New Yankee Stadium Serves As Monument To History Of Old Park

Yankees COO Lonn Trost Yesterday Led  Media Tour Of New Yankee Stadium

Yankees COO Lonn Trost yesterday led a media tour of the new Yankee Stadium, and what he "proudly showed off was essentially a monument to the history that took place" at the old ballpark, according to Robert Cassidy in a special to NEWSDAY. Three weeks prior to the Indians-Yankees regular-season opener on April 16, the facility is, "for the most part, complete." The parking garages "will be open" for the home opener, with the "only unfinished business the Metro North railroad station." The new Yankee Stadium "may have fewer seats ... but it's bigger and should be far more comfortable than the old model." The aisles are "wider and there is more leg room; the seats are wider and most are cushioned." And while there may be a "few small pockets of obstructed-view seats," there are 1,400 video screens, including a 59-by-101-foot high HD LED screen in centerfield. Despite the struggling economy, it "seems that no expense was spared" in the $1.3B ballpark. While the field dimensions are the same as the old park, everything else "seems to have changed for the better." Monument Park, in centerfield, is a "meandering walkway, the food court is immense, there are a dozen restaurants and lounges, and more restrooms." The Great Hall "wraps the main concourse and is adorned with 39-foot-high photos of Yankees stars, past and present," and more than 1,400 photos of "historic Yankees moments will hang in the stadium" (NEWSDAY, 3/25). In New Jersey, Ian O'Connor notes the seats "don't rise up or out from the field at the same severe angles and speeds, creating a more intimate setting, and yet the increase in elbow and leg room is like the one greeting the lucky coach passenger in a middle seat who gets upgraded to first class." But a "bigger house doesn't always make for a better home," and "businessmen shouldn't tear down Yankee Stadium any more than they should tear down Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, or Churchill Downs" (Bergen RECORD, 3/25).

Trost Says Seats At Old Yankee Stadium Should Be Removed In Next Two Weeks

OUT WITH THE OLD: In N.Y., Richard Sandomir reports the Yankees have "reached a tentative agreement on the sale of Yankee Stadium memorabilia that guarantees the city" $10M. A participant in the negotiations said that the city will receive an escalating portion of sales, beginning with 5% of net sales over $16M. The available merchandise includes "seats, the foul poles, walls from Monument Park," and more. The Yankees and Steiner Sports "will act as the sales agent" (N.Y. TIMES, 3/25). Trost said he expects the seats to be removed from the old Yankee Stadium "within two weeks." Trost: "Everything but our furniture, equipment and the sod is still there" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 3/25). Also in N.Y., Jeremy Olshan cites sources as saying that the demolition of the old ballpark "will start prior to the April 16 Opening Day at the new ballpark, and fans will get specifics on the memorabilia sale in coming weeks" (N.Y. POST, 3/25).

RAISING THE BAR: On Long Island, Neil Best reports the Yankees yesterday "began single-game ticket sales to the general public online," and the team said that they "had sold 170,000 by midday." The "availability of the costliest tickets" for the new Yankee Stadium was "part of a trend in two hours navigating Ticketmaster's seat-purchasing process." Moderately-priced single-game tickets were "difficult to come by after full- and partial-plan holders got their cracks late last week, and winners of an online lottery did Monday" (NEWSDAY, 3/25).

STILL TIME TO MAKE A DEAL: Trost indicated that the Yankees "could reach terms on a new arrangement with a financial organization" ahead of the ballpark's opening. Trost: "There will still be a relationship we have with the banking institution, and it will come to pass before we open" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 3/25).

Morimoto To Man Cooking Station In Suites For Select Games

FOOD COURT: In N.Y., Florence Fabricant writes the choice of food at the new Yankee Stadium "will be a bit more varied than before." The ballpark will feature "chains like Johnny Rockets and Brother Jimmy's BBQ, and sandwiches from the premium butcher Lobel's." More than two-thirds of the 137 concession stands and carts "will be able to cook," up from 14% at the old ballpark, which is part of the effort Legends Hospitality Management said that it is "making to improve the quality and freshness of the food at all levels." Fans in clubs and suites "will have access to much more," as a "number of restaurants and dining areas will be for their exclusive enjoyment." The food will be prepared "at open cooking stations run ... by Masaharu Morimoto of 'Iron Chef' fame, April Bloomfield of the Spotted Pig, chefs from Le Cirque and cooks from Elaine's." Some of the chefs "will be at the stadium for one evening and others may make multiple appearances." Fans seated in the Delta 360 club will have "access to a dining room where chefs from the Food Network will occasionally cook at two open kitchens" (N.Y. TIMES, 3/25).

CITI FIELD SPREAD: In N.Y., Glenn Collins reports Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG) will team with Aramark for concessions at the Mets' Citi Field. Union Square's presence at the ballpark "will include a restaurant-cafe-bar-lounge complex called the Delta Sky360 Club," a 22,500-square-foot concourse with 1,600 premium seats. The club will feature a 109-seat restaurant, "show-kitchen pizza ovens, in-seat service and two bars, one dispensing specialty brews." For other fans, Union Square will "operate a terrace-cum-food court in left-center field called Taste of the City," which will include menu items from USHG's existing franchises such as Shake Shack and Blue Smoke, as well as "offerings from two new concepts." Union Square's operation at Citi Field will have a staff of "more than 160, joining close to 2,000 people working for Aramark." Union Square Partner & President of Growth Businesses David Swinghamer said that while the company "had discussions with the Yankees, 'the talks never got traction'" (N.Y. TIMES, 3/25).