New York Yankees

In what was the last spring tune up for the New York Yankees, and only the second game played in the new Yankee Stadium, the Bronx Bombers topped the Chicago Cubs this afternoon, 10-1.

Perhaps the biggest highlight of the afternoon was the hitting show put on by the Yanks’ $180 million off-season acquisition Mark Teixeira.

The new first baseman had two home runs in today’s game, smacking a solo homer into the right-center field bleachers in the third inning and a three-run dinger into the upper deck in right field in the fourth.

It didn't feel like Yankee Stadium.

Emerging from the steps that connect the D train to River Ave., I wanted to go left, but the crowds ushered me right - across the street to the new ballpark.

Waiting on the massive line near Gate 6, I gazed up at the colossal exterior and snapped pictures like the thousands surrounding me.

In 50 years, I'd tell my grandchildren how I attended the first ever game at the new Yankee Stadium.

I'd leave out the part about it being an exhibition.

So, how was your cool, damp Friday night?

Good?

Mine was better.

After six stifling hours of class, subsisting on cheap sushi and stuff you get out of the vending machine, my friend Brent and I headed to the New Yankee Stadium to catch the exhibition Cubs-Yankees game.

In economics, the Misery Index is calculated by adding the inflation rate to the unemployment rate. The Sports Fan Misery Index, developed by the Boston Sports Group, calculates the financial pain experienced by a devoted team follower when he watches his club lose at home.

Using research available from Team Marketing Report, the Sports Fan Misery Index is computed by adding three numbers: 1) the cost of an average ticket (premium seating is not included in this calculation); 2) the cost of parking; and 3) the cost of consolation, or two small beers.

The early morning fog and clouds cleared to reveal nothing but blue sky and sunshine.

The baseball gods would not allow anything to ruin the unveiling of the most remarkable structure its sport has to offer.

In the current economic slump, only the New York Yankees seem to be unfazed by it. A very cavalier off season for the Yankees saw them heap nine-figure contracts upon Mark Teixeira and CC Sabathia. Throw in another 80+ million dollars for A.J. Burnett, plus the bloated contracts of Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter, and the Yankees, again, will wear the crown for largest payroll in Major League Baseball.

A lot of stuff to get too... Let's start off with this slideshow from NJ.com. It has a bunch of pics from today's workout at the new stadium.

Here's a link to some great panoramic shots of the new stadium from the New York Times.'

Here's a video tour from Sam Borden of The Journal News:

Well, Mike Axisa from River Ave. Blues and Rob Neyer think they should. McPherson was released yesterday by the Marlins and could be brought in to play third base.