Yeah, I know, I haven’t written anything in a long time. I suck. I know. Let’s move on.I was lucky enough to get tickets for the Home Run Derby on Monday and thought I would share my thoughts and observations from the evening.

Ø Before the new stadium was being built, parking sucked around Yankee Stadium. Now? And with a major event taking place? I think it took as long to find a spot than it did actually driving from the burbs to the old stadium.

Ø Thanks to the stadium for the press pass-like plastic holder for the ticket. Makes me feel as important as Steve Phillips. But with more baseball knowledge and less tailored suits

Ø Nice to see so many kids there – of course, none of them were able to watch the game the next night since the actual game didn’t start until about 8:45 p.m.

Ø I liked how many of the players also brought their kids onto the field during batting practice. I thought I saw Corey Hart and Dan Uggla leading around their children. Later on, Joe Girardi brought a little Girardi on the field.

Ø BTW – if you are Corey Hart, how do you resist not blaring Sunglasses at Night or Never Surrender whenever you come to bat?

Ø Matt Holliday gave just about every ball that he retrieved in right field during batting practice to the fans. He deserves massive credit for that. I would personally like to give him the MVP from last year that should have been his in the first place.

Ø I love how Yankee fans booed the taped trivia question asked by Jason Varitek. If Curt Schilling came up with Middle East Peace, there would be Yankee fans that would show up at the press conference and boo him. Of course, that’s about as likely as an NL victory these days.

Ø Before the event began, Yankee radio announcer John Sterling interviewed Derek Jeter on the field. Jeter was put on the spot to make a prediction – he picked Josh Hamilton. I did as well.

Ø Oh yeah, Reggie Jackson got the first standing ovation of the night. And if he wasn’t a few sheets into the wind, then I have completely lost my touch.

Ø Guess what – the Home Run Derby is somewhat boring. Who knew!

Ø Thank the Gods on Mount Olympus that those of us in the stadium were spared from Chris Berman and Joe Morgan. They are the main reason I usually skip this event each year on TV. We got Yankee TV announcer Michael Kay instead and I must say, I love Michael Kay, but he was totally going through the motions. He appeared to want to be ANYWHERE but there. He would rather have been home watching So You Think You Could Dance?, rather than dealing with the badly written script that he was handed.

Ø So two guys in David Wright jerseys filed into the row of seats in front of me, thus causing about 7-8 people to have to stand up…before they realized that this was in fact the wrong row. On their way out, one of the guys in the row said to them, “Seven Train next time, guys.” Classic.

Ø So the fans started to boo Evan Longoria as he struggled. If the Yanks turn their season around and make a World Series run…I hope those fans remember Evan Longoria as Game Seven is played in the Bronx rather than in Wrigley. Or Shea.

Ø OK – Lance Berkman started to wake up the crowd a little bit. The boo birds peeped again during the first half of Ryan Braun, before he started to seriously launch a few.

Ø And then came Josh Hamilton. I won’t go into too much detail here – you have all seen the blasts that he hit. You all saw the hysterical antics of Edinson Volquez, David Ortiz and Milton Bradley during the hour-long power display. You all saw the 12-13 or so in a row that he hit. You saw the fan reach over the wall to grab a ball that was eventually not ruled a HR. How many of you shouted – JEFFREY MAIER!!!, besides me? Leave it to the Bleacher Creatures to find a reason to shout ASS-HOLE during a Home Run Derby.

Ø Some kid made an amazing catch in the outfield. Great hand from the crowd.

Ø I finally found a hot dog vendor and as he is passing my dog down the aisle Hamilton launches one that hits the back wall of the stadium – over the bleachers – on a fly. My friends miss the shot and think the ball went out of the ballpark. In between bites I try to explain. Hamilton would later hit the TV screen on a fly and almost hit the sign that would have won a million bucks for a fan.

Ø He also sends a shot into the black in center field. Some kid runs in there to get the ball and is hunted down and likely maimed by the NYPD.

Ø Kay announces that Hamilton should try to go to left field. He does and almost puts one in the bullpen.

Ø Josh gets an idea of what it would be like playing here someday as the Stadium chants his name. Free Agent at age 33, folks.

Ø Did we really need the rest of the competition? That was worth the price of admission…well, sort of. For me it was fine since the ticket was free, but somebody paid for that seat!

Ø You ever see this story - http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2008/apr/30/cwu-softball-players-help-injured-opponent-touch/ - you could also get the video on YouTube. Long story short, girl blows out her knee on a homerun and the other team carried her around the bases. The story is more heartwarming than that summary sounds. Anyway, the three girls were at the game and got a standing ovation at Yankee Stadium and almost brought tears to my eyes.

Ø Before the final round I ask my friend what kind of odds I could get for Morneau to win. My biggest missed opportunity since I said this sentence – “I love the Giants in the Super Bowl.”

Ø On the way out, a VERY drunk Marlins fan is in the crowded runway getting in the face of a group of Mets fans. I just know I am about to become collateral damage. Anyway, Uggla Fan is shouting, “Frak the Mets!” The Mets fans are responding with the logical – “Frak the Marlins!” And so on. There is some pushing and some shoving and I am looking for a way down through the bars. That jump doesn’t seem too bad. Finally, the NL East rivals look at each other and sudden realization hits…”FRAK THE PHILLIES!”

Ø We get out – make a stop at Mister Softee for a going-away milkshake and move on. A good time had by all.

Ø The sad part…this was likely my last time inside the great Yankee Stadium. While it is truly not the House that Ruth Built, but rather the House that George Rebuilt for Ruth, it is still home for all of those ghosts. I will really miss this place. The new park will probably be amazing in its own right and I feel confident that it will start to chalk up its own magic thanks to Joba and Crew for some years to come…but something will never be the same about it.

Ø I guess it is a sign of age when you say it won’t be like the good ole days. My son will never know another Yankee Stadium than the new one…I guess he’ll have to listen to the old man ramble on about it like our dads went on about the Polo Grounds. Oh well…

Ø I could go for another one of those milkshakes…