"Look, we can't lose the next generation of Yankee fan because a father can't afford to take his kid to a game."
- Lonn Trost, July 13, 2008
“If you purchased a suite, do you want people in your suite? If you purchased a house, do you want people in your house?”
- Lonn Trost, May 12, 2009
Are you wondering why there is such a difference in those quotes? One was a media-trained Lonn Trost being profiled by a newspaper, the other was Lonn Trost being taken to task at a press conference. "Press conference Lonn" is probably a better indicator of his true feelings about the type of Yankees fan that the new Yankee Stadium caters to, as he wasn't prepped for the questions, and was speaking off the cuff.
"I practically lived in old Yankee Stadium, that's why, when the architect said, 'We're going to move right field in a foot,' I said, 'Oh, no, you're not.' To Yankee fans, those distances are sacred."
- Lonn Trost, July 13, 2008
Most of right field is shorter in the new park, by as much as 9 feet, but more typically by 4-5 feet
- Greg Rybarczyk (Hit Tracker Online) April 19, 2008
Apparently, Lonn Trost's architect punked him, because right field in the new stadium is most definitely shorter - and home runs are flying out because of it. That extra 9 feet probably allowed the Yankees to add 2 or 3 extra rows of $95 seats, so in Trost's mind, it was a no-brainer.
We don't take joy in anyone potentially losing their job, but when it comes to a weasel like Lonn Trost, we will admit that 1050 ESPN Radio's breaking news this afternoon actually brightened our day. Word that Randy Levine may be on the chopping block as well is icing on this fiery cake.
These two men have single-handedly disenfranchised thousands of Yankees fans with their out of touch policies and decisions. Babe Ruth, George Steinbrenner and Derek Jeter have all spoken about Yankees fans and how they one of the main reasons for the team's consistent success for over the years. With the new Yankee Stadium fiasco, Lonn Trost and Randy Levine seem to have lost sight of that important point, and they may lose their jobs because of it. If the reports are true, we wish Trost and Levine the best of luck in their future endeavors and pity the poor fools who allow them to ruin another organization.
Logging you in...
New York Sports Jerk · 828 weeks ago
Still, would be nice if he got this one right. Trost and Levine are clowns.
Mickey B · 828 weeks ago
Thank God for heroes like Bill Madden (insert snicker here) or NONE of this would have ever come to light!
Leonora · 828 weeks ago
Moshe Mandel · 828 weeks ago
YankeeRhody 0p · 828 weeks ago
I think that many fans feel that the Yankees had a blank slate to create an awesome experience for all fans, not constrained by the old building, and therefore a lot of these problems should not have occurred. For instance, couldn't they have created something so that the exhaust fans did not make noise in the upper deck? It's not like they were restricted in what they could do. And at every step they chose catering to the rich instead of regular fans. This BP thing was just the latest manefestation of this attitude. No one is saying that EVERYTHING is wrong with the new place, just that there are a lot of things that should not have occurred in the first place.
woodisgood · 828 weeks ago
2. The grandstand is PUSHED AWAY from the action—and seriously detracts from the intimidation factor + sound compared to the old stadium.
3. The food options (especially compared to Citi Field) are serverely disappointing. This is THE YANKEES fer cryin' out loud.
4. That insanely ridiculously large screen in centerfield is akin to the egos of the upper management of this team—it's TOO MUCH.
5. Anyone who buys into the "we knew ahead of time there'd be architectural shadows because of the sports bar" claptrap is in serious need of a brain colonic. Who believes that shit???
This belief that "Baseball is a business, get over it" is specious at best. Just because "it's a money-making business" doesn't mean they shouldn't take ALL fans into consideration, and it doesn't mean they should talk down to the fans.
I'm a lifelong Yankees fans. I've had a plan of some sort there since 1995. There are certainly things they did right at the stadium—but the things they did wrong, they did BIG-TIME wrong. And, sorry Ross, but I've not been your biggest fan. But one thing we both agree on is Lonn and Levine are slowly killing the aura of the Yankees.
woodisgood · 828 weeks ago
9nine9 · 828 weeks ago
JB413 · 828 weeks ago
This guy defending Trost must be his nephew or son or something....complete insanity to defend this jackass.
stadiumcritic · 828 weeks ago
Subway Squawkers · 828 weeks ago
As for the notion that we should not root for those two to lose their jobs, let's not forget how every seasonal worker at Yankee Stadium - from the beer vendor to the cashier to the ticket taker - lost their jobs last year thanks to Trost and Levine, no matter how much service these minimum-wage workers had at the ballpark. These staffers all had to reapply for their old positions and show whether they were worthy to work at the new stadium. Maybe the Yanks ought to apply the same standard to this gruesome twosome.
HorseRun · 828 weeks ago