Looks like Derek Jeter takes care of his pals. Apparently he has such a large flock that he wanted anyone who came to see to get the best seats possible. That won’t be difficult with the new Yankee stadium. He leased a box that was ” big enough for 12” and cost in the range of “$600,000-$850,000.” Needless to say it is all luxury, right down to the opulent hot dogs and lavish beer available. (She says snarkily.)

My first question was: did he get an employee discount at least?

NOPE!

Still, good to see Jeter showing some love for his friends. Is it too late for me to be one of those?

Image: Bauer-Griffin

The New York Yankees played their first official game at the new Yankee Stadium on Thursday. For six innings, everything seemed to be going fine. Then the Cleveland Indians exploded in the seventh inning and ruined the party.

New Yankee Stadium (Image: Newscom)

The the game tied at one, the Indians scored nine times in the top of the seventh and then held on for a 10-2 victory. The win bettered the Indians record to 3-7, while the loss sent the Yankees to 5-5.

In the seventh inning, the Indians got a solo shot from Victor Martinez and a grand slam from Grady Sizemore. Kelly Shoppach, who had an RBI double to get Cleveland on the board in the fourth inning, added a one-run single in the seventh.

For the Yankees, their two runs were courtesy of a Jorge Posada homer in the fifth and a Robinson Cano single in the seventh.

Cliff Lee, last year’s Cy Young award winner in the American League, got the win for Cleveland by pitching six innings and giving up only one earned run. C.C. Sabathia pitched 5.2 innings and also gave up only one run.

Through the weekend, Yankees and Indians will play three more times at the new Yankee Stadium.

Friday night: Reds beat Yankees 4-2.
Saturday afternoon:  Reds blank Yankees 6-0.

This weekend was the first time that the Cincinnati Redlegs played at Yankee Stadium since sweeping the Yanks in the 1976 World Series. Can this please not be the last? They’re on a 6 game winning streak in this stadium dating back to that time. A friend of mine (a Yankee fan) said that the Reds were more excited to be there than the Yanks. Whatever. A win is a win and they don’t come often in Redleg country. And this happened on the debut of Daryl Thompson. How would you like to get your big league debut in Yankee Stadium and beat the home team?

Now I have a proposition. Being a Reds fan, how bout instead of tearing down Yankees Stadium, we keep it up for Redleg away games. The Yankees can have their new stadium too. The old one can be the Reds home away from home. Just trying to get a winning season here.

[Image via Newscom]