A New York State of Mind

Greetings everyone, I'm here in balmy New York for the All Star Game. Ah, what a night on Monday at the Home Run Derby where Josh Hamilton literally brought the house down in more ways than one.

Hamilton, has pretty much become the media darling this season and after last night, it can be assumed his legend will only grow. He broke a record -- which was held by Bobby Abreu since '05 -- by hitting 28 homers in the first round; however, he lost to Minnesota's Justin Morneau in the final round.

Although some people may love Hamilton's story, or find fault him that he wasted several years in an abyss of drugs and self-destruction, it's no doubt amazing the transformation he's made and using his god-given talent to play the game. If there's anything Hamilton can do being in his unique position -- he can be inspiration to those to make a difference.

It should go without saying for the most part, the House that Ruth Built is certainly less-than-a-desirable ballpark these days (I paid a good bit for a ripped seat); however, as any baseball fan knows, that place is one where the spirits of the past -- Ruth, DiMaggio, Mantle, Maris, Gerhrig roam -- made themselves into legends and a piece of the American sporting landscape.

They'll be moving into a monstrosity next door -- a billion dollar masterpiece -- alas, the old Yankee Stadium is a place in sports history that cannot be understated in any shape or form.

I'll have pictures up in a bit of everything from yesterday; however, it is scaled back from last year because, frankly, I drove up here on Monday morning, visited some old friends, and was worn out. I didn't do the Sunday stuff, nor see the Fan Fest.

This year, the photos will be on the Derby and All-Star game itself.

The Business of Ballparks - Yankee Stadium Gets the '08 All-Star Game and Fenway Undergoes Further Renovation and Expansion...

The baseball world has chatted about this expected announcement for a while, but it is widely expected that Yankee Stadium will get the 2008 All Star Game. Bud Selig and the Powers That Be in this instance went against the trend of giving All-Star Games to showcase new parks.

Yankee Stadium is expected to be torn down in 2009, so the MLB brass must have felt the need to give the game to a place that has had so many historic moments take place.

San Francisco will get the 2007 All-Star Game, and Busch Stadium will have it in 2009.

According to the New York Times, the press conference announcing the official awarding of the game is planned for Jan. 31 at New York's City Hall and will be attended by Commissioner Bud Selig and New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg.

As a person who went to school in New York City and spent a lot of time up there, Yankee Stadium has a distinct charm, lovely Memorial Park and a lot of history, but it is certainly time for it to go. 2008 will certainly be an emotional time for Yankee fans, as the House the Ruth built will be a footnote in history thereafter.

The new stadium will probably be a playground for the rich with nice plush corporate boxes and amenities for those with the cash to spend. New York City, of course, is a place with enormous wealth and the new stadium will almost certainly cater that clientele.

What is unfortunate is that the average fan will have almost no chance to get tickets, unless they enter in a contest or get lucky. Corporate sponsors, MLB officials and teams get first dibs at tickets, and the season ticket holders. If there are any left, they will be dispersed to the public and considering prices in New York City, it will come at a premium.

Fenway Park is expanding.

According the official Red Sox website, the changes include renovations to some of the women's restrooms, more luxury box seats ans suites, a new concourse behind the third base seating area to accommodate standing room fans, vending machines to purchase Charlie Cards to make stumbling onto the Green Line easier after the game, and a "Bleacher Bar" under the center field seating area.

The Red Sox have done upgrades in the offseason since 2002, and notable improvements and additions have included the famous Green Monster seating, more available seating in the mezzanine and third tiers, and adding batting cages for both the home and visiting teams.

The changes, more or less, are to “enhance” the fan experience, but also to pump more money into the team as well as bring more fans into a place already cramped and tight.