By the Numbers: After soaking fans at new stadium, Yankees seek big bucks for old-ballpark grass, memorabilia

$120

Price of a 1×1-foot piece of live sod from the old Yankee Stadium (shown) being sold by the Yankees-Steiner Collectibles partnership. That's about 85 times the price of the already expensive Yankees grass being sold by DeLea Sod Farms, a subject we covered in "Yankees Sod and Grass Seed Go on Sale."

I am lifelong fan of the New York Yankees, support that's not only part of my DNA but also a family tradition I've handed down to my three daughters. I'll even admit to being something of a blind Yankees loyalist, even during the most cringe-inducing moments of the 36-year Steinbrenner Reign.

But I'm also something of a cynic and skeptic. As much as I've been captivated by the magnificent new Yankee Stadium, I am equally bothered by the ticket and concession prices.

So I wasn't surprised to learn that the Yankees and New York City, which owned the old stadium, had reached an agreement for the team to sell and auction off the soon-to-be-razed ballpark piece by piece. But the deal seems to benefit the Yankees more than it does the taxpayers: The city will get a paltry $11.5 million, not nearly enough when you consider that a pair of seats from the 57,000-plus-capacity old stadium cost $1,499 to $1,999. (For details on the "Yankee Stadium Legends" auction, go to http://auctions.steinersports.com. May 13 update: Check out this New York Post photo and article, which show prices on all the memorabilia up for auction or sale.)

Others take issue with the deal. "The carcass of Yankee Stadium is city property and it's clearly worth more than $11.5 million. I know no good reason why taxpayers, having built the new stadium, should not benefit more from the sale," Richard L. Brodsky, a state assemblyman from Westchester and a vocal critic of the financing for the new stadium, told The New York Times.

Given the home- and yard-related topics we cover on the Home & Garden blog, I thought you might be interested to learn that an original brick from Monument Park will cost $150 and that "Final Season Crystals with Genuine Dirt" will run $80 (quantity unspecified). A quick trip to your local home center will tell you that as with the Yankees' payroll and tickets, those prices are inflated.—Steven H. Saltzman | e-mail | Twitter