NewsJays excited to see Yanks' new park
Toronto (42-38) at New York (45-33), 1:05 p.m. ET
By Jordan Bastian / MLB.com
07/03/09 12:49 AM ET
TORONTO -- Rod Barajas has plenty of fond memories about playing in the old Yankee Stadium. After all, the Blue Jays catcher got to experience the old ballpark during October, helping Arizona defeat New York in the 2001 World Series.As far as Barajas is concerned, though, change can be good.
"Sometimes, you've got to go with something new," Barajas said.
On Friday, the Blue Jays will open a four-game series at the new Yankee Stadium -- Toronto's first trip to New York's upgraded home across the street from the old House That Ruth Built. After more than two months and 80 games, Barajas is excited to finally get a close look at the new home of the Yankees.
"It's something I've been waiting for the whole season," Barajas said. "Seriously, I really wanted to check that out. That was the first thing I checked for on the schedule, to see when we go to New York just so I could take a look around. I'm excited.
"From what I've heard, the place is unbelievable. We've talked to guys from other teams that have already gone in there, and they say it's the best, that it's amazing -- everything about it."
Count Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston among those who are happy to say "So long" to the older ballpark in the Bronx. Gaston said he loves New York and has nothing but respect for the Yankees. He just never was a fan of the old Yankee Stadium.
"What was to like about it?" asked Gaston with a laugh. "All it has is history. Otherwise, it was a dump. The clubhouse was not good. But there's a lot of history there, so I respect that. I respect the Yankees organization. A lot of people don't like them, but I respect George [Steinbrenner] and what they try to do every year.
"They try to win every year. He goes out and he spends the money and he tries to give that city a chance to win. I do respect all the things they've done, but as far as the ballpark, I didn't like the ballpark. I hope that doesn't offend them."
Gaston was then asked about Fenway Park, home of the Red Sox. At that, Gaston chuckled.
"I take it back," Gaston said, laughing. "Yankee Stadium is 400 times better than that place."
The new Yankee Stadium will likely suit Gaston's tastes a bit better, as long as the ball isn't flying off New York's bats while Toronto is in town. Much has been made of the increased home run totals at the new ballpark -- another aspect that the Jays are interested in witnessing for themselves.
"That's going to be something we're all looking forward to seeing," Gaston said. "I'm looking forward to seeing that ball travel, and I hope it's traveling for us -- not so much for them."
Barajas said it's been hard not to hear about the way the new ballpark has played power-wise.
"I've been watching," he said with a smile. "Obviously, the ball carries well there. As a right-handed hitter, in the old Yankee Stadium, it played pretty normal. It seems like this field, that left-field side is going to be a little better to hit to than the old stadium. I think it's going to make the game more exciting. More runs -- fans like that."
Pitching matchup
TOR: LHP Brian Tallet (5-5, 4.47 ERA)
Over his past six appearances, Tallet has gone 2-2 with a 4.86 ERA, issuing 16 walks and striking out 24 over 33 1/3 innings.
Burnett is 4-2 with a 1.75 ERA over his past six starts, during which he's compiled 42 strikeouts and 20 walks in 36 innings. Bird feed
The Blue Jays entered Wednesday ranked first in the Majors with only 28 errors this season. Toronto had a streak of 11 consecutive errorless games (116 1/3 innings) snapped on Tuesday. Dating back to May 22, the Jays have only committed seven errors, representing the fewest in baseball over that span. ... On Wednesday, the Blue Jays wore red hats and red jerseys with "Canada" in place of the players' names on the back in honor of Canada Day. ... Third baseman Scott Rolen singled with one out in the sixth inning on Wednesday, extending his career-best hitting streak to 19 games. ... The Jays finished June with a 12-14 record, marking the club's second losing month in a row. It's the first time Toronto suffered back-to-back losing months since July and August in 2006. ... On Tuesday, left-hander Brett Cecil made his first career relief appearance, logging two-thirds of an inning against the Rays. With an off-day on Thursday, the Blue Jays chose to skip Cecil's turn in the rotation and use him as an extra arm in the bullpen. Toronto won't need Cecil to start again until Tuesday on the road against Tampa Bay. Tickets
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• Saturday: Blue Jays (Roy Halladay, 10-2, 2.56) at Yankees (Chien-Ming Wang, 1-6, 10.06), 1:05 p.m. ET
• Sunday: Blue Jays (Scott Richmond, 6-5, 3.69) at Yankees (Joba Chamberlain, 4-2, 3.89), 1:05 p.m. ET
• Monday: Blue Jays (Ricky Romero, 6-3, 2.85) at Yankees (Andy Pettitte, 7-3, 4.38), 1:05 p.m. ET
Jordan Bastian is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
