NYC Committing $5.1M to Upgrade Richmond County Bank Ballpark

New York City has committed to a $5.1 million allocation to upgrade and revitalize Richmond County Bank Ballpark, which will prime it for other uses besides baseball. The funding comes on the heels of recent news that the New York Yankees would end its affiliation with the Staten Island Yankees (Single-A, New York-Penn League).  Read more here.

Yankees Ditch Double-A Trenton for Independent Somerset

The New York Yankees have announced changes to their minor league affiliation structure as a result of the expiration of the Professional Baseball Agreement (between Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball) and the creation of the Prospect Development Pipeline.  Read more here.  Read about the Somerset Patriots here.

Despite COVID-19, Construction Continues on MLB Field of Dreams

Major League Baseball has yet to determine whether there will be a season because of the spread of the coronavirus across the U.S. But construction continues on the Field of Dreams movie site in Dyersville (IA) where a game is still scheduled to be played between the New York Yankees and the Chicago White Sox on August 13.  Read more here.

MLB Game at Field of Dreams Site Could Re-Energize ‘All-Star Ballpark Heaven’ Development

Thousands of people will be coming to little Dyersville (IA) next August to watch the first major league baseball game played   at the Field of Dreams between the Chicago White Sox and the New York Yankees.  One potential impact could be progress on All-Star Ballpark Heaven, a youth sports facility priced around $70 million that field owners have envisioned but have been unsuccessful in advancing for the better part of a decade.  Read more here.

London Stadium Prepares for MLB

For many West Ham United fans the London Stadium is slowly starting to feel like home, now it is more of a home run. The facility has been transformed into baseball mode for the New York Yankees vs Boston Red Sox game, which takes place on June 28 and 29.  Read more view photos here.

London Stadium in stunning revamp as baseball pitch installed for MLB clash https://t.co/ohCBFFVt76 pic.twitter.com/s0wO3Dw7GK

— hypervocal (@hypervocal) June 18, 2019

MLB Bringing Ballpark in a Box to London Stadium

In a span of 21 days, Major League Baseball will convert a professional soccer pitch in the heart of London into a state-of-the-art baseball stadium worthy of the most storied rivalry in baseball between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees for their upcoming June series.  Read more here.

Take Me Out to…Election 2020?

Can’t escape politics on television, cable and online news, or social media, go to the ballpark. Hmmm? Maybe not. Supporters of President Donald Trump unveiled a large “Trump 2020” banner during a baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York City on Sunday.  Read more here.

Scene at Yankee Stadium during yesterday’s contest against the Kanas City Royals. pic.twitter.com/veJEVgkVIE

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) July 30, 2018

Red Sox, Yankees to Play in London in 2019

Major League Baseball reportedly intends to announce next week that the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox will play two games at London’s Olympic Stadium on June 29-30 next year.  Read more here.

MLB Smacks Down Yankees Over Player Images in Beer Foam

Trouble might have been brewing for the Yankees over facial images of their players — including Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton — imprinted in beer sold at the Stadium. The images were displayed at a media event on Monday at the ballpark.  Read more and see photo here.

London Stadium to Host Two-Game Series Between Yankees, Red Sox

London’s Olympic Stadium is set to host a series between two of the biggest teams in Major League Baseball (MLB).  Plans for the two-game series in June 2019 between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox are close to being finalized.  Read more here.

Under Pressure, Yankees Decide to Expand Protective Netting

The New York Yankees said Sunday they’ll install more protective netting in its Bronx ballpark — and the dad of a toddler who was struck by a foul ball two weeks ago said the decision came not a moment too soon.  Read more here.  Father describes ordeal here.

Supreme Court Justice Shows Up in ‘The Judge’s Chambers’

While Aaron Judge was tearing up baseball earlier this season, the New York Yankees cleverly set up a cozy section in right field called “The Judge’s Chambers,” complete with dark robes and foam gavels for fans, plus faux wood paneling. On Thursday, one of those seats was graced by an actual Supreme Court justice, Sonia Sotomayor.  Read more and view photos here.  View video here.

All Rise — Court is in Session at Yankee Stadium

Inspired by rookie power hitter Aaron Judge, some New York Yankees fans have shown up at the ballpark in judges’ robes and white wigs.  Now, the team has made it official — with faux wood paneling to resemble a courtroom’s jury box, the team has officially marked three rows in section 104 as the “Judge’s Chambers.”  Read more and view photos here.

