Trying to Explain the Right Field "Wind Tunnel"

I am no physicist. I couldn't tell you why there were 20 home runs hit in just four games at the stadium thus far with 14 of them hit to right field. Could it be that there is a wind tunnel phenomenon taking place in right field due to the open concourses and the shape of the upper deck? It has been a hot topic for the last couple of days and everyone seems to have their own interesting opinions on it.

-Accu-Weather.com has an interesting take on the possible wind tunnel effect taking place.

-ESPN's Buster Olney is convinced there is a problem that needs to be addressed immediately.

-CNBC's Darren Rovell think the home run boost could be extremely marketable for the Yanks.

While some of the homers hit looked like certain pop outs off the bat (Asdrubal Cabrera's grand slam off Anthony Clagget and Mark Teixeira's home run off Fausto Carmona come to mind), I would like to hold my judgement until we see this home run boom continue over a span of 20-30 games rather than just looking at 4.

-Favad Ali

It's a Wash

Tonight's opener against Oakland has been postponed due to rain. No makeup date has been announced as of yet. Stay dry everyone.

This message was brought to you by Chien Ming Wang

Party Pooper

I personally have seen enough of Jose Veras. Do we really need a 4A pitcher in the game pitching in high leverage situations? Lets get Melancon up here! Send Veras back to the minors where he belongs. Better yet trade him...or waive him. As long as we don't have to see him ruin games any longer.

New Stadium, New Hope

Today is the day. After a lengthy road trip, the Yankees are finally home. They will open their brand spanking new ballpark with all the pomp and circumstance that one would expect from the Yankees. Kelly Clarkson will sing the national anthem. There will also be a military performance of stars and stripes forever in honor of the opening of the original stadium in 1923 which had the same performance. Among those in attendance will be 40 former players including Reggie Jackson, Goose Gossage, Whitey Ford, Paul O'Neill, Bernie Williams, David Cone, and the list goes on and on. Yogi Berra, to no surprise will throw out the first pitch. There will be a few other special appearances at today's procession including Willie Randolph and of course, the boss, George Steinbrenner.

Mike Lupica writes that the opening of the new stadium will usher in a new era of Yankees baseball.

George King anticipates the opening ceremony to be done with the utmost of style.

Apparently, there will also be a game played today. CC Sabathia will take the mound and throw the first official pitch in new Yankee Stadium history. He will be facing his former team, the Cleveland Indians. Last year's Cy Young award winner, Cliff Lee will be pitching for the Indians. He is off to a slow start to the season as he is 0-2 with a 9.90 ERA in his first two starts of the year.

It should certainly be a memorable day the stadium. It should be a memorable season at the new stadium. Nothing would be better if the Yankees could take all of the enthusiasm and excitement the new stadium has brought and use it to propel them back to prominence and erase the memories of the last few seasons full of disappointment. The new stadium signifies a new beginning and a new hope.

-Favad Ali

The Legend of The Swish Continues to Grow

Another big night for newcomer Nick Swisher, as he not only hit his third home run of the season, he also pitched a scoreless inning and recorded a strikeout. 

In other news the Yankees were bombarded by the Rays as Chien Ming Wang has suddenly forgotten how to pitch. He was rocked once again, this time to the tune of 8 earned runs while recording only three outs. The Yankees went on to lose the game 15-5. Wang's ERA has ballooned to 28.93 (15 ER in 4.2 IP). Wang's ineffectiveness is a major cause for concern. You have to think if he continues to fire blanks in this fashion, we may see the return of Phil Hughes or even Ian Kennedy real soon.

BOX

Another return seems imminent as there was an Alex Rodriguez sighting before the game. It's time to jump for joy! I am not by any means the biggest A-Rod fan/supporter/apologist etc. But I think all Yankee fans have seen enough of Cody Ransom...(.083/.154/.125)

Yanks Ready for Rays

The defending American League Champion Tampa Bay Rays will welcome the Yankees to the Trop for a 3 game set starting Monday night. Chien Ming Wang will look to bounce back from his poor first outing in Baltimore as he will be countered by left-hander Scott Kazmir. The Yankees will watch from the dugout as the Rays will be raising their American League East Champions and American League Champions Banners. This will be the third of four season openers the Yankees will take part in. The next and final one will be to open their season opener at the New Yankee Stadium against Cleveland later this week.

It will be interesting to see if the Yankees will show the same respect and class as they have in the past for Red Sox banner raising ceremonies. Mark Teixeira is not expected to start once again, as he is still hampered by that sore wrist. I’d like to see Joe Girardi give Ramiro Pena a start at third over Cody Ransom. Ransom has not been playing well both at the plate and in the field. At the very least, you should get better defense with Pena in the field. The Yankees are banking on Swisher and Cano to continue to carry the lineup in Teixeira’s absence. Otherwise, it could be a long day as Kazmir owned the Yankees to the tune of a 2-1 record with 1.06 ERA in 3 starts against the Bombers last season.

Exclusive Photos of the New Yankee Stadium

I know these are a few days late. But maybe, these pictures will divert you from thinking about today's loss to the O's. 

Photos Courtesy of Chris Siswo

Special  Jersey Hardball Correspondent

Welcome to the New Yankee Stadium

YESnetwork.com has some great pictures of the Yankees getting their first taste of the new Yankee Stadium. Follow the link for the pictures.

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