As the 2008 baseball season has begun, emotions were running high during the Yankees home opener last night.  As the saying goes, “Good things come to those who wait.”  That’s exactly what happened. 

     The fans in the stands aren’t the only ones crying.  Some die-hards at home will be crying, but for a different reason.  It is getting harder and harder to buy a Yankee ticket at a cheap price. 

    It’s only going to get tougher as we begin a new era…. in a new stadium.

     I have been wearing Yankee pinstripes since birth.  Buying tickets to see them play is only becoming more difficult.

     I hate the lottery system to buy tickets to premium games.  I think it’s ridiculous to have to be picked for the right to buy tickets.  Who knows whether or not the lottery is fixed.  It’s not going to eliminate scalping.  One rude ticket representative said, "This system makes it easier on us."  Without the fans, there wouldn’t be a team, but we don’t seem to matter.

     The Yanks host the All-Star Game this year. The same representative told me that I wont be able to go, because mlb and season ticket holders get all of the tickets.  All I want to do is see a game.  Is that too much to ask?    

     The Yankees announced their parking prices, and changes, through 2010 earlier this month.  I can’t remember when parking at the stadium was cheap, but things are getting out-of-hand and down right ridiculous.

     The upcoming season is the Yankees’ last year in the current Yankee Stadium.  The parking price is increasing from $14-$17 per car.  For opening year at the new Yankee Stadium, in 2009, the fee will be $19.  In the past, gradual two dollar-increases have been the norm.  My jaw dropped when I heard of the ten dollar-jump, to $29 for the 2010 season.  The ticket prices are difficult for the average family to afford.  Now, they’re spending a fortune before even getting out of their car.

     One of the biggest thrills that fans can currently enjoy is seeking autographs as the players walk from their lot to the press gate.  In the new stadium, that’s not going to be possible.  The fans wont have any interraction with the players before entering the gates.  We’re getting less for more.  I guess A-Rod needs to get his $30.5M per year somehow.

     After watching Roger Clemens appear on "60 Minutes," I didn’t know what to think about his position in the steroid scandal.  While Clemens claims that the injections, that his trainer administered, were only B12 and lido cane he appeared very defensive, which makes me doubt his credibility.

     The Rocket is about to launch off of the hot seat and testify in front of Congress.  Hall of Fame Electee Goose Gossage said, "Clemens is no different than Bonds," which concerns me, because Bonds could face thirty years in prison for perjury at his Congressional hearing.   Regardless, Gossage had nothing to do with the situation, so he should have kept his mouth shut.  Like Bonds, Clemens is a potential Hall of Famer, who may have just ruined his chances. 

     Last week several players were named in 400-page report regarding the use of performance enhancing steroids.  Among the athletes were New York Yankee Veteran Pitchers Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte.

      I was shocked to learn that these two veteran superstars were, from the Yankees, were involve in this report.  Clemens and Pettitte have both been driving forces in the success sof the Yankees in recent years.  I couldn’t believe that Pettitte’s name and steroids would ever be used in the same sentence.  Although he’s a great pitcher, he’s not the biggest or best in baseball.  He looks like an All-American athlete everytime he takes the mound.  On the flipside, does Clemens’ Hall of Fame numbers make him an automatic suspect.

     Commisioner Selig said that each player involved will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.  It’s going to be very interesting to see how this affects the Bronx Bombers in the 2008 n season.

     Many Yankee fans are delighted that LHP Andy Pettitte put his retirement on hold.  He signed a one-year deal, to pitch for the Bombers in 2008, worth $16M.   

     I couldn’t be happier.  The fact that he was contiplating retirement made me feel like a piece of the Yankee puzzle was going to be missing.  Also, this is more meaningful, because two time Cy Young Award Winner Carlos Santana might not be in pinstripes for the 2008 season.  The Yankees still have an interest in aquiring him, but other teams such as the LA Angels of Aneheim do as well.  The Yankees proposed an offer that would send Melky Cabrera, Phil Hughes, and a prospect to Minnesota.

     It will be interesting to watch the negotiations continue over the coming days. 

     I am counting down the days until the 2008 baseball season.  The Yankees are trying to figure out who’s in and who is out.  One thing is certain…. Mariano Rivera is back.

     Chills run down my spine as Rivera enters the game, for the bottom of the 9th, in a sold-out Yankee Stadium.  Fifty-five thousand strong stand to the tune of "Enter Sandman," as he trots in from left field.

     Although Rivera had a rocky season last year, he’s still dubbed one of the best relievers ever.  The thought of him not returning made me nervous.  Rivera is a cruicial part of this team.  With the signing of a new 3-year $45M deal  I expect good things from Rivera in years to come.

     Performance enhancing steroids have played a role in sports throughout the years.  Many athletes have set records that were disputed.  Steroids played a role in the abilities of athletes, such as Mark McGuire and Jason Giambi.  Most recently, Barry Bonds passed Hank Aaron’s All-time homerun record.  Currently, Bonds’ homerun total is at 762 long balls.

     Bonds is facing possible legal trouble.  He faces perjury charges and, if Bonds is convicted, could face thirty years behind bars.  Commisioner Bud Selig is watching the legal procedings very carefully.  Many people, including Commisioner Selig, want New York Yankee Alex Rodriguez to pass Bonds’ homerun total.  This past season A-Rod became, at 31, the youngest player to join the 500 homerun club.  Rodriguez resigned, with the Yankees, for an additional 10 years worth $275M.

     It frustrates me to see athletes use performance enhancing drugs to set records.  Other greats never reach these plateaus.  It seems like they get punished for playing by the rules.

     I can only hope that Major League Baseball continues to enforce the rules more strictlt, so more athletes that set records truly deserve them.

     As an avid New York Yankees fan, I’m watching every move the team makes during the off-season.  It can be nailbiting at times.  I fear big name players jumping ship, because they’re not happy about having a new manager at the helm in 2008.

     Starting Catcher Jorge Posada announced that he will accept a deal worth $52.4M over the next four years.  He’s one of the best catchers in the game and not too many players compare.  In the past, Posada has established himself, as aS an american league all-star, who is a clutch hitter batting over .300, and very effective at throwing runners out stealing. 

     Without Posada, the team would suffer. I’m excited, because Posada is back in pinstripes where he belongs.

     Ever since Joe Torre signed his $13M deal with the Dodgers, there have been Yankee players that don’t have the same enthusiasm, as they have in the past, to wear the pinstripes next season.  Veteran Left-Handed Pitcher Andy Pettitte recently opted out of his contract, worth $16M, for 2008.

     Before announcing his free agency, Pettitte stated, "If I play baseball in 2008, it would only be for the Yankees."  He continues to say, "If I don’t play for the Yankees, I will retire.  Pettitte has been a very instrumental role in the Yankees most recent championships.

     Now, the Yankees need to decide who they should sign to fill the vaccant spot in the starting rotation.  I fear that with Pettitte leaving it’s a recipe for disaster.  I hope he reconsiders, because he means so much to all New York Yankee fans and it’s dificult to find a player that even comes close to the athleticism  and sportsmanship of Pettitte.  With all of the money that the team is saving on A-Rod opting out, they better not settle for anything less than the best…. Pettitte.