New York Yankees
New York City Overview
New York City, arguably the best known city in the world, certainly lives up to the hype. Something is going on 24/7, 365 days a year. The city is made up of five boroughs (sections), those being Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island. The Yankees play in the Bronx and the Mets play in Flushing, a section of Queens.
There’s something for everyone in New York, and a long weekend visit is hardly enough. For those seeking Americana, there’s the Statue of Liberty and the United Nations building. Entertainment lovers have Radio City at Rockefeller Center, and the Ed Sullivan Theater, home of the David Letterman Show. There’s Times Square, Broadway, Central Park, and all the great neighborhoods.
Across the Brooklyn Bridge is the borough of Brooklyn, with a history all its own and now undergoing a burgeoning rebirth. Great restaurants are everywhere you turn, whether you’re craving a hot dog and fries or a 5 star dining experience. Give yourself ample time to explore all that New York has to offer, and bring your walking shoes … Manhattan in particular is great to experience on foot.
The Neighborhood – Yankee Stadium
New Yankee Stadium sits directly north across the street from the site of the “original” Yankee Stadium, which closed after the 2008 season. This is the upper Bronx, a far cry from the glitz of Manhattan. There are a few bars, souvenier vendors, and parking lots around the stadium, but nothing of any real distinction and certainly not worth lingering after the game.
The Ballpark
New Yankee Stadium opened in 2009 and it’s the most spectacular facility ever built for baseball. In every way, it’s larger and more imposing than the original.
Within the ballpark, there are several restaurants, including a steakhouse, sports bar, and a food court in the bleacher area. Aisles are wide, as are seats.
Many of the old Yankee Stadium traditions are intact, including Monument Park. There’s also a brand new New York Yankees museum, dedicated not only to Yankee history but the game of baseball itself.
From the upper deck in left field, there’s a spectacular view of the New York City skyline in the distance.
Ballpark Tours
Ballpark tours of new Yankee Stadium are available during the season. Tours run every 20 minutes from noon to 1:40 p.m. except on weekends when the Yankees are at home. There are other blackout dates, so check the Yankees website for details. Tours cost $20.
Historic Baseball Sites
The New York City area has a baseball tradition dating back well over 100 years, and baseball rooting passions run very deep. To this day, there are still fans of the New York Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers who can’t quite warm up to the Yankees or Mets. But most of the wounds have healed over time as generations pass.
Up through the 1957 season, there were three teams in the metropolitan area … the Yankees, Giants, and the Brooklyn Dodgers. As most baseball fans know, both the Giants and the Dodgers fled to California for the 1958 season, leaving behind a devastated fan base and two beloved, but aging ballparks. Both Ebbets Field and the Polo Grounds were gone within seven years of the Giants and Dodgers departures, but memories remain as well as a few small physical rememberances.
In upper Manhattan at the intersection of 155th Street and 8th Avenue sits a large group of low income apartment towers. Named the Polo Grounds Apartments, they stand on the former site of the Polo Grounds, home of the New York Giants through 1957 and a few years later the New York Mets (1962 and 1963). There is a plaque on one of the buildings commemorating the old ballpark, and the sandlot baseball field is named Willie Mays Field. Other than that, one would never know a ballpark stood on the site. Interestingly, if you look directly across the river, you’ll see new Yankee Stadium not far away.
Baseball fans will also want to check out Mickey Mantle’s Restaurant, on 59th Street across from Central Park. It’s a popular spot serving good food and drinks, and there’s tons of baseball memorabilia adorning the walls.
Yankees Tickets
Yankee tickets are notoriously tough to get, although some of the high priced seats in the new ballpark are going unused, although not necessarily unsold. In any event, it’s best to plan far in advance or get in with a sponsored group.
Public Transportation
Public transportation is the only way to travel in New York City and the surrounding boroughs. Traffic is usually a snarly mess, and although the subways are often congested and uncomfortable, it beats driving and parking. Cabs are plentiful and provide another option.
