NYY Stars and Pinstripes: Yankee Stadium Experiences: 2011 Yankees Opening Day

Rain had been in the forecast for the Yanks opener, but not even the weather cold hold back the excitement of opening day. The area around Yankee Stadium was packed with fans wearing Yankee jerseys, caps and jackets.

Instead of taking mass transit, my father and I choose to drive into the Bronx. Around 155th street, the police had sectioned off the street, and were no longer allowing cars to head towards the stadium. We were forced to park in the old parking garage that use to located next to the old Yankee Stadium. It had been talked about during the winter, but I can now confirm that parking is indeed $35 bucks. I had noticed that with the price increase it did seem like the lots, I saw were really empty.

It was about 45 minutes prior to the first pitch, but outside the stadium was packed. From fans holding up signs and yelling about Cliff Lee, to the long lines to get into the stadium. Luckily the lines moved quickly, and I was back into the stadium for the first time in five months.

I headed to the upper deck, where my seats were, but I noticed that with the cold rainy conditions not many fans were sitting in their seats, but rather were in the bars outside the stadium or in the different clubs that Yankee Stadium had to offer.

Not much has changed with the stadium for 2011, although I noticed that just like in the main level the Yanks have added pictures to the beams in the upper deck.

The stadium was empty while the Tigers were announced, and unlike past years their was no big roar from the crowd as any special Yankees were announced other then the usuals like Jeter, Mariano, A-Rod and Cano.

Even though, most of the fans were still just making their way to their seats, the park had an electric feel to it as a large American flag was held in center field and they had a jet fly over the stadium.

The game was as text book as could be, with CC Sabathia giving the Yankees a strong outing, and Mark Teixeria bashing a three run shot.

With the cold weather, many fans choose to abandon their cold plastic seats for the warmth of indoor areas or the concourse. Although up on the grandstand level the concourse was like a giant wind tunnel, and much worse then the seated area.

As the Yankees blew the small lead they had gained on the Tigers, the game began to drag a bit, but Curtis Granderson, who had already made a few nice catches smashed a home run into the second deck in right, and just like that the Yanks had a lead they could hand over to the bullpen.

Rafael Soriano made his bombers debut and impressed, and then Mariano came in to close the door on a 6-3 Yankees victory.

It was a quick exit out of the stadium, due in part since the stadium had been clearing out for innings prior, on the way back to the car some "Boston Sucks" chants could be heard in the distance on River Ave.

After the game I sat in 2 1/2 hours worth of traffic, but the feeling that baseball was back at Yankee Stadium made for it all worth it.

Some of the views from Yankees 2011 Opening Day vs the Tigers: