With 4 home runs, the Yankees take the last game of the series.

We took the time to visit Monument Park today, before the game. This is a zoom view from our seats.

While we were at a bowling alley, drinking a beer before the game, we ran into this nice couple from Lyndhurst, Oh. Bob and Lynn came out for the weekend to see the Indians/Yankees game, then catch a few shows on Broadway. Bill adopted the roll of NY ambassador, showing them around, telling them the history of Yankee Stadium, as well as stories of the men honored in Monument Park.

Bill has great seats, as you can see. Next year ticket prices may double, squeezing out many of the middle-class ticket holders, so Bill probably won't be going to as many games. It's a shame that the die-hard fans are losing out to corporations, but I guess that's the American way.

Tom and Linda were at the game too. Tom had a few more questions, "Who would you rather have, Casey Blake, or Robert Blake?" It was an excellent game, with the Bombers taking an early lead, then the Tribe catching up. Later they just kept jacking those baseballs into the stands, winning 6-3.

After the game, we stopped at The Yankee Tavern for a few beers. I have never been in a bar that was so crowded before. It was, literally, wall to wall people. Many Yankee fans congratulated me on the performance of our team (like I had anything to do with that), and I was happy to have attended the ballgame. It's not every day you see 4 home runs in a ballgame.

Cliff Lee goes 6-0

Freddy Sez is a local celebrity around Yankee Stadium. Bill tells me that Freddy is the unofficial mascot.

Below, Pete is looking for a practice ball for me. He promised, before we left for the game, that he'd get one. Bill and I stood there for a few minutes, but then left to let the kids get in there. While we were there, we saw the guy in the white shirt/blue tie make a barehanded catch, then hand the ball to his daughter. Many of the Yankee fans wanted to sign him up! Pete is wearing the blue/white pinstripe cap. It's the cap that the Yankee's farm team in the Dominican Republic players wear.



Pete delivered on his promise. He caught that one while the Indian's were conducting their batting practice.

The Tribe won tonight, 3-0. It was an excellent game, both offensively, and defensively, with several good catches by the outfield. I never count the Bombers out until the last strike, because we Clevelander's know the damage they have done to us in the past.

I can't account for the goofy look on my face, but at least Bill looks good. It was cool enough out that I got to wear the jacket I brought with me.

A debt retired

As promised, Bill posed in front of Yankee Stadium, wearing a Cleveland Indian's hat, per our bet. I never doubted that he'd keep up his end of the bargain, but it was great to be there and take the picture myself.

Here we are in the Yankee Tavern. I received a somewhat cool reception by some of the patrons there, but the bartenders were friendly (once they knew I was from Cleveland, and not NY). We chatted with a couple of Yankee's fans up from North Carolina, and a sheet metal worker who had been working on the new Yankee's Stadium:

It's a beautiful ballpark, built with limestone, and with a nod to the old stadium, the facade across the top.

Below is a picture of Bill with two of his friends who regularly go to Yankee games, Tom, and Linda. Tom is the master of the "What would you rather have...?" question, such as "Shawn, who would you rather have, Derek Jeter, or Bo Derek?" Of course the answer to that one is Bo Derek. I asked him "Tom, what would you rather have, Derek Jeter, or an oil derrick?" and he chose Jeter. Though Linda kept trying to get me to get on a train to who knows where, she did lead us back to the subway.

Then Tom took a picture of Bill and I at the game.

The Indian's won the first game of the series, five to two. Tonight Cliff Lee (5-0) matches up against Chien-Ming Wang (6-0). It should be a great game of pitching. If our batters can make some offense happen, I feel Cliff can keep the Yanks from scoring.

Jones Beach

It was a warm, sunny day, so Bill and I went out to Jones Beach. We're hoping the rest of the week is as nice as today was. Then we had lunch at a local pub, drank a few beers, and spent the afternoon talking about old Navy times. We didn't get too crazy with the beer, because Bill had to pick up his son from school, then take him to baseball practice.

Bill is a die-hard Yankee's fan. I've never seen so much sports paraphernalia in my life. He's got Yankee floor mats, keychain, pajamas, cell-phone, I mean, the list is endless.

The games start tomorrow! It's going to be fun!

Greetings from New York!

Yesterday, Bill took me to The City, aka Manhattan. I imagined King Kong swinging from the spire at the top of the Empire State Building as we drove by.

That's the Brooklyn Bridge behind me, and deeper in the background is the Manhattan Bridge.



Here is Bill and his family. Pete, who's almost 14, and nearly grown, was gracious enough to wear the Indian's hat I had sent to Bill last year. Well, he wore it until we visited The Yankee's Store. After that, Chief Wahoo got stuffed in a pocket and Pete sported a newer Yankee hat. His wife Beth is a real sweetheart. These were taken at the South Street Seaport, which is on the East River.

We spent some time enjoying the sun and view, then headed to The Village for something to eat, and drink. The Pour House was packed, but we found seats at Around the Clock. We visited St. Marks place, then stopped at Veniero's bakery for some cannoli before going home.