Mike McCann's Field of Fotos

Dennis and I decided to pull off our own "separate admission" doubleheader yesterday by following the Mets noontime game at Citi Field with a drive to Trenton, NJ to catch the Yankees double-A farm club. Waterfront Park is built alongside the Delaware River in New Jersey's capital city. Nice location, easy access. 50 minutes from Staten Island! A long-standing featuire of minor league and spring training parks -- the starting lineups written by hand posted in the concourse. (Below) We made a good choice -- this was the only night this week without heavy evening thunderstorms. On the mound for the future Yankees, lefthander Wilkin DelaRosa. 10-3 last year but hit hard last night. Wearing #48 and considered the top offensive prospect in the Yankee organization, 19 year old catcher Jesus Montero. Nice batting stance, hits with power (he singled in the game's first run). A later at-bat didn't work out as well. I paid special attention to him with the idea that three-...

A rare sunny, clear and rain-free day in New York yesterday. Noontime game at Citi Field with the Mets hosting Colorado. And no shortage of air traffic over Flushing, Queens.

Just as its predecessor did, Yankee Stadium rises out of its Bronx neighborhood. Not quite as famous as Wrigleyville, or the area surrounding Fenway Park, it's clear this is an urban ballpark. This is the view heading south on 161st Street, after leaving the D-train. The number-4 (elevated) subway runs behind the new stadium. One of the new details is a series of large posters displaying the names, numbers and pictures of the current Yankees. One of the least liked features of the new Stadium is Monument Park. This shrine to Yankee history is now shoehorned into the space under the restaurant that helps serve as the batter's eye in center field. Now, a distinctive feature is downplayed and downgraded -- the monuments and plaques are rarely seen on TV and far less frequently serve as the landing spot for home runs. Back to the number-4 train. A post-game view of the glowing Stadium from the station.

The Dodgers rolled into New York with their lineup boosted by the return from suspension of Manny Ramirez. Close to a sellout at Citi Field and a busy night in the sky -- I counted 5 planes passing over the ballpark during the top half of the 2nd inning alone! The dreadlocked slugger brought his big bat to the city he called home as a teenager. But the thunderous chorus of boos made it clear he was playing in enemy territory. Our view tonight is from the press box... it's on the Excelsior level, near our usual seats, but a few sections closer to home plate. The same spacious feel... but a little easier angle to follow the game. Unlike press boxes from older stadia, which often hung from the front of the middle deck, this one is recessed -- with luxury seats placed in front -- pushing the media contingent farther from the action. OK, back to our center of attention. The Dodgers left a ton of runners on base (Mets starter Oliver Perez walked 7 in 5 innings). So leading off the top of...

My colleague John Weber decided to stretch his holiday weekend to include Monday's afternoon game at the Phillies' Eastern League farm club in Reading. Turned out he picked an ideal day: (Above) Phillies all-star left fielder Raul Ibanez was beginning his rehab assignment. Though he went hitless, he felt no pain or twinges from his recent groin injury. (Below) the organization's top pitching prospect Kyle Drabek was making the start against the Connecticut Defenders. Of course, being part of the Phillies organization means a mascot is a must. This red fella's nickname is Mascot (I guess Phanatic Pharmhand is a little "too" much).

With basketball on hiatus for the summer, New Jersey native Jack Nicholson was at Yankee Stadium to follow his second favorite team and sport. During the pre-game rain delay, the camera crew that provides shots for the in-house video screens found him. Ever the performer, Jack had an eye on the scoreboard and quickly reacted. Of course, Jack might have been easy to spot. With prices for the best seats still going for $1250, about half the area local sportswriters have dubbed "the moat" remain empty for most games.