July 22, 2015
After an amazing trip out West the previous year, we took things to the opposite coast to the bright lights of the East Coast. It was a familiar drive through Baltimore and Philadelphia, which we saw on our first ever road trip, but this time those were simply drive-by stops with no games. Our first real stop came in the city that never sleeps: New York City.
Unlike other times when we’d just go to a city to watch a game and leave, we couldn’t quite do that in New York and feel comfortable with ourselves not seeing all this iconic hub had to offer. Plus, we had to make time because the Yankees and Mets weren’t at home at the same time but we wanted to see both on this trip. The morning of our first game we went to Good Morning America, NBC Studios and Chinatown, all as an appetizer to the main event: a trip to Yankee Stadium.
Being in New York allowed us for the first time ever to arrive to the game in a subway, not a car. From the get-go, I could tell this would be a unique experience. Already in the subway Yankee fans packed in from left and right, and there was a definite buzz all the way to the Bronx. Anyone who knows me understands I have a hard time liking anything Yankees related, so a visit to their home would already be interesting enough for me. An added bonus today, however, was that the Yankees were playing my Baltimore Orioles. It was something I always tried to avoid while planning these trips, because if the Orioles lose I easily get in a terrible mood, but this time it was unavoidable. Some might fear walking into enemy territory in opponent’s gear, especially to the Bronx, but I wasn’t about to shy away. From the subway to the gates of the stadium and beyond, I was wearing my bright Oriole orange, and I was proud.
Upon arrival, my mom was forced to give up our beloved selfie stick because apparently the Yankees consider that a weapon. Already not the best start. Before the game we made a stop at Monument Park, where even I could recognize the incredible players the Yankees have had. It wasn’t easy though. As we made our way around the concourse, this place felt more like an upscale shopping mall than a baseball ballpark. There was no charm.
Our seats were in the outfield bleachers, which once again provided a very one-of-a-kind experience, as some of the rowdiest fans sit in the outfield, such as the ones that yell the daily roll call of Yankee starters. The game itself wasn’t the best for me, as both Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixiera, my two least favorite Yankees at the time, hit home runs, and the Orioles lost a close one 4-3. Despite the Orioles’ loss, I still had a decent time taking in such a historic stadium. It’s by no means my favorite of all-time, but it will always be a unique experience for us in many ways.
