I made the trip with two of my friends up to New York to see the Reds play in Yankee stadium in its last year. We only saw Friday's game but it was probably the best baseball game I've ever been to. Don't get me wrong, I hate the Yanks as much as anyone else, but seeing a game there is amazing. Down 4-1 late in the game and every Yankee fan in the stadium is on their feet. Here at Great American Ballpark, the Reds are lucky to fill half the stadium, and if the Reds are losing bad in the late goings, fans find beating traffic more important than giving their team the homefield advantage. Mere singles in Yankee stadium prompt a deafening cheer, and any controversial call (there were quite a few Friday night) would make any umpire fear for his life after the game.
Another good thing about Yankee stadium is the complete lack of all the bells and whistles that are so popular in newer ballparks. Sounds effects like broken glass after a foul ball into the stands cheapens the experience of watching a professional baseball game. The unity of fans' cheers and an organ are all the audio you need at a ballgame aside from the crack of a bat and an umpire's loud strikeout call.
This also prompts a discussion of mascots: why? There are better ways to get a crowd into the game than have a furry creature dancing on the dugouts and making an ass out of itself, not to mention the actual, presumably self-loathing human being sweating to death inside of the creature. Mr. Red is fine, use him as a logo on some shirts or something, but Gapper has to go. Take Gapper and the Pepsi cheerleaders or whatever and replace it with some quality baseball and I guarantee the seats at Great American Ballpark will be filled. I realize this is easier said than done. Yankees fans are spoiled with good baseball because of how much money they have, but give it a year or two and Cincinnati's top-notch farm system will produce a winning team, and I don't just mean above .500. Then GABP will fire Gapper, get rid of the sound effects, and if the kids at the ballpark are upset after losing a creature that belongs on Barney, build them a sandbox like in San Diego.
Also, how about Arroyo's start last night? Two hours into the game and the Reds were on defense for all but 15 minutes of it. The rockstar didn't record an out in the second inning. Anyone interested?
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
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6 comments:
I saw the Reds/Yankees game on Sunday (of course the only game my Reds lost that series). I agree that the lack of annoying sounds and mascots was nice. I loathe the Yankees, but I do respect their adherence to tradition.
Nice blog, I'll be visiting more often.
Sorry, logged in the wrong account. Check out my blog for my impressions of my Yankee Stadium trip if you get a chance. I've added your blog to my blog roll as well.
Glad to hear you had a good time at Yankee's Stadium. Being in the Bronx with all the Yankee fans is quite the experience--one I am sure you will retell to many friends. I agree that the creepy Barney like mascots have got to go. I suppose it is to attract a new generation of baseball fans but come on, there are better ways.
Anyways I work for an online PR company that is currently promoting Life Changing Box. It is a Facebook game that gives users the ability to win prizes like a paid trip to NYC plus baseball tickets (hint, hint). Its worth a try for all baseball fans. Best of luck!
Hells yea! gapper sucks and so do those stupid noises. although watching old men look at pepsi cheerleaders dancing on the dugout is kind of hilarious if you get past the whole "gross, thats jailbait, old man river" thing. good blog ya blogger!
I'm bummed I couldn't accompany you guys to the game. Anyway, it sounds like Yankee Stadium has its shit together...but what do you mean Gapper has to go? A fuzzy, ambiguous, non-threatening, bright red "creature" is the true embodiment of soul and passion in the game of baseball, right?
Anyway, I'd prefer any horrible mascot to the billboards that most Major League ballparks have become. Cheapening, indeed.
Lastly, I'd like to comment on Arroyo, and I'll keep it brief. Maybe the guy should spend less time brushing/highlighting his hair and recording horrible bullshit radio promos for JTM and get back to beisbol, no?
Tyler
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