The Shot Heard 'Round New York

A-Rod's 600th

Anyone in New York yesterday -- at least anyone not in a subway car -- likely knew what happened yesterday at precisely 1:30 p.m.: Yankee third baseman Alex Rodriguez ("A-Rod") hit his 600th home run.

In restaurants, on the street, in cabs, in line at grocery stores -- virtually the moment A-Rod struck the ball, a spontaneous jolt of cheering erupted.

And at the stadium -- where I happened to be with my son, nephew, and father-in-law, sitting in the right field bleachers -- that jolt was . . . an electrifying roar.

(Other) NY Impressions

One of the reasons virtually everyone in the city knew about A-Rod's homer the moment it happened is that flat panel TV's -- not to mention iPhones and the like -- are everywhere.

Sitting in a taxi, you watch "Taxi TV"; at the Whole Foods in the Time Warner Center, a bank of flat panel TV's directs you to the next open register.

Even at Yankee Stadium, hundreds of flat panel TV's are suspended in the ceiling above the seats, at intervals of every 20 feet or so (the effect is a less cramped version of what airplane passengers experience).

Yankee Stadium

As exciting as A-Rod's homer was, I was actually more impressed by Yankee Stadium itself.

I haven't been to Target Field yet, so I can't make any comparisons.

However, sitting inside the new Yankee Stadium feels like being on the inside of a hollowed-out wedding cake -- a very elaborate, five layer wedding cake (that's literally how many levels there are).

The only difference is that this wedding cake has baked into it multiple, horizontal "ribbons" of electronic displays -- carrying non-stop, constantly changing messages and ads.

If you didn't arrive at the stadium with ADD, you might leave with it.

Virtually the second A-Rod touched home plate, the stadium cum marketing machine immediately began hawking souvenirs and other memorabilia commemorating the event.