Summer Comes Early To New York

It was a nice summer-like evening in New York at the Yankees game with Baltimore. It's anywhere from 10 to 15 degrees warmer than it should be for this time of year around here. No Complaints - except for the 90% humidity and the mid 80 degree temps on Sunday. Sticky and hot is not what we expected for early May. Oh ... and did I mention the thunderstorms? But on this night, the colors of the field and sky all seemed in sync. Even the bluish grey and white clouds suggest Yankee colors.

"Boxing" Returns To Yankee Stadium

It always pays to have a camera ready to record unusual sights. Here - in the park across from New York's Yankee Stadium - this group of men is preparing for ... well, I'm not sure what's in the offing for them. But the guy in blue was in charge and his students seemed to hang on his every word. Actually there will be a REAL fight at Yankee Stadium on June 5th when Brooklyn's Yuri Foreman takes on Miguel Cotto. Maybe one of these guys will be on the under card of bouts.

Incoming!!

The Yankees' Brett Gardner leaps above the left field wall at New York's Yankee Stadium in a vain attempt to catch a home run by Chicago's Andruw Jones. The fan standing up caught the ball, but his buddy - on the left - wants only to protect himself from what he thinks might be a baseball on his head. By the way, the guy who made the catch threw the ball back to the field as is expected when a homer is hit by the visiting team.

A Little Help & No Need For Assistance

I've been a longtime advocate for doggy-sized water fountains so as to avoid what we see here. Fido's owners have no choice but to lift their dog to a human fountain for a much-needed drink on a blustery, warm day in New York. At least the dog doesn't put his entire mouth on the faucet ... like I've seen some people do.


This photo reminded me of a picture I took last year in Manhattan Beach in California where ...

A bird had figured out how to get a drink when needed.

An Easy Way To Walk The Dogs

A rainy day in New York brings out all sorts of umbrellas. Including this one being wielded by a guy who has found an easy way to walk a bunch a dogs as he wards off the water. Only he has them affixed to his umbrella. No muss - no fuss. He stays dry and the dogs get their 'exercise.'

Dancing In The Streets

On a wonderful spring day in New York, locals and tourists alike were out and about town. But life goes on for workers who have to toil while the rest of us relax. But it looks like this construction traffic director is really getting into his work as the Brooklyn Bridge looms in the background.

Shadow Ball

When you photograph baseball games you sometimes need to get creative to help pass the time while waiting for something to happen. So I thought I'd try to shoot the Yankees' Curtis Granderson's shadow as he tried to hit the ball. I succeeded in getting the bat and the ball in the perfect spot. I'm not using a motor-drive to fire off 8 to 10 shots a second ... I have one chance to get the shot. So - I lucked out here. And is it me or is Granderson wearing mismatched socks?

Jackie Robinson Tribute

The number "42" was what every player, coach and manager in the Major Leagues was wearing on April 15th. On that date in 1947, Jackie Robinson - who wore number 42 - became the first Black player in modern Major League Baseball history when he took the field with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Every year on April 15th, that historic moment is observed. Alex Rodriguez (l) - wearing his socks like Robinson did - Yankee captain Derek Jeter (center) and Robinson Cano (r) listen to the national anthem before their game with the Angels. Cano, who was named after Robinson, hit two homers in a Yankee victory. Jackie Robinson's window, Rachel, his daughter, Sharon and his grandson, Jesse, were on hand in New York for the special night that honored a baseball and civil rights giant.

The Yankees Get Their Rings ... And Me Too!

The Yankees received their World Series rings before their home-opening victory over the Angels. Joba Chamberlain (r) and CC Sabathia (the guy with the big smile) - with their first such rings - look like they're little kids getting new toys. Number 42 Mariano Rivera is an old hand at getting the hardware - he now has five World Series title rings.

And - as the Yankees' public address announcer - I was deemed worthy of getting a ring as well! It's my second championship ring. The Yankee one on the left and the Las Vegas Stars Pacific Coast League title ring from 1986 is on the right. I hope I don't have to wait another 23 years before I get another championship ring.

