Thoughts From My First Yankees Home Opener and Jeter’s Last

Apr 7, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees former players

(left to right) and

and

talk with New York Yankees shortstop

(2) after the ceremonial first pitch before the start of an opening day game against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium. Jeter announced in February that he will retire following this season. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

One of the things that you want to do as a fan of your baseball team is to attend a playoff game and attend your team’s home opener. Back in 2010, I was able to attend a playoff game and finally this year, I was able to attend the home opener (sorry work). You get a different look at baseball when you’re at the stadium rather than watching it on your couch. So here are some takeaways from the game.

1. The laws of physics don’t apply to the Stadium. Heat is supposed to rise but the upper deck in Yankee Stadium is a wind tunnel. By the sixth inning, I went and got a winter hat even though I had 4 layers on. (It’s not like I won’t wear it ever again)

2. It was great to see the “Core Four” out there again. Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte certainly looked like they could still pitch. Maybe Mo would come out of retirement with David Robertson on the shelf? Ehh. Probably not.

3. Derek Jeter had the loudest ovation of anyone, but second had to be Yangervis Solarte. The way he’s been producing so far, plus the fact that he’s a bit of an underdog story is making him a fan favorite.

4. If Mark Teixeira is out for longer than a couple of weeks, the Yankees will have to address first base somehow. Kelly Johnson has a long ways to go and almost cost the Yankees a couple of times. Once when he didn’t stretch far enough to pick Solarte’s throw and then he ranged too far over to second base on a ground ball. Granted, this is the first time he’s playing there, but he needs some work.

5. If you have a chance to go to a home opener sometime down the road, do it. You won’t regret it.