MARCH 3, 2009 --

A high-tech sign on the outside of Yankee Stadium II announces that the first game in the new ballpark will be played against the Chicago Cubs, April 3. This game and the one against the Cubs April 4 are exhibitions. The manager of the Cubs is former Yankee Lou Pinella, but LPR has no word that this explains why the Cubs will be the first visiting team to play in Yankee Stadium II (allowing that these are not official games).

A matching high-tech sign informs people that Opening Day is April 16, against the Cleveland Indians. Last season, it rained opening day at Yankee Stadium -- or was that Babe Ruth weeping that it marked the end of "The House that Ruth Built"?

LPR expects that the most popular spot for image-taking of Yankee Stadium II will be opposite Gate 4, on the approach to the Macombs Dam bridge, above 161st Street. This is likely to cause traffic problems unless a viewing platform is erected. Images taken of Gates 2 and 6 do not give a sense of the stadium's form.

Drivers reaching the ballpark by way of Jerome Avenue will not be able to see it until they are near the structure; trees obscure a view of the stadium looking south on Jerome Avenue. An unobstructed image looking towards the ballpark from the Gate 2 side on Jerome Avenue likely will include the not very lovely garage back of left and center fields.

The players parking lot opposite Yankee Stadium, outside the left field foul line, is gone, with a new structure already going up. The last week of February, Old Glory was still on watch at Yankee Stadium. For how much longer?

How much longer will Old Glory fly from here?

The player's lot opposite Yankee Stadium is gone.