Opened: April 16, 2009
Capacity: 47,422
New Yankee Stadium
The problem for me here is that the Yankees come to Baltimore three times a year so if I want to see them I just go down there (the same can be said for the Mets). Despite being only about 3 1/2 hours away from my house I really have not spent a lot of time here.
How did I get there?
Took I-78 and then hit I-80 to go over the George Washington Bridge. I picked a holiday weekend to head up, this was Labor Day weekend, and they were playing a matinée against the Orioles so why not? I found a surface lot about a half mile from the stadium for $25. Considering the cost of parking at other stadiums that wasn’t too bad and this is New York City after all. The site of the old stadium is now a park. The diamond is still there and an adult league was playing a game. There are also little markings in the sidewalk that mark important events that took place at the old stadium. That was neat.
Ticket prices
Just like the old stadium I was expecting to be gouged but turned out not to be. Sat in the upper deck down the left field line for about $20. I am sure the lower deck seats are much more expensive but there was also room there to stand and I had no problem moving down there later in the game. The only thing that was overpriced was the game program. The going rate is $5 but the Yankees charge $10. That must be how they can afford their payroll lol.
Finding my seat and amenities
I made a major mistake and forgot about visiting Monument Park. I was there early enough and I regret that. Guess I’ll need to head back at some point. I would imagine that you could find anything that you wanted here, especially in the lower level. The upper level seemed to be more regular stadium fare. The souvenir cup had a nice holographic image of the stadium, it’s one of the nicer cups if not the nicest that I have.
In game experience
This seemed to be the standard game experience, I can’t remember anything that stuck out to me but a Medal of Honor winner was in attendance and was honored. The Yankees were mediocre that year so the crowd was not really into the game but Ivan Nova was dominant. The Orioles were good that year and a number of Oriole fans made the trip up.
Getting out
I’ll admit it, I don’t really know my way around New York City too well, especially the Bronx. I left in the middle of the 8th to try to beat traffic. The lot I was parked in was perfectly situated to get to the Major Deegan and onto the George Washington Bridge so getting out was not as difficult as expected. Traffic getting to the bridge was another matter but the Yankees have no control over that. This was also I believe right before Bridgegate.
Wrap
I would rather come back here than ever set foot in Fenway Park again. That being said returning here is not a priority. If I want to see the Yankees I’ll wait for them to come to Baltimore and see them with much less of a price tag. Another thing, the Bronx has a reputation but I found the area around the stadium to be extremely clean and new and the streets were tree-lined with plenty of light poles.