’70s) and note the shots of the crowd, especially in big moments. Everyone was there for the same reason. There was a feeling in the building that came through the television.
I’m hoping we can someday get back to that, but I have my doubts. Hopefully, it doesn’t take 15-20 years of losing to get “real fans” back in there and change the culture, but sadly that might be the only way.
Will the new stadium ever have the same atmosphere as the old one? The Bronx Faithful will have their chance again to prove me wrong starting Wednesday night.
60 Comments
Dingus October 9, 2012 22:28
For all your complaining about no home field advantage the Yankees had the best home record in baseball this year and one of the better differentials in home wins vs road wins. So you can whine about the crowd all you want but the players don’t seem to be affected by it.
Biggie Smalls October 10, 2012 09:26
I think you’re missing the point. The Yankees are a very good team, and they’d win a lot of games any any field. Nomaas is talking about the lack of enthusiasm shown by fans at the Stadium. It’s a legit point.
Dingus October 10, 2012 19:08
I won’t deny that the fans at the new YS seem less enthusiastic than the fans at the old YS. I just don’t think it has any tangible effect on the on-field performance. Given the title of the post I feel like the implication was that the different atmosphere at NYS was hurting the team on the field rather than a simple question of what kind of stadium experience you want as a fan.
Impeach John & Suzyn October 10, 2012 13:59
You raise some good points, but you’re WAY overstating the case. 1)The building itself-specifically the recessed tiers-hover over the field less, making it more open, and trapping the sound less. This may make it quieter, but it doesn’t necessarily reflect the noise generated by the fans. 2)For the most part, it’s the same people in the new stadium as the old stadium. People moved around but most, like me, kept the same ticket package in a different location. The only exception are the embarrassingly empty luxury seats around the dugouts, occupied by less fervent fans, but how much of a difference can that make? And anyway – it’s not like those seats went for $20 across the street. 4)People did the wave in the old stadium with the same frequency. It was awful then, as it is now, but I just don’t see it as that different. LEt’s not pretend that back then everyone in the park knew it was a stupid distraction from the actual game & now they don’t.
You also forget to mention a couple other major changes that affect crowd noise, that actually support your point. Like, people today are buried in their cell phones, only half paying attention to the world around them anyway. Yankee fans are, indeed, a little more spoiled with all the winning (or at least postseason appearances). My Orioles fan friends took their kindergarten-age kids to games ending after midnight, because this was their world. For us, it’s just another ALDS. That may be a statement about the fans, but it’s still about FANS. It’s less-passionate fans making less noise, not super-rich wall streeters filling up the park. Finally, and most damnably, this team is, in many ways, hard to root for. It’s a little soulless, a little too clean cut, a little less human. As a kid, rooting for Piniella or Mattingly or O’Neill, I had a sense that these were gritty, hard-working guys that were passionate about their craft. I would yell hi to Dave Winfield during pitching changes, and he’d trun around & wave at me. Not the same with happy-go-lucky pretty boy Swisher or (insert negative adjective here) A-Rod. I hate rooting for A-Rod. It definitely takes the air out of my sails, and it’s going to go on forever. But that’s for another day.
The end point is that while it is definitely a little quieter in the new park, your conclusion that it’s because of the rich guys in box seats is about as stupid and feckless as chanting “Box Seats Suck” from the bleachers. It may make you feel better… but that’s about all it’s good for.
Concise October 11, 2012 00:43
You are not me.
Brandon October 9, 2012 22:41
A big part of it has to do with the team itself. The crowd has got loud as fuck all of the 09 postseason. But afterwards, Cliff Lee has TWICE taken the energy out of the crowd in playoff games, including a World Series opener. First inning homers by Hamilton in 2010, Cabrera in game 2 last year, and Don fucking Kelly and Delmon Young in game 5. Kuroda needs to put up some early zeroes and the offense needs to beat the shit out of this scrub Gonzalez (42.6 fly ball %, 4.38 FIP and 4.63 xFIP).
What everyone is thinking October 9, 2012 22:46
Miguel Gonzalez throws a changeup though. I don’t see how we are going to score.
Brandon October 9, 2012 23:00
Unless I’m reading fangraphs wrong, the only guys that are above average against the changeup are Cano, Swisher, Chavez, A-Rod, and Tex, but that’s all middle of the order guys. Rather see Eric starting at DH or 3B and have Ibanez come off the bench
Cliff Lee's Wife October 10, 2012 01:19
Cliffie may have taken energy out of stadium crowds before, but I have tired HIM out countless times… if you know what I mean. *brandishes whip*
Dandy the Mustachioed Mascott October 10, 2012 10:24
I would agree that a lot of it has to do with the current product. For a stretch this team was boring and unwatchable. With the piss poor hitting in risp the games were getting very predictable. I still watched, but the only noise I would be making if I could be at the game would be shouting expletives after bases loaded with no out yields no runs. From the stories here, it looks like that would have gotten me kicked out. I remember during Russel’s HR Ken Singleton was saying the red sox fan deserved to stay because he didn’t reach over the fence. Does anyone know if he ended up getting thrown out?
