Tonight's Lineup and Some Injury Updates

Here's tonight's lineup:

Brett Gardner CF
Robinson Cano 2B
Vernon Wells LF
Lyle Overbay 1B
Ichiro Suzuki RF
Jayson Nix SS
Chris Nelson 3B
David Phelps P
Austin Romine C

Since that was somewhat depressing, here's some better news on some injured Yankees:

David Robertson is ready to return.

Ivan Nova is also on his way back from that inflamed right triceps. He will pitch in an extended spring training game and if there are no problems could join the team in Cleveland.

In the same NY Post article linked above it was reported that Mark Teixeira will test his right wrist with on-the-field batting practice this Friday. He's already hit off the tee and taken grounders. Curtis Granderson had five at-bats in an extended spring training game. Both are still probably a month away, maybe less. And Francisco Cervelli is going to have his cast removed soon and will resume baseball activities in five weeks.

Things are ugly right now as far as the roster goes, but with the Yankees 5 games above .500 I think we all should be pretty happy with where this team is right now.

In ticket related news, our ticketing partner TiqIQ now offers Yankees ticket exchange, the official resale marketplace of the New York Yankees to offer you even more deals on Yankees tickets.

Yanks Blame StubHub For Attendance Drop

From Josh Kosman:

Yankee Stadium attendance is down 3.6 percent so far this year — greater than the 3 percent drop last season — and the team is blaming StubHub for its gate woes.

“We believe there are serious issues with the StubHub relationship,” team president Randy Levine told The Post yesterday. “We are actively reviewing more fan-friendly alternatives for next year.”

The Bronx Bombers and other Major League Baseball teams have bellyached about StubHub for a couple of years — as more fans turn to the low-priced online reseller for tickets instead of buying directly from the team.

The Yanks and other teams claim tickets are priced too low on StubHub.

...

Compared with last season’s total average attendance, the Yanks’ 25-game average is off 9 percent.

Overall, MLB attendance is up 7 percent. Much of that is due to the Miami Marlins moving into a new stadium.

Plus, the Yanks had been the first or second best-selling MLB team through their first three seasons in the new stadium. This year they are only the fifth best-selling team.

To me, having plenty of affordable tickets is as "fan-friendly" as it gets, but I guess "fan-friendly" was a euphemism for something else.

The Yankees shouldn't blame StubHub for their problems drawing fans and then take it out on those fans by ridding the market of those affordable tickets. There are reasons the fans no longer want to go to games, but StubHub is not one of them. Maybe knocking down a piece of American history to put up a billion-and-a-half dollar knock-off wasn't necessary. Maybe steadily pricing the average fan out of most of the good seats was also mistake. And maybe combining those things with a new penny-pinching approach to free agency was the worst move of all, if of course selling tickets was the goal.

Ticket Price Increase Hits Creatures Hard

From Flip Bondy:

Many Bleacher Creatures are now being asked to shell out as much as $1620 for a full season ticket plan next season, up from $15 to $20 per game, and are beginning to wonder how much longer they can afford to populate Section 203.

“People are groaning about going from $972 to $1620 (for the full 81-game plan) just because Nick Swisher waves at us,” said Mike Donahue, a long-time Creature. “As the economy gets worse, the deforestation begins.”

...

Many Creatures already were dismayed this season to discover that half-season ticket plans only entitled them to purchase tickets to half the playoff games.

Not only will the Creatures face this price increase, but they'll do it while prices for 70% of the other seats in the stadium stay the same. Wow, what a joke. It's like the morons in the GOP are running this team.

Yet another example of big business raping the little guy. Sadly, in this case, that evil big business happens to be our favorite baseball team.

Info About Tonight's Rainout

Via the Yankees:

Tonight's postponed game will be made up as the second game of a day-night doubleheader to be played on Sunday, September 25 at 6:30 p.m. at Yankee Stadium.

***THE ONLY TICKETS VALID FOR SUNDAY’S 6:30 P.M. GAME ARE TICKETS DATED SEPTEMBER 23.***

Fans holding paid tickets for Friday's game may use them for the rescheduled game or exchange their paid tickets for any regular season game at Yankee Stadium during the 2012 season (subject to availability). Tickets for Saturday’s 4:10 p.m. game vs. Boston and Sunday’s 1:05 p.m. game vs. Boston are sold out.

Fans holding Complimentary tickets (COMP) for Friday's game must use them for the rescheduled game on September 25 at 6:30 p.m. Complimentary tickets (COMP) or equivalent tickets bear no cash value and do not have any additional benefits that may be offered to ticket(s) with a dollar value.

