New York, NY

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Jun 18, 2007 11:25 AM PDT Comment 31 comments

As I have mentioned before, I am heading out to New York this weekend to see the A's take on BOTH New York Teams. First they hit up Shea Stadium and then the following weekend, Yankee Stadium. And like a good A's groupie, I will be following right along.

I will only be going to the Saturday games, and I really want to be sure I get everything in at each Stadium. I don't want to miss an inch of those stadiums because this will be my only opportunity to see them before they are replaced in 2009.

So, I would really like to hear from anyone who has gone to these two stadiums. I know that the Yankees have their Monument Park, and I fully intend to visit it. My question is, is there anything along those lines at Shea? Is there anything historical or special I should make a point to check out once I am there? Any food recommendation?

Same for Yankee Stadium, anything you would suggest making a point to see? Any food that is classic Yankee Stadium?

Basically I want to hear, "If you can only go once to Yankee/Shea Stadium, you absolutely can't miss ..." (fill in the blank)

This would be very helpful. I really want to get the full experience of each stadium, but because I am only going to one game each, I am terribly afraid of missing something. So any advice, tips, or suggestions would be very welcome!

Thanks for the help!

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You can't miss anything at Shea...

Because there is nothing to see, that place is a dump. Definitely go see Monument Park, but make sure to go early as I think it closes like 30 minutes before the start of the game if not a bit earlier.

Have a great time, NY is a fun place with some fun crowds.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Jun 18, 2007 11:39 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

oh, i am SO jealous of you right now, BCG!!

have a wonderful time in NY!! i know you'll come back with lots of great pictures for us! =)

by gotgreen on Jun 18, 2007 11:46 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Shea = Candlestick East

Shea Stadium opened in 1964 and it has all of the "charm" of other multi-use (the Jets used to play there) stadiums built in that era. This location was proposed to O'Malley to replace Ebbetts Field.

I grew up in Flushing but it was been years since I have been to Shea, but I doubt that much has changed. The local history is not tied to baseball. Flushing Meadows is the location of both the 1939 and 1964 worlds fairs, the tennis center is located in Flushing Meadows too.

If you like Greek food you can make an easy detour after the game to Astoria, Queens.

When you got to Bronx, 161st and River is not a Fenway or Wrigley type destination. Stick with the crowd and don't check out the neighborhood.

by NoeValley on Jun 18, 2007 11:48 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

For the best details

on the Ebbetts Field and Shea origination, and the Dodgers leaving for Los Angeles, read Michael Shapiro's "The Last Good Season". Fantastic details.

Especially regarding the Athletics injuries, it is interesting to read about injuries in that book (though only a sidelight).

Main thing is, O'Malley never wanted to leave Brooklyn. It was the idiot who wanted freeways and monumental building in the cityscape (i.e. "Rome in the 20th Century") Robert Moses.

Robert Moses had no redeeming social value.

Ebbetts Field was apparently a terrible, urine-smelling pit. It was so bad, Opening Day in 1956, complete with a celebration of Brooklyn's only championship (1955) did NOT sell out. About 20,000 short!

Rename Fremont, CA, to Philadelphia, CA. All East Bay printing cos. support this idea!

by One won lost won on Jun 19, 2007 9:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

woohoo

I'll be right there with ya at yankee stadium on saturday. Flight leaves oakland on thursday, and spending friday sat, and sunday nights in the big apple. Section 518, and i gots 2 extras if anybody is interested. Anyways, the things about yankee stadium, momument park, and they actually sell hotdogs and beer in the stands, woohoo. no getting up unless its for the bathroom. This trip should be a blast, also checking out cooperstown on monday, good times.

by Rickeyistheman on Jun 18, 2007 11:53 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I wanted to go to Cooperstown

But I couldn't convince my friend that a day trip out there was a good idea. She is not a big baseball fan, compared to me of course, so even the games were a bit of a sacrafice for her.

Oh well, looks like I will have to go back! Darn! ;)

"I'm already in Barry's head! He doesn't want to play against ME!" - Kotsay on facing Zito, Fan Fest 2007

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Jun 18, 2007 12:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

See if you can change her mind....

Cooperstown is a fabulous experience....

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Jun 18, 2007 12:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cooperstown is More

...than worth the trip. It would be a tough 1 day round trip, however, tell your friend there is more to see than the HOF. The Fenimore Art Musuem is right on Lake Otsego. Summer in upstate NY is not to be missed.

by NoeValley on Jun 18, 2007 1:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

...

yeah its a rough trip for one day, and also the hotels there are like a hundred bucks a night. We are going to stay in albany and drive about an hour and a half to cooperstown, then treck it back to DC to visit the family. Definately take the subway to the game, we're gonna be coming in on the 4 train from grand central. Aw man I really can't wait. Anyone know of some good sports bars in midtown to watch the later games?

by Rickeyistheman on Jun 18, 2007 3:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If the Yankees leave town

and go on the road while you're in NYCity, take the "Tour of Yankee Stadium". Pretty decent. Got my pictures taken out with the monuments. Got to go in the dugouts, locker room, etc.

Rename Fremont, CA, to Philadelphia, CA. All East Bay printing cos. support this idea!

by One won lost won on Jun 19, 2007 8:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

if you go to yankee/shea stadiums

you can't miss....

sorry, there's nothing to see. the places are both dumps. they're fun dumps, but they're dumps. Classic food is hot dogs at Yankee Stadium.