Wade Garrett October 10, 2012 11:52
I mentioned that cause I was there, in that section actually. They let him stay after the home was upheld. He was this corny dude trying to be funny in front of his girlfriend and starting taking bows and saying “your welcome” to everyone but they came over to him right away and told him to stop inciting and he didn’t say another word the rest of the game. Par of the course.
RAB Winner October 9, 2012 22:48
Seriously, the shirtsey crowd is getting pushed out. I now own 6 shirtseys. I get RAB’s hand me downs.
A jerk October 9, 2012 22:50
Miguel Gonzalez will stifle us again at Yankee Stadium. He did it twice late in the season hence why Buck has him starting game 3 there. If we lose game 3 the crowd will be oblivious to what’s going to happen in game 4. I hate to say it but we could be fucked come 11:15pm tomorrow night. Proper fucked come the top of the 1st of game 4.
Hal Steinbrenner October 9, 2012 22:59
Under a Romney Presidency, many more of my friends will be able to afford tickets thanks to his generous tax breaks.
Mitt October 10, 2012 09:39
I get to debate an empty chair again.
Goldman Sachs October 10, 2012 09:41
We were the largest corporate donor to Obama’s campaign in 2008.
Thumbs down all you want October 10, 2012 12:07
It’s 100% true.
Fatshithead October 9, 2012 23:22
Do you want them to hand out RALLY TOWELS?
Baby October 10, 2012 01:20
RALLY DIAPERS
Brett Pedroia October 10, 2012 08:34
I’ll take three!
RAB Winner October 9, 2012 23:37
They should hand out shirtseys.
jjyank October 10, 2012 01:22
I borrow Plouffy’s shirtseys all the time! We cuddled last night after having a deep, in depth discussion about the 6th Harry Potter movie. We missed you, R Tils <3
The Blocked Truth October 9, 2012 23:55
I will take the $35 to park there, the $13 in tolls and the expensive food any day just to bring back the old crowd. Or at least bring back the old stadium. There was nothing wrong with it and things were cheaper before the move. I was never happy with it before it was gone and I leave unimpressed every time I go there. Such a shame.
Nick Swisher October 10, 2012 00:04
Gee, I wonder who said this an hour ago on twitter?
“There’s nothing quite as knuckleheaded as the implication that “real fans” don’t have money. Wealthy? Not a true fan.”
I guess it’s more that just Cashman who reads NoMaas.
Don't leave us hanging October 10, 2012 00:38
Who said it?
Conan the Librarian October 10, 2012 09:28
One of the writers at RiverAveBlues. First of all, he completely missed the message of the article. Second, how can anyone deny that the vibe at the Stadium has changed dramatically?
Joe Pawl October 10, 2012 17:22
Keep in mind this is coming from the same group of idiots who tweet complaining (hypocritically) about fat people on treadmills.
Nick Swisher October 10, 2012 18:43
There is no doubt that the vibe has changed. And you’re right, he missed the point of the article completely. It’s about HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE not “real” fandom.
Nick Swisher October 10, 2012 18:40
The Editor-In-Chief of RAB no less.
manhattan born October 10, 2012 00:28
I went to 15 – 20 games a year from 1984 – 1999. After the 6th inning you could count on fights breaking out in every other section. I’m not for violence but this was a testimony to the type of fans (hard labor, working-class) that were invested in going to a game and rooting for the Yankees even when they were down by 3 runs. I also believe the expectation of the team coming out of every spring training knowing the playoffs are practically a lock has taken a lot of the juice out of the fan. We won the division and Jeter didn’t even break a smile.
Call me Crazy October 10, 2012 14:01
The first game I remember going to was June 8th, 1986. My dad was really excited about taking me to a game at the stadium and he sprung for pretty decent seats on the first base line on bat day.
The Yankees got killed by the Orioles that day to close out a series sweep. In the 7th inning when things really started to get out of control (with 25,000 full size baseball bats in the stands) my parents didn’t feel safe keeping us there any longer and we had to leave. It was one of my most disappointing childhood memories.
I’m all for an electric stadium atmosphere – and I’ve been to games at the new stadium that have been electric, but they’re less common than they were at the old stadium – but if bringing back the type of crowd that would rather hit an Oriole fan with a bat than cheer and jeer loudly is your definition of the right “type of fans”, I don’t want to go to your stadium.
Leather Bound Books October 10, 2012 02:23
I used to be a baseball first kind of guy, but with the stadium having become this embarrassment, I find myself caring more about the GMen these days. And that was already before the last Super Bowl, yeah.
