Mudville gentrified

The only things fans really get from new stadiums are price increases. Just ask Peggy Gavan and her husband, Joe Ebler, of Warwick. For three years they've owned two seats as part of a 12-game Saturday package. They are called "MVP Tier," located in the upper tier between home plate and the Yankees' on-deck circle. Good seats. They've paid $55 a seat which, with a couple perks, makes for a pretty good deal.

Then they opened the mail one day and inside was a glossy packet from the Yankees containing 2009 ticket information. Their seats, now called "Terrace Level Outdoor Suite," would "start at $100 per seat/per game." So the 12-game, $55-seat package that now costs $660 per person will cost at least $1,200, almost a 100 percent increase.

But here's the kicker — Peggy and Joe must buy all 81 homes games, and they might have to sign up for multiple seasons. [...] At best, the couple will have to come up with at least $16,200 for seats that currently cost $1,320.

So the Yanks probably will lose two more common folks from their new fan-friendly stadium. Peggy's been going to games for 30 years. Joe was there in '77 when Reggie Jackson hit three home runs against the Dodgers in Game 6 of the World Series.

From: http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080715/SPORTS/807150327