A big “thanks” goes out to the LIRR and their fiascos and them nearly keeping us away from this game. I’ve complained before about how the transportation from Shea is being handled this year (as in not being handled well), and it seems that not much is different at other times of the day. My friends and I were meeting at a station to take an 9am-ish train. About 15 minutes before it was supposed to leave, I started hearing announcements that the train is delayed because of “mumble mumble mumble”. In other words the beginning part was totally clear, but once it got to the reason for the delay it was like the adults in Charlie Brown – unintelligible. We saw the board go from a 6 minute delay to 30 min. to 44 min. to 70 min.! At this point I was figuring even if the train left after 70 minutes, we’d just make it to the Bronx for the game. I said how we should go to another train station on another line and hope for the best. The girls agreed, off we went, and as we were walking to the car, we heard an announcement that the train had been cancelled. Great. Thankfully, we made it to the other train station where there were no delays and got on the train with 2 minutes to spare. What timing! Coming back home at night was no better though. Our “express” train was alternating between stopping randomly and put-putting along at 5mph and was 45 minutes late. Some express train.
Seats: Our seats were pretty good – they are season tickets from a friend of my friend. They’re field level behind the walkway. Strangely, while the lower field level is entirely protecting with ushers and chains, they could care less about the upper part of the field level. I was also very annoyed with the usher in the section in front of us because she stood for a good 3/4 of the game and blocked my view to home plate. The seats are also in the shade which was nice since the temperatures topped out at 99 degrees that day. I will never complain that it is hot – for me the hotter the better – but I will say I am glad we were not baking. I was actually quite comfortable in our seats. In the middle of the game, the sun went behind clouds and a big cheer came up from the crowd in the sunny seats. That was funny.
Food: Everyone always complains about the food situation at Shea. Man, I don’t think they’ve ever been to Al-Yankzeera then. I was surprised that there is 3 food courts on the whole field level – one in RF, LF, and behind home. You can’t walk ten feet on any level at Shea without finding some sort of food or beverage offering. I was happy to see that they do offer a hot Premio sausage option here (unlike Shea), however it is preassembled and wrapped in foil so the bun was entirely soggy. More food points to Shea.
Countdown Clock: They have a digital display in the outfield declaring how many games are left (although now that the Stinkees are asking for more cash money to finish the ballpark, will the new one *really* be done in time??). In the middle of the game they have someone “pull a lever” to decrease the number. I think that’s lame. I like having someone actually physically pull down the sign. Anyway, Lance Armstrong was there to do it this time, but they just showed him on the scoreboard. He had sunglasses on and I didn’t even recognize him.
Game: There was not much offense in the first part of the game. I think each team had maybe one hit going into the 6th inning. Innings 1-5 had taken an hour – that’s it! I even commented that it was going by so quick. A 2-run HR by the Royals put me in a happy mood, only to have it stolen away by ARod in the bottom who hit his own 2-run HR. Boo. The Royals got another HR in the top of the 9th and many of the fairweather fans started to take off. The Yanks sure threatened in the 9th though – bases loaded and everything. The Royals shut them down though to win 3-2. I was pleased by this outcome. 
Post-Game: Post-game we went to dinner in the city at a place I enjoy and recommended to the girls: Brother Jimmy’s. Tasty food and drinks as always!
Photos behind the cut
Back to Shea this weekend for the first time in like a month. Crazy. I hope that Jarrod Saltalamacchia is catching Sunday. I caught a foul ball that he had hit at spring training 2 years ago when he played for the Braves so he is a mini-favorite of mine.