Skyrim October 10, 2012 17:23
I used to be a baseball first kinda guy. Then I took an arrow to the knee.
Limo driver October 10, 2012 06:24
That chick in the picture looks like she played defensive line for ten years with those knees.
i don't get it? October 10, 2012 06:37
what’s wrong with those knees?
Irate at ARod fan October 10, 2012 06:53
I scream at the TV in my house about ARod hitting in the 3 hole, does that count?
The Truth October 10, 2012 08:06
After watching the Oakland crowd last night I am envious of what we used to have. Honestly I was at a Red Sox game in July & was told I would be ejected for saying bad things to the Red Sox. What Happened to us? Fuck these I-Phone using fans who have no concept of what it means to be a fan.
Tradenickswisher October 10, 2012 11:41
I was there in the second to last homestand. I was actually told during a yankee rally that I needed to sit but security. When I challenged security they threatened to throw me out. It really is a joke. I used to attend 40 games or so a year in the old place before ticket prices even there became out of control. I have never been told during a rally that we can not stand up and cheer.
Buck October 10, 2012 13:32
Rowdy fans would be disrespectful to Flanny.
27 Rings October 10, 2012 16:22
Chavez at 3B and ARod DHing. No Ibanez tonight.
real fan October 10, 2012 16:22
its an embarrassment, to be honest it really started in 98, it was just a lot less intense then now. Back then you could see the wall street crowd coming in that didnt know shit about the game, but now to actually have them tell you not to boo is ridiculous. If this was the real yankees fanbase I would hate them too. 95 and 96 was the last time the stadium was 100 percent pure
manhattan born October 11, 2012 00:07
1998 was pure. I was there 50 games. Your memory is foggy. It got dumb starting in 2002. By 2004 it was a circus with adding Sheff and ARod.
real fan October 11, 2012 18:04
youre confusing the team being pure with the fanbase. It was a low percentage but 98 was when they started to really draw and that means casual fans
Been There Done That October 10, 2012 16:54
Look I’ve been all around both the old stadium and the new and here’s the deal. The old Stadium configuration did seem to trap more noise in the upper deck. In the new, if you are in the upper tier (especially under the friese) it can be quiet. BUT I have been in both stadiums down low and when the house is rocking, the house is rocking noise wise. I sat in the seats behind the moat on the third base side during the 2009 ALCS and it was very loud at times. Perhaps not as loud as it once was, but still pretty loud. The visual difference is on TV. All you see are the barcalounger seats half filled or with somewhat reserved people sitting in them. That image is what everyone sees. And for empty seats, just go back and look at some of the tape from the 80s and early 90s when Mattingly and O’Neill were hitting HRs into an empty right field upper deck.
humm October 10, 2012 17:14
Is that you, Mr. Bradley?
manhattan born October 11, 2012 00:44
That’s my point! The AROD SHEF years brought in the once unthinkable 4 million fans a year.
Jim Leyritz's Cellmate October 10, 2012 18:22
I just want to watch a game and hear a stadium wide, semi-vulgar chant come clearly through my speakers again. Is that so much to ask?
Boston Sucks! October 11, 2012 02:18
Clearly you didn’t notice me during the last series of the regular season.
Jim Leyritz's Cellmate October 11, 2012 12:26
The Boston series was pretty sweet.
I’m a big fan of “Cody Ross is a Horse’s Ass”
mike axvisa October 10, 2012 19:37
I fuck my bitches gangway style ….
Al Queda October 10, 2012 21:06
Sterling , Waldman , Feinsand -all I know about baseball is listening to these three Jews !!
Allah Akhbar !!!
Guy in the black jacket October 10, 2012 21:43
Almost cost Chavez the out… this is the type of fan you get in the new stadium…
has no business being at a major league game… has no clue…
Boston Sucks! October 11, 2012 02:19
Absolutely. That was fucking terrible, and the shithead on Swisher’s ball was just as bad. Stop preening in your Jeter jersey and put the fucking ball in his glove, you pansy.
Raul Ibanez October 10, 2012 22:28
Two words:
BEAST MODE!!!
Nick Social October 10, 2012 23:39
Yeah, he is!
Miguel Gonzalez October 10, 2012 23:30
I am nobody. Any team that can’t pound the piss out of me is nothing and won’t go anywhere.
Raul Ibanez October 10, 2012 23:52
I disrespected the SHIT out of Flanny tonight!
Knoxvillian October 11, 2012 00:28
What…the Yankees won tonight?!!? Doesn’t matter. I’ll still find something to moan and bitch about.
The Blocked Truth October 11, 2012 00:46
Almost an hour later and still no update on here. That pretty much is disrespectful to Flanny
Poop October 11, 2012 11:48
I agree completely. But for change to be prompted Yankees fans must go the way of Dodgers fans: quit coming to games. Unless we affect their pocketbook, they won’t care.