Mike McCann's Field of Fotos

Thanks to the heroics of Matt Garza, Rocco Baldelli, Willy Aybar and David Price, the Rays claimed the spot opposite the Phillies in baseball's fall classic. A contrast of clubs, hometowns and yes... ballparks. They Rays reside at Tropicana Field, likely the last permamently-domed/artificial turf-laden park ever built. (Thanks to Peter King of CBS for the view.) The Phillies have the retro-designed Citizens Bank Park, which keeps you on top of the action -- albeit with some entertaining bells and whistles (watch the neon Liberty Bell when the home team smacks a home run!) And thanks to the thirst of the game's hierarchy, this is how we'll see the park during the fall classic -- night games only! For those who can afford the tickets (I attended the 1980 series at Veterans Stadium sitting in lower level reserved seats for $25 a pop, a quaint memory), but prefer something beyond the standard fare of hot dogs and Buds, may I suggest a pair of local landmarks: Tampa's renow...

Lloyd Thaxton passed away a few days ago, after a full and rewarding life. When you read the name, maybe your first thought was, "Who did he play for?" Knowing the topic usually discussed here, perhaps he was a teammate of DiMaggio, Berra and Rizzuto on Casey Stengel's Yankee teams. Actually, this is wise and witty man hosted TV's top daily syndicated dance show of the '60s, and then went onto a stellar crew as a TV producer. We first met several years ago, when he was promoting STUFF HAPPENS, the excellent motivation book he co-wrote with John Alston. But he immediately treated me as if I were a lifelong friend. Always happy to share the insights forged through a six-decade career in T-V, sharing stages with rock and soul's most important names and a loyal group of teenagers who he brought "into the action" on his show, he was fascinated by a variety of subjects. Sure, baseball turned out to be one of them. A few years back, he told me, "I grew...

There's no post-season action in New York this fall for the first time since 1994. Just 90 miles down the Jersey Turnpike, it's a different story after the Phillies won their second straight NL East title -- courtesy of a strong September while the rival Mets faltered. Citizens Bank Park is a hitters paradise -- as well as a treat for the fans. It's a major upgrade over the concrete symmetry and artificial turf of Veterans Stadium. 20,000 seats smaller than its predecessor, Citizens Bank Park is cozy. Even the upper deck seats keep you close to the action. (Below:) Among the park's touches are statues honoring Philadelphia's past legends, among them Richie Ashburn, Hall of Fame center fielder of the pennant-winning 1950 Whiz Kids and, for 35 years, a homespun, yet candid member of the club's broadcast team. The Liberty Bell replica beyond right field rings and and swings after home runs from the home club. And this guy's swing makes it ring more than anyone ...

Thanks to former WCBS-FM colleague Phil DeGasperis for this pair. (Above) The impressive entrance of the Stadium. (Below) Sunset during a night game in the Bronx. CCNY classmate Bryan Nazario -- whose stunning black-and-whites from the thunderstorm-soaked doubleheader in August 1968 were featured in a prior entry -- took the Stadium tour this past spring. As you can see, he made it to the Stadium press box before I did. Finally, a few more of mine -- this one from the 2000 season. Time-stamp this one June 25th, 2005: Outside the park, a smokestack used during the 1970s renovation painted to resemble a bat and became a landmark, visible from the Major Deegan Expressway -- and a popular spot to meet friends before or after a game.

With the Yankees playing their final day game at the present stadium, this set of photos comes from Old Timers Day 1982. August 7th,1982, as the greats of the past -- Yankees and opponents -- line up on the baselines. In the regular game, the Yankees hosted the Texas Rangers. While "55" is more recently associated with Ramiro Menodoza and Hideki Matsui, Roy Smalley donned the double-nickel in 1982. A 9-1 win for the Yanks. For all the details on this game, click here: http://www.baseballchronology.com/Baseball/Boxes.asp?page=B08070NYA1982.htm

The spacious, open look, while emblematic of California, also shows what Shea Stadium could have become but wasn't -- rounded, airy and '60s-contemporary. Our first visit to LA's baseball palace came in May 1991 -- back when the O'Malley family still owned the ballclub, and maximizing advertising signage was not the priority it has since become. Having lucked into box seats, my friends and I came early. During pre-game practice, pitcher Roger McDowell walked by where we were seating -- and actually posed when I called out his name. Through a lucky connection (I was writing a show for the FM side of the radio station that aired the Phillies games), McDowell was nice enough to autograph and return the print. That famous video board was also seen in Naked Gun -- From the Files of Police Squad. The Three Amigos from CCNY -- yours truly, alongside Charles Richelson and Dennis Murray.

I've been waiting to put up my shots of the classic Yankee Stadium -- prior to the 1974-'75 renovation. Now, with this final season winding down, and little indication we'll have a post-season, it's time to post my photos. It's August 9th, 1972. I've always loved how your view of the field emerges as you come out of a dark walkway or ramp -- especially on the field level, with the two upper decks shading your panorama. Then, the perfect green grass, the expansive stands and the massive (for its time) scoreboard. The new-in-'09 stadium will return to the original design in which a decorative frieze regally tops the ballpark like a crown. Here's how the original looked. 1972, the Yankees of Murcer, White and Stottlemyre. Ralph Houk was the manager. Lee MacPhail the GM. Mike Burke ran the business as a division of CBS. No free agency, tickets five dollars and under, and the Yankees just a middle-of-the-pack team in the AL East. Yes, we've frozen a...