Just a few weeks ago I was given the opportunity to serve my borough and support justice. I sat where many men and women sat before me assisting the judicial system as a Bronx County Juror. Oh what a feeling of accomplishment and moral satisfaction it was to march through the metal detectors of the south Bronx Courthouse and accompany 7 other Bronxites to the juror’s seats to the stage right side of the honorable Dominick Massaro. It was a simple trip and fall case; the plaintiff was lying and received not a cent.

Although I cannot ridicule the experience enough I will say it granted me the opportunity to take the 4 train to the 161st station and see the final touches being put on our new stadium. The courthouse sits just beyond the white fence that lines the right center field wall behind the bleachers of the old stadium. The downtown 4 train takes a rather sharp turn after 167th street and gives the passengers a view of the new stadium along with a peek inside at the field and seats, mimicking what happens when the train passes the classic stadium just three blocks later.

As a Bronx boy born and raised I feel a certain attachment to the Yankees and their Stadium. It’s often the only reason people shed positive light on trips to the Bronx (along with the zoo). I can’t tell you how many times the question, “Ever been to the Bronx?” has be answered with, “well, I’ve been to Yankee Stadium” as if asking me if that counted as an official visit. This attachment leaves me with an eerie bitter sweet feeling about the new stadium. As happy as I am that the Yankees will be playing in the Bronx for the rest of my life, I’m a little scared that the new stadium will backfire.

 A new stadium can equal great things for fans of a sports team; look at the Baltimore Orioles. The best thing to happen to that franchise (could even say city) since Brooks Robinson was the construction of Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The place is the essence of beauty leading the new breed of baseball stadiums as it played host to the end of Cal Ripkin’s Hall of Fame career and helped Baltimore compete toward the end of the 90’s (new stadiums don’t fix frugal owners, sorry Charm City). The reason it worked so well for the O’s is because they were a failing franchise playing in a crappy stadium—remember the beauty of Memorial Stadium? Me neither. That stadium not only led the way for places like Petco Park, Jacobs Field, and Safeco. Park etc. it also rejuvenated a city and a ball club.

 Despite not making the playoffs last year I wouldn’t say the Yankees their fans or the Bronx needed rejuvenation. If anything the new Stadium has done nothing but hurt the Bronx (follow up article coming soon), taking away parks from the neighborhoods and money from the citizens. As for the fans, they couldn’t be stronger. We’re all dangerously excited for our new rotation, and can’t wait to hear the crack of Teixiera’s bat. There are Yankee fans in every corner of the world and we’re strong, baseball loving fans that don’t need any pep talks or motivation. And as for the team needing rejuvenation, they’re the Yankees…THE YANKEES! They’ll be fine.

 I recognize that this entry is coming a little too late but there really isn’t much going on in Yankee Nation as we near spring training’s end: we beat the sawks yesterday and Nady beat out Swisher for the RF job (Surprise? Not really considering Swisher hit .219 last season for the White Sox and was benched by Ozzie Guillan in September). But I had to write something about this because as opening days grows near the realization that Yankee Stadium isn’t Yankee Stadium anymore digs deeper and deeper into my little baseball heart. It’s not the place where Lou Gehrig gave the Luckiest Man speech, or where the greatest football game ever was played. It’s not the place my grandfather use to tell me about or the place where I went to my first big league game. It’s not the place that was home to the Mick, Joey D, Yogi, Whitey, Thurman, Mr. October, or Don. It’s just not Yankee Stadium.

 I’m going to do my best to do what Jeter said and bring my memories, excitement and tradition right across the street to the new stadium but my mourning period isn’t over yet. I’m still in the middle of transferring  my memories of Don hitting it to the Black seats, Wade riding the Horse, Hayes catching the final out, Wells being perfect, Cone being Perfect, and four rings in five years.

 I hope that tradition can be easily moved across the street. I hope the Yankees can add a W to their 59-25 Yankee Stadium opening day record. I hope the new stadium and new team can follow the winning and dominating tradition. I hope the seats aren’t filled with out of town CEO’s and trust fund babies and that there’s still room for the Yankee fans that have always filled the seats.

 The new stadium looks gorgeous and I’m sure there are many World Series’ to be hosted there in the future (near future). I can’t wait to take my first self led tour around the new baseball castle and see what the modern day Yankee Nation will be cheering and jeering in. I just hope A-Rod and Teixiera build half as good as the Bambino.