RailRiders Unveil ‘Baby Bombers’ Alternative Logo

On Saturday, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (Triple-A, International League) unveiled a “Baby Bombers” alternative logo designed by Brandiose.  As you know, the RailRiders are affiliated with the New York Yankees.  Watch unveiling here.

Yankees Unveil Ballpark Enhancements

New enhancements will be developed this offseason at Yankee Stadium, including the Sunrun Kids Clubhouse, MasterCard Batter’s Eye Decks, Bullpen Landings, AT&T Sports Lounge and Budweiser Party Decks.  Read more and view renderings here.

America’s Pastime: Motorcycles and Baseball—Episodes 1 & 2

At the root of it, this trip was all about stitching together a tour to see baseball.  It was about combining the iconic American motorcycle, Harley-Davidson, with the iconic American pastime.  First two up:  Visits to Fenway Park and Yankee Stadium.  Watch Fenway Park visit here.  Watch Yankee Stadium visit here.

Baseball Legend Yogi Berra Passes Away at 90

Yogi Berra, one of baseball’s greatest catchers and characters, who as a player was a mainstay of 10 Yankee championship teams and as a manager led both the Yankees and Mets to the World Series, died on Tuesday.  He was 90.  Read more here.  Visit the Yogi Berra Museum here.

All About the Flags at Yankee Stadium

The flags that flutter atop the roofline of Yankee Stadium during each homestand, representing every major league team based on the order of the division standings, have to get there somehow, and for 26 years that task has fallen to Clinton Thomas and his team.  Read more and see photos here.

New York City FC Debut at Yankee Stadium, Baseball Players Raise Concerns About Turf

New York City FC won their first-ever game at Yankee Stadium on Sunday, as they defeated the New England Revolution 2-0 in front of a crowd of 45,307.  Read more here.  Not everyone is happy about the situation, including Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira.  Read more here.

New Bronx Baseball Murals Knit Neighborhood to Yankee Stadium

Baseball culture extends far outside the gates of Yankee Stadium with Bronx Bombers greats immortalized along streets heading east as part of the 161 Street Business Improvement District’s baseball mural series.  Read more and watch video here.  View murals gallery here.

Derek Jeter Says Goodbye to Yankee Stadium in Dramatic Fashion

With one out in the bottom of the ninth, Derek Jeter stroked the winning hit and ended his Yankee Stadium career the way he had ended so many games — with both arms raised in celebration.  The 6-5 win over the Baltimore Orioles was his 1,627th regular-season victory as a New York Yankee.  Read more here from the New York Times.  Watch ESPN video here.

NYCFC, Yankees Outline Plans for Soccer-Friendly Yankee Stadium

The expansion New York City FC announced Monday that they will open their Major League Soccer (MLS) existence next year at Yankee Stadium.  Officials from both the soccer club and New York Yankees outlined the plans to turn the venue into one that is suited for both baseball and soccer games on a consistent basis.  Read more and watch news conference here.

New York City F.C. to Play at Yankee Stadium for Three Years

New York City F.C., a team that will enter Major League Soccer next year, will play its first three seasons at Yankee Stadium, according to a report in the New York Times.  Read more here.

Yankees President Defends Spending on Ballparks

Randy Levine, president of the New York Yankees, debates Mike McKee, Bloomberg’s Economics Editor, over the value of using taxpayers dollars to renovate or build new ballparks for spring training.  Watch debate here.

NHL Wraps Up Outdoor Hockey Series at Yankees Stadium

The 2014 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series wrapped up at Yankee Stadium Wednesday night, as the NHL’s New York Rangers defeated the New York Islanders 2-1.  Just four days earlier on Sunday afternoon, the Rangers beat New Jersey Devils 7-3 at the famous ballpark.  A total of 100,132 fans attended the two games.  Read more and view photo here.

Longtime Broadcaster Memorialized at Petco Park

A memorial service was held Saturday at Petco Park for Jerry Coleman, who served as broadcaster for the San Diego Padres for four decades.  Coleman, 89, died Jan. 5.  He won four World Series titles with the New York Yankees and was the only major leaguer who saw combat in both World War II and Korea, flying a combined 120 missions as a Marine Corps pilot.  Read more here.

Columnist Makes A-Rod Pitch for Forth Worth Cats

We have to wonder if Forth Worth Star-Telegram blogger/columnist Mac Engel has a bit of a man-crush on embattled New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, as the seemingly giddy-at-the-thought-of-it writer believes the indy pro Fort Worth Cats (United League) “need” to sign “our favorite son.”  Read more here.

