Billi Pod Blogs: YANKEES/DIAMONDBACKS==>VERY EMOTIONAL

Wednesday==>It was a very emotional time last night out at Yankee Stadium, The House That Greed And Ego Built.

Before the game started there was a ceremony honoring the victims and survivors of the Boston Marathon Tragedy (as shown in this picture) and then in the 3rd inning was the playing of Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline,” a staple at Fenway Park.

In response to this Diamond tweeted: “Thank you NY Yankees for playing ‘Sweet Caroline’ for the people of Boston. You scored a home run in my heart. With respect. Neil #OneBoston.”

The headlines in today’s paper ...

“ONE FOR BOSTON. Yanks honor bomb victims before victory of D-Backs.” - back page of the Daily News

“BRONX TEARS. Yankees deliver emotional tribute to Boston rivals.” - back page of the NY Post.

The game itself was very exciting. The weather was OK. To honor Jackie Robinson all players wore the number 42. The Yankees won 4-2 on a 3-run homer by Robinson Cano, who was named after Jackie Robinson. Then in the top of the 9th Mariano Rivera, the only active player permitted to wear the number 42, came in and recorded the 611th save of his career.

In the name of fair and unbiased reporting I have to share that there were lots of empty seats at all levels of the stadium. The announced attendance was 34,107. I think the real attendance was much less than this number. A sellout would be 50,951, so this was only 67% of capacity.

I don’t know if this was a result of concern over the Boston tragedy or what. I do know that it felt and looked eerie.

Anyway ... tonight is the second game of the series. On the mound for the Bronx Bombers will be our ace CC Sabathia (2-10) vs. Wade Miley (2-0) for Arizona.

Today is a doubleheader for your favorite blogger, starting with an Off Broadway show ...

3:00==>WHO’S YOUR DADDY - “The playwright and performer’s uplifting and funny true story of his adoption of a Ugandan orphan. No one expected the single, gay, out-of-work actor to ever become a father.” (Off Broadway - complimentary ticket)

This is playing down at The Irish Repertory Theater on West 22nd Street.

Then, for the evening is ...

7:30==>NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA @ Avery Fisher Hall - The program is:

Bernstein - Serenade, featuring violinist Joshua Bell;

Ives - Symphony No. 4; and,

Rouse (who??) - Prospero’s Rooms (World Premiere)

(concert - subscription series)

I love Joshua Bell. He is such a crowd pleaser. I have to admit to having a bad feeling in my gut about the “World Premiere” work by Rouse (who??). We will just have to see.

Hopefully the weather will be nice so I can walk back to PHC after the concert is over while listening to the final innings of the Yankees/Diamondbacks game on my trusty but now very ancient Walkman.

I want to close this posting by sharing with you loyal and faithful readers and followers one of Billi Pod’s true loves.

What am I talking about I know you are all anxiously asking your inner selves? Well ... selves ... this is it ...

Billi Pod is totally, 110%, IN LOVE WITH ... tada ...

Pat’s Ho-Made BBQ Sauce

Yes, there, I’ve admitted it. My son, Bill III aka The Bill, turned me on to this addictive product several years ago. It is awesome, it really is.

The only problem ... it is very difficult to find, even down in Florida, where it is sometimes in the Publix stores. Of course, it isn’t carried anywhere up here in The Big Apple, The Greatest City In The World.

It can, however, be purchased online at ...

http://www.parkesdale.com/product/Gifts%20and%20Baskets/Dressings%20.%20Marinades%20.%20Salsas/Pat's%20Ho-Made%20BBQ%20Sauce.html

I urge you to give this a try. If you do, you won’t be disappointed, trust your favorite blogger on this.

Time to post this and then get ready for a brief walk and wander session before my matinee.