Shooting In The "Wild"

I was watching one of my favorite TV shows, TRAVELS TO THE EDGE, hosted by famed outdoor photographer Art Wolfe. He did a segment on his trip to Africa and I was inspired to try and duplicate some of Art's shots. So I went looking for elephants, lions and zebras. I found what I was looking for at FAQ Swartz - the famous New York toy store. These subjects are about four to five inches tall, but by shooting them up close they appear to be larger and more ...menacing ... or not.

Which One is A Real Person?

To me, the one on the lower left looks like it could be an actual person, but then again - the upper right one might be real. But in actuality, they're all just dummy heads that were on display at an junk store in Brooklyn. The collection of the four heads struck me as odd and a little creepy as well. But in the end, very photogenic. The Angelina Jolie look-a-like is the one making the most eye contact. In fact, I see that she's shaved her head for an upcoming role. Check her out.

Candle In A Bar

So a guy walks into a bar with a camera and takes a picture. That's it. No punchline. That's actually what I did. The place is called The People's Republic of Brooklyn. It was kinda dark, so I put the camera on its timer for four seconds to bring in the ambient light to give the candle and its bright red color some life. I like how the background light on the wall almost looks like a flame from the candle.

On The Menu?

I hope not! But you never know in New York's Chinatown. These goldfish were swimming in a street-side aquarium at a restaurant. Hundreds of them. Many would come over and seemingly bask in the bubbles like the one in the lower-center of the photo. Have you ever seen goldfish on a menu?

So You Think YOUR Job Is Tough?

Thank goodness I have a job I like. Oh ... there might be a day when things are hectic, but those a few and far between. Just imagine if you had to do what this man is doing (and I've seen many others around New York doing the same thing) - collect cans to turn in for some meager funds to help keep a roof over his head and feed his family. And on top of that, he has to drag his daughter (granddaughter?) with him because there's no money to pay a babysitter. I'm guessing at that last statement. But don't you think she's rather be off playing with her little pals instead of walking the streets of Chinatown looking for discarded soft drink cans? But - then again - it kinda looks like she's happy just to be spending some time with him. Things are tough for a lot of people these days. If you have a job, be thankful it's not one like his.

Big Stack

This is 36 days worth of mail. I was away from New York for that period of time because I was in Florida for Yankees' spring training. Among the assorted magazines and bills, I also received two income tax return checks from the state of California. So it'll be worth the time I must invest to read those magazines and pay those bills.

Just A Preview

Here is my World Series ring. The STARTER ring that is. At least that's what I'm calling it. Before the final spring training game in Tampa, fans were given this ring (pretty hefty at that) to commemorate the 27th Yankees' World Championship win last season.

The actual World Series rings are being made and will be handed out soon in NY. I'm hoping to get one of those as well.

Both Sides Now

The final spring training game of 2010 for the Yankees featured an appearance by pitcher Pat Venditte who throws both left-handed AND right-handed in the SAME game depending on the batter. Venditte - who pitched in Class-A ball last season - is currently the only professional pitcher go both ways. Back in the mid 90's Greg Harris - who pitched briefly for the Yankees - became the first pitcher in modern baseball history to pitch in a Major League game right-handed AND left-handed. Venditte has a special glove to accomodate his hands when he makes the change.

Going Home

I took this picture to represent the end of my stay in Tampa. When I leave soon, it'll cap off 36 days in the bay area where I called home for seven years from 1997 to 2005. It's back to New York to enter my second season as the PA man for the New York Yankees but with great memories from being around my friends here.

Watching The Setting Sun

At a local beach near my Tampa hotel, I went to run and I took my camera along to capture whatever might occur. My running track was just about clear of people expect for the guy on the left. I waited a few minutes for him to complete his hunt for shells and I used the time to try a create sometime with the setting sun, him and a nearby small inlet of water. Since I was shooting directly into the sun, I had no idea if I was getting everything I wanted in the shot. As luck would have it, everything turned out with the sun stars in the foreground adding to the composition.

Reach For The Sky

Outside of my hotel in Tampa there is a giant sculpture of arms and hands reaching for the sky (or maybe the moon in this case) with the appendages fashioned in sweeping, curving brushed steel. We're right across from the Tampa airport and maybe the artist wanted a piece of art intended to welcome fliers into town. These arms stretch at least 70-feet high and folks in the window seats can't help but see the artwork in the moments before they land. Almost as if the hands are applauding a safe landing.