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FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. Fans clad in navy blue pinstripes with interlocking N's and Y's hit the rails Friday, heading from Fairfield County to the Bronx, N.Y., for Opening Day at Yankee Stadium.
Sports talk was buzzing on the Metro-North Railroad train, which was standing room only by the time it reached Stamford from New Haven. Topics included predictions on the outcome of the game between the Yankees and the Los Angeles Angels and spread to local high school lacrosse season and the New York Jets, among other topics.
Friday's game was special for Stamford's David and Fabiola Goldbaum, who were heading to their first Opening Day. They were excited to see Jorge Posada, a former Yankee catcher who retired this past winter, throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the game.
"We're big Jorge fans," David said excitedly. They weren't alone as several "hip, hip Jorge" chants were heard outside of the stadium before the game.
For Mike Brown and his sons, Alexander and Kieran, going to the home opener was all about beating the Angels and improving the Yankees' chances for a possible playoff berth, a distant six months away.
"It's the start of the road to the championship," Mike said, gaining the approval of his two boys.
Bernie and Lorraine Werblow were happy to be back in New York watching baseball. The Medford, Ore., residents were in the area to visit their son, who got them the tickets so they could enjoy the game while he was at work.
"What a beautiful day for a ballgame, beautiful day," Bernie said, looking up at the blue sky. Lorraine was also happy to be in the Bronx, although she said she would have preferred to be at Ebbets Field to see her beloved but long-gone Brooklyn Dodgers.
The fans began to file out of the stadium during the seventh inning with the Yankees cruising to a 5-0 win behind a strong pitching performance from Hiroki Kuroda. But the floodgates burst open after the final out, and the train ride home was jovial as the sun-kissed fans basked in the glory of the early season win.
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