For complete information about the Yankees’ rainout policy, please visit www.yankees.com/rainout.

With respect to tickets purchased through StubHub, please visit www.StubHub.com, call 866-STUBHUB (866-788-2482) or e-mail customerservice@stubhub.com for complete information about StubHub's rainout policy.

Pitching Matchups & Ticket Prices vs. Orioles

Pitching Matchups

Game 1: Tonight @ 7:05 PM | TV: YES | Radio: WCBS 880
RHP A.J. Burnett (8-8, 4.21 ERA) vs. RHP Jeremy Guthrie (4-14, 4.33)

Game 2: Saturday @ 1:05 PM | TV: YES | Radio: WCBS 880
RHP Bartolo Colon (7-6, 3.29) vs. LHP Zach Britton (6-7, 4.05)
(Game 1)

Game 3: Saturday @ 7:05 PM | TV: YES/MLBN | Radio: WCBS 880
TBA vs. TBA
(Game 2)

Game 4: Sunday @ 1:05 PM | TV: YES | Radio: WCBS 880
RHP Freddy Garcia (9-7, 3.23) vs. RHP Jake Arrieta (9-7, 5.02)
And here are the average and low ticket prices for all four games courtesy of the fine folks over at TiqIQ:

For tickets to any of the Yanks-O's games, click here.

Pitching Matchups & Ticket Prices vs. Mariners

Pitching Matchups

Game 1: Tonight @ 7:05 PM | TV: YES | Radio: WCBS
RHP Freddy Garcia (8-7, 3.21) vs. LHP Jason Vargas (6-8, 3.94)

Game 2: Tuesday @ 7:05 PM | TV: MY9/MLBN | Radio: WCBS
RHP CC Sabathia (14-5, 2.62) vs. RHP Doug Fister (3-11, 3.30)

Game 3: Wednesday @ 1:05 PM | TV: YES | Radio: WCBS
RHP Phil Hughes (1-2, 9.47) vs. RHP Felix Hernandez (8-9, 3.47)

And here are the average and low ticket prices for each game of the series:

If you'd like to purchase seats for this series or any other Yankees games this season, click here.

Pitching Matchups & Ticket Prices vs. A's

Pitching Matchups

Game 1: Tonight @ 7:05 PM | TV: MY9 | Radio: WCBS 880
RHP Phil Hughes (1-2, 8.44) vs. RHP Travor Cahill (8-8, 3.16)

Game 2: Tomorrow @ 1:05 PM | TV: YES | Radio: WCBS 880
RHP A.J. Burnett (8-7, 4.19) vs. RHP Rich Harden (1-1, 5.00)

Game 3: Sunday @ 1:05 PM | TV: YES | Radio: WCBS 880
RHP Bartolo Colon (6-6, 3.34) vs. LHP Gio Gonzalez (9-6, 2.33)
Also, from the fine folks over at TiqIQ comes this graphic highlighting the average and low ticket prices for each game of the series:

For tickets to these games or any other Yankees games, click here.

Individual Tickets Go On Sale March 11

Here's the release from Yankees.com:

Tickets for individual games to see the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium will go on sale to the general public on Friday, March 11 at 10:00 a.m. at yankees.com and yankeesbeisbol.com, and via Ticketmaster phone only at (877) 469-9849 and Ticketmaster TTY at (800) 943-4327. Beginning Monday, March 14, tickets may also be purchased at the Yankee Stadium Ticket Office, all area Ticketmaster outlets and all Yankees Clubhouse Shops.

The 27-time World Champion Yankees will begin their 81-game home regular season schedule on Thursday, March 31 at 1:05 p.m. vs. the Detroit Tigers.

The Yankee Stadium Ticket Office is located outside Yankee Stadium adjacent to Gate 4 on the corner of 161st Street and Jerome Avenue. Beginning Monday, March 14, the Yankee Stadium Ticket Office will be open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. On game days during the season, the Yankee Stadium Ticket Office will be open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until two hours after the scheduled first pitch and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. until two hours after the scheduled first pitch.

As in past years, the Yankees will make available individual-game ticket value programs throughout the 2011 season. A complete list of ticket specials, including game dates, seating locations, and terms and conditions, can be found at www.yankees.com/ticketspecials, by calling (212) YANKEES [(212) 926-5337] or e-mailing tickets@yankees.com. Please note that all ticket specials are subject to availability.

You can also buy individual tickets through the TiqIQ widget located on the right sidebar.

A New Place (on Twitter) For All Your NYC Ticket Info

I wanted to pass along this cool (and more importantly, useful) Twitter feed along to you guys. It comes from the folks at TiqIQ and is called TiqFeed NYC (@TiqFeed_NYC).

