Dejected Orioles, thanks to Yankee Bats & Weather
We’re often quick to criticize the Yankee front office and ownership when they do something silly (Hank? Anyone seen Hank?), stupid (like criticize the team’s franchise player) or just plain baffling (like sign overused relievers to multi-year deals). But it isn’t often that we take the time to acknowledge them when they do something that reminds us the Yankees remain the classiest organization in all of MLB.
The latest example of that came about the other night. If you weren’t there or weren’t paying attention, the Yankees hosted the Orioles on what may have been one of the ten worst nights in history to play a baseball game. (Yankees won 7-1, by the way). The wind chill was in the low-30’s for the entire game, and when it wasn’t foggy there was a steady drizzle of what felt like wind-driven pellets. Often, there was both. It stands as a testament to loyal Yankee fans that anyone bothered showing up for the game. The announced crowd of 42,171 obviously included a lot of people who didn’t venture into the elements, since there is no way there were 32,000 people in the stands – let alone 42,000+.
Under different circumstances, the game might have been called due to weather. It certainly wasn’t ideal conditions to play a game and I’m still surprised none of the players wound up with a pulled anything afterwards. But that would have meant the third postponement in the Yanks first seven home games – something no team wants to do.
But the Yankees, midway through the game, announced everyone with a ticket could use their stub to either get a free ticket or 50% off a ticket for the high-rent district (excluding suites) to ANY other game. It’s a simple gesture of thanks to the 42,000 people who bought a ticket to a game that nobody should have been forced to watch outdoors. And one that will cost the Yankees every penny they made from this game – and possibly more, depending on how many of those $5 bleacher seats wind up getting traded in for a half-off ticket in the 200 level. I can’t think of another team that’s willingly thrown away a game’s gate.
Class? You betcha. Thank you, Yankees.
M. B. Rozell
Kevin Rozell
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