Ducks Have Interest in A-Rod, Patriots Say No Thanks

You knew it was coming, but shortly after a MLB arbitrator suspended Alex Rodriguez for 162 Games for his alleged use of performance enhancing drugs, the Long Island Ducks (Atlantic League) opened the door for the embattled Yankees third baseman to play for the indy pro franchise during the 2014 season.  Read more here.  Meanwhile, the league’s Somerset Patriots rejected the idea in the

Plans Unveiled to Bring Tampa Yankees to Ocala

The New York Yankees and Ocala (FL) officials today outlined a tentative agreement to move the Single-A Tampa Yankees (Florida State League) from Tampa to Ocala, pending approval of a new $38 million stadium.  Read more and view photos here.

Groundbreaking Held for New UIC Baseball Stadium, Construction Underway

The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) held a groundbreaking recently for the new multi-million dollar baseball stadium now under construction for the UIC Flames baseball team and area youth programs.  The ballpark is being bankrolled by UIC alum and New York Yankess centerfielder Curtis Granderson.  Read more here.  Read construction update here.  Read original announcement here.

University of Illinois at Chicago rendering – Bird’s eye view of Granderson Stadium with Chicago skyline

Metallica Rocks Yankee Stadium for Retiring Rivera

Metallica appeared at Yankee Stadium Sunday to perform “Enter Sandman” live during a ceremony at Yankee Stadium to honor retiring New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera.  Read more and watch videos here.

Twins Present Rivera with Unique Retirment Gift

In a classy gesture during a pre-game ceremony at Target Field on Tuesday, the Minnesota Twins presented New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera with a pretty cool retirement gift — a one-of-a-kind rocking chair made from broken bats with the inscription, “Chair of Broken Dreams.”  Read more here.

Minnesota Twins Facebook Photo

Yankees in the Dark About New Dominican Park?

Apparently unbeknownst to the New York Yankees, the teams’ executive vice president and chief international officer Felix Lopez (who is also brother-in-law to managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner), was in the Dominican Republic on Monday for a press conference announcing a plan to build a new privately funded $50 million ballpark

Let ‘Free’dom Ring at the Ballpark

Brad Tuttle from Time magazine’s Business & Money section takes a look at the “game” being played by baseball fans in Miami and elsewhere who are finding ways to avoid paying a dime at the ballpark, whether it’s to punish an owner or simply save a few bucks on a tight budget.  Read more here.  Thanks to Joe Mock for the link.

NY Yankess Centerfielder Pledges to Build Baseball Stadium on UIC Campus

PRESS RELEASE – University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) alum and current New York Yankee centerfielder Curtis Granderson has pledged the funding for a new multi-million dollar baseball stadium on the campus of UIC.

Yanks Hit Again with MLB Luxury Tax

For the tenth consecutive year, the New York Yankees will pay a penalty for their payroll spending.  The team’s payroll cracked $222 million this year, resulting in Major League Baseball-instituted luxury tax of $18.9 million.  Read more here.

Yogi Berra Gets a Street

The city of Montclair (NJ) has honored Hall of Famer Yogi Berra with his own street…sort of.  A sign reading Yogi Berra Way has been added to Edgewood Terrace, which is an honorary rather than legal name change for the street.  Read more here.  View a photo of street sign here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the news.

Luzerne County, Lackawanna County Legal Battle Not Over

We never heard that Lackawanna County and Luzerne County ever settled their dispute over the sale of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees to Mandalay Baseball Properties and the New York Yankees, but we assumed it was still hanging out there.  Well, indeed it is, as Luzerne has just hired a Pittsburgh law firm to represent them in legal action against the neighboring county.  Read more here.

Thunder, Yankees Extend PDC

PRESS RELEASE – he Trenton Thunder and New York Yankees announced today that the player development contract (PDC) between the two teams has been extended to keep the Thunder as the Double A Affiliate of the Yankees through the 2022 season.

Freaky ‘Zim Bears’ in High Demand

Remember when then-72-year-old New York Yankees bench coach Don Zimmer was taken to the ground by Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez during Game 3 of the 2003 ALCS?  Well, Zim, a senior baseball advisor for the Tampa Bay Rays, is now more popular than ever — or at least his “cute” or “creepy” bear doll is.  The Rays recently gave away 10,000 “Zim Bears,” which have become very hot commodities.  Watch Len Berman video report here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.