If you don't know, TiqIQ is company that aggregates tickets listings from some of the top ticket brokers in the country and makes those tickets available to fans all in one place. Besides providing the tickets themselves, they also use their "IQ" system to rank each ticket so that the buyer can see just how good (or bad) a deal they're getting. It really makes things very easy for the buyer.

They've partnered with many blogs and websites (You may have noticed the widget on the right or the posts on RAB) and now they've started a new Twitter feed called TiqFeedNYC and tweet out ticket info and deals from around the net for all NY sports teams. There's lots of good info coming out of the feed and if you attend sporting events in the NY area I suggest following these guys.

Yanks Release Some 2011 Ticket Info

.... And it can all be found here.

Playoff Tickets Go On Sale Tomorrow

Here's the press release from the Yankees:

Tickets for potential 2010 American League Division Series (ALDS) and American League Championship Series (ALCS) games at Yankee Stadium will go on sale to the public online at yankees.com and via Ticketmaster phone at (877) 469-9849 and Ticketmaster TTY at (800) 943-4327 on Wednesday, September 29 at 10 a.m.


Please note that ALDS and ALCS tickets will not be available for purchase at Yankees Clubhouse Shops or through Ticketmaster outlets.


Due to the limited number of tickets available for sale, those purchasing tickets will be limited to two tickets to one game of the ALDS or two tickets to one game of the ALCS, subject to availability. Orders exceeding the assigned ticket limits will be cancelled without contact from Ticketmaster or the New York Yankees.


Tickets purchased via the Internet for Division Series Home Game 1 and Home Game 2 must be purchased utilizing "print at home" technology. There will be no option for Will Call or express shipping.

2010 Postseason Ticket Prices

Here's a screenshot of this year's postseason pricing. It's very similar to last year's.

(click to enlarge)

For a more in-depth breakdown, check out this post over at NYY Stadium Insider.

Modell's Now Offering Game Day Tickets

Here's some of the press release via LoHud:

The New York Yankees and Modell’s Sporting Goods announced today that the sporting goods retailer’s newly renovated flagship store, located at 234 W. 42nd St. in Times Square, will be home to the world’s only New York Yankees ticket booth offering same-day game tickets for prices that are up to 50 percent off face value.

Beginning Monday, August 16, select tickets will go on sale on the day of Yankees home games, starting at on 8:00 a.m. for day games and 12:00 p.m. for night games, and will remain available for sale while supplies last.

...

“This is a great opportunity and service that we are thrilled to offer to New York Yankees fans. Whether you are visiting and looking to take in a game at the world-famous Yankee Stadium or a New Yorker making last-minute plans on a game day, the new ticket booth is conveniently located at Modell’s Times Square to offer amazing deals on game tickets,” said Mitchell Modell, CEO of Modell’s Sporting Goods. “We expect the new service to be an instant hit with local fans and tourists alike.”

...

The much sought-after tickets will be limited to four per person, per game and can be purchased exclusively at Modell’s Times Square on the day of Yankees home games with any major credit card beginning at 8:00 a.m. for day games and 12:00 p.m. for night games. Tickets are limited and subject to availability. Ticket policies and ticket booth hours of operation are subject to change.

Good idea.

Mets Giving Away Ticekts to Subway Series Games

According to USA Today, the Mets have been giving a limited number of highly priced seats to former season tickets owners in hopes that it will draw them back to Citi Field.

Mets executive Dave Howard said that the Mets, with their "declining attendance figures under scrutiny," have offered the free tickets to a select number of former season-ticket holders.

Mets attendance is down from 38,941 last year to just 31,891 this season. I guess when attendance drops like that you've got to be creative. But I'm very surprised that these games aren't sold out of close to it. I guess many people are just as bored with the Subway Series and interleague play as I am.

Eat Some Ice Cream, Win Some Yankees Tickets

Got this in my email from the folks at Turkey Hill Ice Cream and wanted to pass it along.

YANKEES SWEEPSTAKES TICKET GIVEAWAY OFFERS FANS CHANCE TO CHEER ON TEAM

Turkey Hill Dairy gives portion of sales to support youth throughout New York City

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (April 20, 2010) – The champions are back and after a historic 2009 season, New York Yankees fans have another reason to celebrate as the 2010 season kicks-off. Turkey Hill Dairy, the “Official Ice Cream Sponsor of the New York Yankees,” is offering fans a chance to win free tickets to Yankees regular season home games.

