
Almost 24 hours later, and I'm STILL exhausted! Yesterday was a marathon sports day that I won't soon forget!
It all started at 8:00 am, when I left my North Jersey home and headed down to "Filth"-adelphia for Giants/Eagles.
Professionally (and personally), it was worth the trip. I caught up with old friends Tiki Barber and Tony Siragusa. I was formally introduced to my "new boss", Giants co-owner Steve Tisch. I even got some airtime on Fox when I almost got run over on the sidelines- twice.
But fandom-wise? TERRIBLE! The Giants were pathetic. Eli stunk (and I feel is a lot more injured than he/the team is letting on) and our defense was even worse. The Eagles had our way with us all damn afternoon. This is the worst a Tom Coughlin-run Giants team has looked in YEARS.
So after that debacle, I headed back up the NJ Turnpike to Yankee Stadium for their Game 4 viewing party. The team opened the Stadium doors- free of charge- and allowed the public to enjoy the game in the world's largest "living room."
The place was packed, and I got to interview a ton of fans. They were a rowdy and jubilant bunch, and we had so much fun!
But while I feel that the Yankees did a great thing, it's really sad how they have alienated a huge part of their fanbase.
Time and time again, fans told me that this was their first- "and probably only"- time they would ever be able to visit the new Yankee Stadium because of ticket prices. A food vendor mentioned that the Stadium was louder last night than during actual home games, because "tonight, the real fans are here. It's too expensive for a "regular person" to come to a playoff game. These rich people are too quiet and they don't care. It's not fun anymore."
What a shame. However, I think all Yankee fans- young, rich, poor, old, fairweather, diehard- could agree that last night's finish was am-a-za-zing.
I finally staggered into my house at 1:30 in the morning- tired, sore, yet giddy.
We are 27 outs away from #27. We are 9 innings away from immortality. Matsui and A-Rod may finally get their rings. Derek, Mo, Andy and Jorge may add another one to their already-impressive collection. All will be right in the universe again, should the Yankees finish the Phillies off.
Let's do it tonight, boys. I don't want to see this series come back to New York. We can all celebrate together later this week down the Canyon of Heroes.
GO YANKEES!