Let the bidding begin, how high can it go?

[David Atkatz]

Originally Posted by thetruthisoutthere

The truth is we have no idea if Derek has already done something (aside from the 6-8 autograph items that I believe he gave the gentleman) or will do something for Mr. Lopez. There is a good chance that something will be done in a very discreet fashion.

Yeah, right. These guys pay publicists hundreds of thousands a year so that they can avoid good publicity.

[thetruthisoutthere]

Originally Posted by David Atkatz

Yeah, right. These guys pay publicists hundreds of thousands a year so that they can avoid good publicity.

Derek has never been one for publicity and I do believe that something will be done by Derek for Mr. Christian in a discreet manner.

I'm sure glad I don't have your attitude, David.

[David Atkatz]

You're free to believe whatever you want. My attitude? I'm sick to death of spending $400+ to take my kids to one stinkin' ballgame, while these guys build themselves gaziliion-square-foot mansions, sell their fans millions of dollars worth of manufactured celebratory crap, and all the while having as little contact with their fans--the people who make it all possible--as they possibly can.

Once again, f#@k 'em.

[thetruthisoutthere]

Originally Posted by David Atkatz

You're free to believe whatever you want. My attitude? I'm sick to death of spending $400+ to take my kids to one stinkin' ballgame, while these guys build themselves gaziliion-square-foot mansions, sell their fans millions of dollars worth of manufactured celebratory crap, and all the while having as little contact with their fans--the people who make it all possible--as they possibly can.

Once again, f#@k 'em.

Well, Dave, then stop going to games. These ballplayers get what they get because they can.

Dave, if you go to work tomorrow and your boss decides to triple your salary, are you going to refuse the salary increase?

I no longer go to games anymore because the prices are outrageous and I won't pay it. Whether it be the price of a ticket, parking or hot dogs, it's all ridiculous.

[David Atkatz]

Chris, I don't care if I never go to another game. Luckily for me, I was a kid at the right time. I spent much of that time at the real Yankee Stadium, going to games, and/or hanging out at the player's entrance, getting autographs. Those times are long gone, and the Stadium is, too.

But my kids, who don't know any better, want to go to the ballpark. Should I say no?

[thetruthisoutthere]

Originally Posted by David Atkatz

Chris, I don't care if I never go to another game. Luckily for me, I was a kid at the right time. I spent much of that time at the real Yankee Stadium, going to games, and/or hanging out at the player's entrance, getting autographs. Those times are long gone, and the Stadium is, too.

But my kids, who don't know any better, want to go to the ballpark. Should I say no?

Dave, times have changed. Friends have told me that the new stadium isn't as nearly as noisy as it once was and that's probably due to the fact that the blue-collar (and some white-collar) working people can no longer afford to go there any more.

Watch the game on TV and as the camera scans the stadium all you see are people on the cell phones; they aren't even paying attention to the game.

"The times they are a changin."

[Fuddjcal]

Originally Posted by David Atkatz

You're free to believe whatever you want. My attitude? I'm sick to death of spending $400+ to take my kids to one stinkin' ballgame, while these guys build themselves gaziliion-square-foot mansions, sell their fans millions of dollars worth of manufactured celebratory crap, and all the while having as little contact with their fans--the people who make it all possible--as they possibly can.

Once again, f#@k 'em.

While I'm not sure what I'd do with it, I feel your pain David.

As a life long Dodger fan who cancelled season tickets years ago. First, cut to a 20 game package, then a 10 game, then ala carte 5 games a year till McCourt came. Then I was done. I use the extra money now to collect.

The $15 parking got me at the time when he increased it from $7. So, I mostly travel to a ballpark or 2 a year and don't go to Dodger Stadium anymore despite the fact that my Dad worked on the building of it, amongst many more "unbelievable" memories. But they will have to stay memories.

I might have kept the ball for a little while at least to see how many special favors I could get from the wife, she's a Yankee Fan.

[brownscollector78]

how about demanding favors from one of derek jeter's assuredly hot girlfriends?

[calvindog]

The Yankees do nothing for their fans but suck their blood. It's sad but it's true. How many "3000 hit" t-shirts, baseballs, mugs, commemorative plaques, hats, etc. were on sale within minutes after Derek got the hit? The Yankees -- and Jeter -- are going to make zillions off it and they are the last on earth who need more money. And yet this poor kid is only getting his 15 minutes? And some signed items? How about Derek's signature on a check? I know it's unseemly to turn this just into a money grab...but isn't that what the Yankees do to us 365 days a year? Why shouldn't turnabout be fair play? Just one time!

[benjulmag]

The guy feels good about what he did, yet he's being criticized for it. How does the saying go-no good deed goes unpunished. Yes, I get it; the Yankees and Jeter are blood suckers out for the last buck any way they can get it. So all of us then are to stoop to that level. That's fine and I'd certainly be the last person to criticize anybody for doing that. In fact, I am so incensed about what tickets/parking/hot dogs/you-name-it cost that had I been in that fan's position I question whether I would have been so magnanimous. But he choose to take a different path, the high road I might call it. And I think he should be commended for it. Who knows, maybe the example he sets might encourage others to reciprocate in kind.

[calvindog]

Corey, no one is really criticizing the kid. What he's doing is really stellar; it's the Yankees (and all of MLB) which have turned a kids game into the money-obsessed machine it has become. Even in the days of skin-flint owners they still permitted real doubleheaders which cost them a day's gate receipts. Now? They don't exist anymore due to greed. I just think that the idea of giving the kid a few signed jerseys is sort of laughable when you see how the Yankees will fleece their fans by selling them $30 hats emblazoned with "DJ3K" on them. Why can't decency be a two-way street? For once?