Eighty-one winners will be chosen through a bi-weekly drawing to win four tickets to a regular season game. Turkey Hill Dairy will also award a grand prize that, in addition to the game tickets, will include dinner with a former Yankees player at NYY Steak—Yankee Stadium’s signature restaurant. In addition, Turkey Hill is introducing new commemorative packaging honoring the team’s 27 World Championships, and featuring Turkey Hill’s Vanilla Premium Ice Cream.

“Last year, the Yankees had a fantastic season, and we know part of that was due to their supportive fans cheering them on to victory,” said Turkey Hill President Quintin Frey. “By giving away tickets again this year, we hope Yankees fans will bring just as much spirit to the games.”

To enter the ticket sweepstakes, fans can look for the entry code on specially-marked packages of Turkey Hill’s Yankees Bronx Bombers Sundae or Pinstripe Brownie Blast ice cream flavors, and enter the participant code at turkeyhill.com/yankees. A portion of the proceeds from the sales of the Yankees flavors will be donated to support the Kips Bay and Madison Square Boys & Girls Clubs in the Bronx. The club helps to improve and enhance the quality of life of youth throughout New York City.

Turkey Hill’s Yankees flavors are available at Yankee Stadium and in retail stores throughout the tri-state area. Bronx Bombers Sundae features chocolate ice cream with chocolate cookie swirl and chocolate-covered crunchies, while Pinstripe Brownie Blast features vanilla ice cream with brownie batter swirl and brownie pieces.

Individual Game Tickets Go On Sale Friday (Updated)

I wanted to add another update to this post, the Yankees had this press release today announcing Friday's sale:

Tickets for individual games to see the defending World Champion New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium will go on sale to the general public on Friday, March 19 at noon at www.yankees.com and www.yankeesbeisbol.com, and via Ticketmaster phone only at (877) 469-9849 and Ticketmaster TTY at (800) 943-4327. Beginning Wednesday, March 24, tickets may also be purchased at the Yankee Stadium Ticket Office, all area Ticketmaster outlets and all Yankees Clubhouse Shops.

As in past years, the Yankees will make available individual-game ticket value programs throughout the 2010 season. A complete list of ticket specials, including game dates, seating locations, and terms and conditions, can be found at www.yankees.com/ticketspecials, by calling (718) 293-6000 or e-mailing tickets@yankees.com. Please note that all ticket specials are subject to availability.

• E-Saver Games - Fans can register at www.yankees.com/esaver to receive weekly e-mail ticket offers for E-saver Games available only to Yankees e-mail subscribers.
• $5 Games - For select games during the 2010 season, fans can purchase tickets in select areas of the Terrace and Grandstand Levels and Bleachers for $5. Tickets for $5 Games may be purchased in advance or on the day of the game. (Excludes all Premium Games*.)
• Family Games - Families can enjoy specially priced tickets on designated Monday through Thursday games in April, May and September. Tickets may be purchased in advance or on the day of game. (Excludes all Premium Games*.)
• Senior Citizen Games - Senior Citizens (60 and older) can purchase $5 tickets in designated seating locations for select Monday through Thursday games. Tickets may be purchased ONLY on the day of the game at Yankee Stadium Ticket Windows outside Yankee Stadium, adjacent to Gate 4, subject to availability. All tickets are sold on a first come, first served basis. A valid form of identification must be presented at the time of purchase. (Excludes all Premium Games*.)
• Student Games - For select games during the 2010 season, students who present their valid high school or college ID cards when purchasing tickets can receive one half-price ticket in designated seating locations. Tickets may be purchased ONLY on the day of the game at Yankee Stadium Ticket Windows outside Yankee Stadium, adjacent to Gate 4. (Excludes all Premium Games*.)
• Youth Games - All fans 14 and younger, when accompanied by an adult, can purchase half-price tickets in designated seating locations for Saturday games. Tickets may be purchased ONLY on the day of the game at Yankee Stadium Ticket Windows outside Yankee Stadium, adjacent to Gate 4. (Excludes all Premium Games*.)

* The term "Premium Games" is defined as the Opening Day game, the Old-Timers' Day game (July 17 vs. Tampa Bay) and all games played against the Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets.

The 27-time World Champion Yankees will begin their 81-game home regular season schedule on Tuesday, April 13 at 1:05 p.m. vs. the Los Angeles Angels.

The Yankee Stadium Ticket Office is located outside Yankee Stadium adjacent to Gate 4 on the corner of 161st Street and Jerome Avenue. Beginning Wednesday, March 24, the Yankee Stadium Ticket Office will be open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. On game days during the season, the Yankee Stadium Ticket Office will be open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until two hours after the scheduled first pitch and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. until two hours after the scheduled first pitch.