One thing that might be fun for you, however, are the Coney Island Mets affiliate and the Staten Island Yankees. A bit of a different feel if you're in the city anyways. Catch Coney Island and the free NYC cruise that is the Staten Island Ferry

Hi, I am closetasfan, and I am a NRAF, and an ANA

by closetasfan on Jun 18, 2007 12:21 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Yankee Stadium is special

because of everything that has happened there and the players who played there. It was amazing before the refurbishing (though no doubt it needed the work), but I still get excited walking up the tunnel out to the seats. Since they left in the old overhang, it has a bit of the old feel. Shea is nasty - nothing interesting or distinguishing about it. The US Open facility is great, so I hope they give the new stadium more of that feel. Still would have been nice for it to be relocated.

by boilerdan on Jun 18, 2007 1:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

the way to get the flavor

of each is to take the subway to each. absorb the new yorkitude and new yorkness in the subway cars around you. totally unique. great baseball fans. if you like 'em on the bitter and edgy side. wear your a's gear. we command a lot of respect in those parts.

me and marco down by the ballyard.

by oakath on Jun 18, 2007 3:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

What kind of respect? I'm curious.

Bottom of the 9th - Baseball photojournalism by James Venes

by Flashfire on Jun 18, 2007 5:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

the kind of respect

only a new yorker can bestow. the i won't give you any crap like i would if you were an angels or mariners or rangers (texas baseball not hockey rangers) fan.

me and marco down by the ballyard.

by oakath on Jun 18, 2007 6:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What would happen if...??

you wore an Athletics "Giambi" jersey??

That'd be worth the confusion!

Rename Fremont, CA, to Philadelphia, CA. All East Bay printing cos. support this idea!

by One won lost won on Jun 19, 2007 8:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

A few more things about Yankee Stadium

If you take the D train take note that the Polo Grounds was on the other side of the river at the subway stop (155th St.) before the stadium. You could see each park from the other.

When you look out to monument park consider that the left centerfield bleachers were beyong the monuments in the old configuration. In ~50 years ther were about 2 dozen balls hit into the bleachers.

Look out toward right field, near the bullpen. That is where Maris hit #61. At least 1 million people probably claim that they were there. In fact it was less than 25000. While you are focused on the bullpen visualize Ryne Duren jumping over the fence to come into the game. Then look up and know that the Mick twice hit balls within 2 feet of the top of the facade.

by NoeValley on Jun 18, 2007 3:22 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

And know that Mick

hurt himself on a sprinkler in Yankee Stadium in 1951, which affected his running the rest of his career.

Who was sooooo dumb as to have "permanent" sprinkler fittings in the field???

Rename Fremont, CA, to Philadelphia, CA. All East Bay printing cos. support this idea!

by One won lost won on Jun 19, 2007 9:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

mets-A's

I'm going to the Saturday A's-Mets game. I plan on wearing my A's sweatshirt. The last time they were at Shea was the 73 series.

by Babitts on Jun 18, 2007 4:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

trivia winner here dude

yankees played at shea in 74 and 75. so.... extra credit only yank manager to not manage at yankee stadium bill virdon cause they played at...

me and marco down by the ballyard.

by oakath on Jun 18, 2007 5:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i'll be there too!

I'm flying out this friday and am going to the sunday game at shea....will anyone else be there?

by StocktonJew on Jun 18, 2007 4:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I am flying out on Friday too!

But I am going to the game Saturday.

"I'm already in Barry's head! He doesn't want to play against ME!" - Kotsay on facing Zito, Fan Fest 2007

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Jun 18, 2007 4:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah i'm taking

the red eye out of sfo, saturday is going to be brutal on no sleep at all. What are your plans besides baseball? Do you have family there?

by StocktonJew on Jun 18, 2007 5:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No Family

Just doing the typical touristy stuff, Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, that sort of thing.

I will be flying all day on Friday. I think any time you take a 6 hour flight it is going to suck, regardless of the time you get in. Good Luck!

"I'm already in Barry's head! He doesn't want to play against ME!" - Kotsay on facing Zito, Fan Fest 2007

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Jun 19, 2007 10:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Finally getting to see the A's in person.

I'll be at the A's/Yankees game on Saturday. I'm from Brooklyn and it'll be the first time I've seen the A's live in nearly 10 years. I can't wait!!!

As for the New York stadiums:
At Shea you might want to bring a gas mask. If the wind is coming in it tends to bring the smell of trash and sewage into the stadium. Hopefully the new stadium will be nice. Apparently they are building up the whole area, much like the way Cisco will be.
At Yankee Stadium you'll definately want to get there really early to be able to take everything in. The history is unbelievable. I hate the Yanks as much as anyone, but when you walk into that stadium you can just feel the history. Its pretty amazing. It all depends on where you are sitting if you should wear your A's gear. If you are in the bleachers do NOT wear A's gear. I've seen some pretty unbeleivable stuff happen there. Nothing too physical. More like 300 people standing and pointing while chanting, "Asshole". Everywhere else is fine. You might get a few remarks, but I imagine thats going to happen where ever you go.

Have fun in New York. It's the best city in the world. If you have food preferences let me know. I'll try and steer you in the right direction.

Can't wait for the game. Crossing fingers that I get to see Haren, Blanton, or Harden pitch against the Rocket. Praying that Wang doesn't pitch for the Yanks. If so, its going to be ground balls all day long.

GO A'S

by davidvangorp on Jun 19, 2007 5:26 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs