APRIL 28, 2009 --

The official opening of Yankee Stadium II was a gray day, weather-wise and score-wise. Yankee fans might have been impressed with the ballpark; they weren't impressed with the Yankee's showing -- losing 10 - 2 to Cleveland.

Opening Day sign

LPR got to the stadium area about mid-game, and shortly thereafter noticed a throng of fans leaving the ballpark, most walking across 161st Street -- a cross way that never had such heavy pedestrian traffic, there not being a stadium on the north side of 161st Street, previously. (Note to clicksters: those of us in the vicinity of the street say "a hundred sixty-first" -- not "one hundred and sixty-first.") These fans were not going to stay to see if the Yankees could come back from being eight runs down.

Fans leaving early - April 16

Unhappy crowd leaves early (7th inning) Opening Day

But with fans leaving when the Yankees are losing, the team won't have its "tenth person," the fans cheering in support for their team. The Yankees lost the third game with Cleveland 22 -4, with the Indians scoring 14 runs in just one inning game, game, 22 - 4, Cleveland scoring 14 runs in one inning. (A sign of displeasure from the spirit of Babe Ruth?)

LPR offers this suggestion to fans who drive to the ballpark. Arrive very early. Traffic close to game-time is no smoother than it was at Yankee Stadium. For night games, if a fan arrives before 4 p.m., she is just might find a free parking space on Jerome Avenue just below 167th (a hundred sixty-seventh) street.

And after the game, as the adjoining image shows, Gerard Avenue, one block east of the ballpark, is not a terrific idea.

Gerard Avenue traffic

BTW - the garage adjacent to Yankee Stadium II on Jerome Avenue is restricted to "preferred" fans. Rule of thumb: if you couldn't get into the parking lot opposite the press entrance to Yankee Stadium, you won't get into Preferred Garage.

This sign is at the garage on Jerome Avenue next to Gate 2. Don't go in without qualifying, in the eyes of Yankee management (or unless "preferred" tickets stay home in large numbers).

LPR imagines that if prices and performance at YSII discourage fans, New York City and the Yankees can always seek...a bailout.

Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, outside Yankee Stadium II the day after his installation as New York City archbishop.

By doing to YSII ticket prices what Republicans say should be done to taxes: lower them.

Happy crowd leaving after game - April 19