Here’s the link to the tracker itself — I’ll be putting up a link for it in the header as well in case this post gets buried.

As a warning, if you tag along on Twitter I post a lot about my cats and other non-baseball stuff.

I understand their motivation too: When are you gonna see another guy hit a round number like 600 homeruns again? Not for a while though there are some people on with a great chance to do so. But I hate them as the people I’m sharing my baseball experience with because I am a temperamental crazy sorta snobby baseball fan.

Last night there were throngs of people wearing brand new A-Rod jerseys who seemed to have no idea what a baseball is. The rows around me in the bleachers emptied out between A-Rod at bats. People who were familiar with this baseball thing complained a lot about Lance Berkman being the the most horrible acquisition the Yankees have ever made. Apparently he is a terrible baseball player, maybe even the worst in MLB and it’s not close.

In 2007 when Alex was closing in on 500 homeruns a lot of the same idiocy was around, of course. Much like now whenever he hit a ball into the air, thousands of people went nuts even if it didn’t leave the infield. I was aggravated then too but wasn’t going to as many games. The game before he hit 500, I actually was driven nearly insane by the yell at all fly balls crowd. It was not pretty.

If the team could harness the alleged wind tunnel and just push a lazy fly ball over the wall tonight at some point, I would appreciate it. Not because I’m going to be there but because I’m tired of hearing about it, and being exposed to people who think every pop up is outta here, and because if I stab someone I’m probably going to jail which I don’t really want to do.

Next day was Old Timer’s Day, where there were no big boats but there were some big fish. I took a lot of pictures (though significantly fewer than last year), so check them all out if you want.

Teaser shot:

Jeff Nelson tips his hat after a show-off catch.

Full Old Timer’s Day Gallery:

So imagine my surprise when the count to Jose Lopez hit 1-2 and some girl a few rows down yelled out “I’m going to start the wave!”

If you are over the age of 8 or so you should never do the wave at a close Major League baseball game. If you are accompanying someone of the proper age to do the wave, you should probably encourage them not to and teach them proper ballpark etiquette. I suggest taking them to a minor league game where anything goes for things like the wave and tossing beach balls around. Basically, if you are not a small child do not do the wave.

Seriously, don’t do it. It’s rude and interferes with people who are actually at the baseball game to watch the baseball game. Yes we actually exist, I know it’s amazing. I’ll give you that there are certain times when it’s not a crime against humanity to do the wave (you can read about all that over here if you’re confused and need guidance), but I promise you that Mariano Rivera closing out a game at Yankee Stadium is never one of those times.

And so, if you try to do the wave and block my view when Mariano is pitching, especially on a two strike count, don’t act surprised/offended/upset when I yell at you to cease blocking my view. Because I am watching the game. Funny how that works.

[Picture Credit to Subway Chatter]

This goes well with those quote from the aforementioned noted hater of the working class stiff:

There’s an area by the Legends Suite which is not an area that fans can get into,” Trost said. “If you purchase a suite, do you want somebody in your suite? If you purchase a home, do you want somebody in your home?

(I’m still alive, just extremely busy with work these days. Hi, internet.)

As of right now, I’m not sure if both tiers of the patrician class are allowed in the Legends seats. As soon as I figure it out, I’ll report back.

Kerry Wood has an injury of some sort.

Delmon Young swung at the first pitch he saw this year.

Derek Jeter grounded out to second in his first at bat.

Jose Veras hit a batter and walked the bases loaded.

Baseball is back!

The price of a bleacher seat for the exhibition openers at the new Yankee Stadium will cost far less than a soda.

The Yankees said Wednesday that bleacher seats for the games against the Chicago Cubs on April 3 and 4 will sell for 25 cents and grandstand tickets will be $1.10. That matches the prices for the opener of the original Yankee Stadium against Boston on April 18, 1923.

Field level seats at the 52,325-seat ballpark will cost $45-$50, main level $20-$45 and terrace level $20-$35. Full season-ticket holders will get the seats for free, and those who bought partial season-tickets will be given a presale.

That’s actually really cool. Hopefully I’ll be able to snag a few. I’m interested in what the TicketMaster charges will be, though.

• The Veterans Committee failed to vote in any post-War players like Dick Allen or Ron Santo. Boo on you, Veterans Committee.
• CC Sabathia isn’t signing before the meetings are over and if the Giants offer him anything that doesn’t suck, he’s going there so yeah he’s going there to lose games 1-0.
• The Yankees are going to offer a two year deal to Ben Sheets he probably won’t take, which is too bad because that’s pretty reasonable.
• There have been a lot of ridiculous what the fuck rumors like Jeff Franceour straight-up for Zack Greinke that are shot down twenty minutes later. I am thinking of starting one of these myself, it sounds like fun.
• Jake Peavy’s about to be traded…wait no he’s not…okay yes he is…no he’s not again.
• The Mets signed Francisco Rodriguez for three years with a vesting option for a fourth and the vesting option isn’t anything but a “stay healthy” clause (and he probably will unless he breaks his leg throwing himself off the mound during his follow through).
• The Red Sox talked to Andy Pettitte’s agent for thirty seconds so they’re obviously interested in him. Oh wait things don’t work that way and lefties get destroyed in Fenway most of the time so why was this reported anywhere as news?

Thrilling. At least I can hope for K-Rod failure to make the headlines in the Daily News and Post next year ineteresting.

Good times all around.