"A New York Treasure" --Village Voice

Sleepin’ on the Job

Man, am I ever glad I’m too old to care about being cool. I was at the game last night and shortly after 9, I split, left the game before it was over. When I was younger I would have stuck it out even if I had to get up early the next morning. Now, it’s not a hard call. Rain delays, school night? I’m ghost.

I was happy to be in the company of one Matt B, but didn’t want to be up all night.

By the time I got home, the tarp was coming off the field and the Yanks and Rays finished the game with Tampa coming out on top, 7-2. Lance Berkman hit his first homer in pinstripes but that was about all the good news for the home team.

They’ll go again this evening, in what promises to be a good one: Sabathia vs. Price.

[Photo Credit: Chris McGrath/Getty Images]

Categories:  Bronx Banter  Game Recap  Yankees

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9 comments

1 rbj   ~  Sep 23, 2010 9:08 am

Yup. Turned the tv off early and went to bed. Had to yell at the damn kids being on the lawn again first though.

2 joejoejoe   ~  Sep 23, 2010 9:23 am

I doubt you would have left if you thought the game would make a difference between the Yanks making the playoffs or not. I don't think you are getting old, I think the Yankees spoil all their fans with their success.

3 Alex Belth   ~  Sep 23, 2010 9:39 am

Nah, I'm getting old. When it's between a good night's sleep and waiting in the rain, I'm out of there. I can watch the rest at home on beautiful HD TV and still feel plenty part of it.

On talk radio I'd be a chump of a fan, but I don't care. LOL

4 williamnyy23   ~  Sep 23, 2010 10:17 am

I used to think it was a badge of honor to stay to the bitter of end on such night's, but I also used to think the 90 minute trade ride back to Brooklyn at 1am was an adventure.

Nothing wrong with getting older if it means getting wiser.

On a related note, it is kind of interesting to consider how the HDTV experience may actually be encroaching on the ballpark. With new Stadiums having massive video boards and wireless access, it's almost like teams are trying to make you feel more at home than giving you the ballpark experience.

I love the experience of being at the ballpark because there are so many things to see that the camera ignores, but I still sometimes have to force myself to go because of how enjoyable it is to watch a game at home.

5 seamus   ~  Sep 23, 2010 10:26 am

i'm generally speaking a stick it outer. I may be getting older but frack, i still love staying out as late as can be.

6 seamus   ~  Sep 23, 2010 10:42 am

[5] I should add that I also have a job that accommodates that lifestyle. This summer has had a lot of late nights for me and it's been fun.

7 Matt Blankman   ~  Sep 23, 2010 10:58 am

Made it through the 7th, Alex, then we hit the bricks. Man, do the Yankees never tire of two things in that ballpark 1) selling ad space and 2) putting fans on the big screen.
Also, during that epic rain delay, we had to watch a horrible video (which was really an ad) for the Yankees Fantasy Camp. C'mon already, just stop the constant shilling - show some highlights or even "Yankeeography: Ray Fontenot."

8 moismycopilot   ~  Sep 23, 2010 12:38 pm

[7] We saw that Fantasy Camp video during a long rain delay back in July. We stuck it out, but we were tempted to bolt when they started showing part 2 of 2. There were a couple of moments where I thought it was going to become an inadvertent snuff film. Is that video supposed to make anybody want to go to that camp?

I still try to stick it out at games, unless I'm really uncomfortable--too cold or soaked through or whatever, but the older I get the lower that threshold becomes. That's life, I guess.

9 kenboyer made me cry   ~  Sep 23, 2010 12:42 pm

I'm probably older than 90% of the people here, but normally I stay until the end. A two hour rain delay would probably hasten my retreat early, especially if with my son on a school night.

Even in a blow out, something happens that you rarely or ever see in a game. That is what separates the knowledgeable from the casual fan as the game is usually never boring if you truly love baseball.

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"This ain't football. We do this every day."
--Earl Weaver