Getting to Yankee Stadium by subway is the best way by far. The subway station is 1/2 block from the ballpark and there’s always a crowd before and after the games. It’s about a 20-25 minute ride from mid town Manhattan.
Restaurants, Taverns, and Great Beer Bars
Narrowing down great beer bars in New York is like naming the best hot dog joint in Chicago or the best BBQ place in Texas. There are a lot to choose from and an argument usually ensues. That being said, everyone has their favorites and here are ten of ours …
Brooklyn Brewery: Located in a revitalized section of Brooklyn, this well known microbrewery has been featured in prominent beer publications as well as The Food Network. There’s a friendly, laid back tap room in which to enjoy Friday happy hour, or take a tour of the brewery, offered every Saturday and Sunday. We especially enjoyed the Brooklyn 55 Pennant Ale, a tasty pale ale named in honor of the 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers championship team. 79 N. 11th St., Brooklyn. Phone: 718-486-7422.
Chelsea Brewery: Located on the far west side of Manhattan, Chelsea Brewery is a brewpub offering great food and a view of the Hudson River and all the shipping activity along Pier 59. You can access the brewery via West Side Highway. Pier 59, #62, New York. Phone: 212-336-6440.
Blind Tiger Ale House: One of our favorite stops along Bleeker Street, an area where all the musical great of the 60′s played in various clubs. Walk in the footsteps of Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Cream, and Neil Young, and then pop in here for a great selection of draft beer. 281 Bleeker St., New York. Phone: 212-462-4682.
Burp Castle: It’s a funny name but they take their beer seriously at the Burp Castle. So seriously in fact, it’s called “A Temple of Beer Worship”. You get the drift. All kinds of selections on tap, with a particularly strong emphasis on Belgians. A great place to drink in the East Village. 41 E. 7th St., New York. Phone: 212-982-4576.
4th Avenue Pub: Not far from the Brooklyn Brewery is the 4th Avenue Pub, in a converted railroad apartment with a railroad architectural theme. There’s 24 beers on tap here and it’s a quiet locals place during the week that fills up on weekends. Open at 3 p.m. daily. 76 4th Ave., Brooklyn. Phone: 718-643-2273.
The Ginger Man: In a convenient midtown Manhattan location, The Ginger Man is a cousin to the famours Ginger Man beer bars in Texas. If you’re looking for an elusive beer on tap, this is the place to find it. They’ve got 66 on draught and the atmosphere is fun and inviting. 11 E. 36th St., New York. Phone: 212-532-3740.
Jake’s Dilemna: Our favorite bar on the upper east side. A real locals place where you’ll find everyone from lawyers to electricians to musicians and poets. 15 taps and a good place to while away a few hours. 430 Amsterdam Ave., New York. Phone: 212-580-0556.
McSorley’s Old Ale House: Our #1 choice in New York. If you love beer and you particularly love old saloons, McSorley’s should be your first stop. Open since the 1850′s, McSorley’s has a great old time feel, right down to the sawdust on the floors. There are two types of beer available, McSorley’s Lager and McSorley’s Dark. They’re made according to a special recipe by an east coast brewery and this is the only place they’re sold, and only on tap. The food here is an afterthought, but we enjoyed our burger and deli sandwich. Order by the phrase, “Four and Four”, which means four lagers and four darks. They’re served in 10 oz. mugs for $2.50 so knocking off a few isn’t difficult. We recommend going in for a late lunch to beat the crowds so you can really soak in the atmosphere. 15 E. 7th St., New York. Phone: 212-473-9148.
Mugs Ale House: Another good choice in Brooklyn. 24 taps with an impressive variety, like Anchor Liberty Ale and Brooklyn Chocolate Stout. 125 Bedford Ave., Brooklyn. Phone: 718-486-8232.
Waterfront Ale House: Not on the water at all, but this place is so good it doesn’t matter. Perfect for lunch. They serve upscale pub food (try the BBQ) and the beer selection is top notch. It’s located mid town Manhattan and there’s another in Brooklyn. We visited the Manhattan location. 540 2nd Ave., New York. Phone: 212-696-4104.
