APRIL 8, 2004 --

The Yankees opened at home on April 8, playing the Chicago White Sox. LPR was denied media credentials for this event. (UConn had graciously given LPR media credentials, the day before on no advance notice, for the UConn women's NCAA basketball championship rally). Although LPR was barred from taking pictures inside Yankee Stadium, it did take photos outside the ballpark.

First, LPR had to find a parking space, getting one on Gerard Avenue, just above 165th Street. Walking back to 161st Street, LPR spotted a cookout at a parking lot at 164th Street, and learned that five buses brought Yankee fans from Scranton, Pennsylvania. They gave LPR a far friendlier greeting than did the Yankee media office.

LPR also got a friendly greeting from Skitch Henderson who confided that he is really a National League fan, having rooted for the old New York Giants. (LPR doesn't want to get Maestro Henderson in trouble with George Steinbrenner-- who has conducted Henderson concerts, LPR was also informed -- by mentioning any particular National League team, here Mr. Henderson did compliment Steinbrenner on his musicianship.

Another friendly greeting was extended LPR by Dr. Henry A. Kissinger who had been named the original chair of the 9-11 Commission that had taken testimony from National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice this opening day morning. Dr. Kissinger soon stepped aside and Tom Kean, former GOP New Jersey Governor was named chairman, to tolerate, apparently, applause during Dr. Rice's questioning by Richard Ben-Veniste, the partisan Democrat whose name lacks only an "r" to rhyme with sinister. Mr. Ben-Veniste was wont to ask Dr. Rice time-consuming questions and then to berate her for not replying curtly, thereby to allow him additional, and presumably equally time-consuming, questions. Apparently Mr. Kean did not see himself as referee, else a whistle would have been called on Ben-Veniste for obnoxious inquiry. Toleration of applause for Ben-Veniste's questioning suggested, of course, that Kean, in the manner of a very moderate major Republican, sought the approval of the Democratic zealots on the panel. LPR asked Dr. Kissinger if he would comment on the panel. He indicated no by nod of his head, and walked to the ballpark and baseball game. (Both Dr. Kissinger and A-Rod -- playing his first Yankee Stadium game as a Yankee-- grew up across the Harlem River from the Stadium, in Washington Heights.)

And, another friendly greeting outside Yankee Stadium to LPR by means of a Dan Rather thumbs up.

One more friendly greeting was given LPR by the tenor scheduled to perform the National Anthem before the game, which was also preceded by a tremendous roar, causing us, outside the stadium, to look up and see four jets, flying west in formation.

It was not exactly a friendly greeting that LPR was given by Martha Stewart as she took her ticket to the game out of her handbag, but finally, LPR has joined the New York corps of photographers who, in recent months, has taken this household name's picture. (Let it be noted, however, that this photo was taken in The Bronx, not in south Manhattan.)

And what tells the difference between a current mayor and a former mayor than the number of microphones surrounding him as he goes to a Yankee game. (The hand visible in the photo of the former mayor Guiliani belongs to Glenn Schuck of WINS and also Metro Networks. Newsman Schuck, coincidentally, is standing behind Mayor Bloomberg and to the Mayor's left.)

LPR did get a photo of George Steinbrenner, but has just adopted a policy of not posting a photo of anyone whose media office keeps LPR on the outside -- where, however, photo ops do happen.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.