(Update) Just wanted to update this post with a letter that SWB season ticket holders received which confirms what Leonora wrote yesterday.

Dear XXXXX,

Well, now they’ve gone and done it.

The New York Yankees just had to bring home their 27th World Championship. You know what that means? We’re going to have to wait in really, really long lines for tickets this year.

Except for you, of course.

YOU GET TO CUT IN LINE
In recognition of your continued participation and support, you get an exclusive opportunity that not too many get: first dibs at New York Yankees tickets — before the general public.

Yup! That is not a typo.

As a Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees season ticket holder, you get the exclusive opportunity to purchase New York Yankees tickets onWednesday, March 17, 2010, from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. — before they go on sale to the general public on Friday, March 19, 2010.

(original post)

A few people have asked me about this over the past few days so I felt I had to get this out to you guys. According to Leonora from the excellent The Girl Who Loved Andy Pettitte blog, and backed up by Chad Jennings, individual game tickets will go on sale to the public this Friday via Yankees.com and Ticket Master. She's a SI Yankees season ticket holder, and in an email she received today they let the cat out of the bag.

Leonora says "no time given but I would assume noon since the Wed sale is noon and so was today's." That sounds about right to me. As soon as the Yankees release something official I will update this post, but Friday is the day.

Spring Training Tickets Go On Sale Today @ 10 AM

Tickets to all Yankees home spring training games go on sale this morning at 10 AM. You can purchase tickets at Yankees.com.

Here's the schedule:

Pittsburgh Pirates	Wed, Mar 3	1:05 pm
Tampa Bay Rays	Fri, Mar 5	1:05 pm
Toronto Blue Jays	Sat, Mar 6	1:05 pm
Philadelphia Phillies	Mon, Mar 8	1:05 pm
Pittsburgh Pirates	Tue, Mar 9	1:05 pm
Atlanta Braves	Thu, Mar 11	7:05 pm
Baltimore Orioles	Sat, Mar 13	1:05 pm
Houston Astros	Tue, Mar 16	7:05 pm
Tampa Bay Rays	Thu, Mar 18	7:05 pm
Detroit Tigers	Fri, Mar 19	1:05 pm
Detroit Tigers	Sun, Mar 21	1:05 pm
Washington Nationals	Wed, Mar 24	7:05 pm
Philadelphia Phillies	Fri, Mar 26	7:05 pm
Detroit Tigers	Sun, Mar 28	1:05 pm
Toronto Blue Jays	Tue, Mar 30	7:05 pm
Minnesota Twins	Wed, Mar 31	1:05 pm
Baltimore Orioles	Fri, Apr 2	1:05 pm

Limited Number Of WS Tickets Go On Sale Today

The Yankees will be selling a limited number of 2009 World Series tickets to games that will be at Yankee Stadium (if they close out the Angels) starting this morning at 10:00 a.m. They will only be sold on Yankees.com and the sale will last until 9:00 a.m. on the day of the first game, but we all know these tickets won't last more than a few hours. Tickets will not be available at the Clubhouse Shops, on Ticketmaster, or via phone.

Here's more from the official press release from the Yankees:

Due to the limited number of tickets available for sale, those purchasing tickets will be limited to two tickets to one game of the World Series, subject to availability. Orders exceeding the assigned ticket limits will be canceled without contact from Ticketmaster or the New York Yankees.

Tickets purchased via the Internet for Yankee Stadium World Series Game 1 and Game 2 must be purchased utilizing "print at home" technology. There will be no option for Will Call or express shipping for Game 1 and Game 2.

In a continuing effort to create additional opportunities for fans to attend 2009 postseason games at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees will make 59 Café seats per game on the Field Level concourse available for $156 per ticket and approximately 220 standing room tickets per game for dedicated standing locations on the Field and Main Levels available for $104 and $93, respectively, per ticket.

Fans are encouraged to visit yankees.com for complete postseason ticket information, including the refund procedure for any unplayed games.

Good luck scoring some tickets.

No Backpacks Allowed In Stadium For Playoffs

Yesterday, the Yankees announced that no backpacks would be allowed into Yankee Stadium during the postseason. The same rules that had been in effect for most of the time since 9/11.

They did allow backpacks towards the end of the season, but have bumped up security efforts for the playoffs, and I can't blame them. So if you're going to the game and need to carry things with you, either bring a large clear plastic bag, or leave your bag at one of the bars or the bowling alley on River Ave.

Reminder: Playoff Tickets Go On Sale @ 10 AM

You can attempt to get your playoff tickets by going to Yankees.com. For more info on playoff ticket sales check out this post from Friday.