I received an email this past Thursday afternoon from a business partner asking if I’d like two tickets to that night’s Yanks game against the Angels. When I realized that these tickets were not only in the Legends Suite section, but were also in the second row behind first base, I pounced. I had heard a little bit about the premium, high-end amenities and features of the Legends Suite Club but had no idea what Jill and I were in store for. We arrived at Yankee Stadium, in all its modern-day, coliseum-esque glory, and proceeded directly to the Legends Suite area. After we got our wrist-bands (think all-inclusive resort), we walked through the entrance that leads you into the top-level of the bi-level Legends Suite Club. Looking around, the decor felt more like a high-end downtown steakhouse than any stadium club we’ve ever been in. To our right was a sleek bar area with more flat screens per square foot than ESPNZone. And to our left was an amazing looking buffet  and dining room. From the bar, you could look out to the field and see the game. Jill and I took a lap around the buffet and then looked at each other and asked “How much must this cost?” It made it more fun that we had not done any research on the Legends Suite and so you can imagine our surprise when a server told us it is all free with our Legends Suite access. Everything that is except for the alcohol, which would be fine unless you’re Jill and me. We contemplated our next move as we ordered a drink at the bar (Jill a gin and tonic and a brooklyn lager for me): (a) do we grab a drink and go check out our seats, (b) do we walk around and explore the madness that is the Legends Suite, or (c) do we attack this ridiculous buffet.  It took not long for option (c) to prevail and we separately made our way around the complimentary all-you-can-eat buffet. We rendezvoused at the bar where our drinks were awaiting our return. I had made my way to just about every station at the buffet. There was a filet mignon station, a paella station, a load your own baked potato station, a hot dog and mini monte cristo station, a duck station, a chicken and butternut squash ravioli station, a salad station and more. Here’s a photo tour of my trip around the buffet:

We almost forgot we were here for a baseball game. After finishing up our buffet plates and drinks at the bar, we finally made our way down to our seats. Walking through the bottom level of the Legends Suite club, we realized there was another huge buffet set up with what looked to be the same items as the upstairs buffet, as well as a bar with draft beers. As you exit the Legends Suite to take your seats there is a “grab ‘n go” area with free bags of peanuts, M&M’s, cracker jack’s, and more. I grabbed some peanuts and M&M’s just because. Thankfully, there was enough early action in the game that it was only the bottom of the 2nd inning when we took our seats. The seats themselves are worth mentioning with their teak arms and full cushions. We were struck by how empty the 1,800 or so seats in the Legends Suite area were compared to how packed the rest of the stadium was. Then came our next surprise. All of the food on the massive In-Seat Dining Menu is FREE. I suddenly wished I hadn’t gorged myself at the buffet. But that didn’t stop us from ordering (for free) a Carl’s Philly Cheesesteak, a Lamb Gyro Pita and Truffle Fries. Other options included a Lobster Roll, Flatbread with Goat Cheese and Pancetta, a few special selections from Fresco by Scotto Restaurant, and more. Jill ordered a dirty martini which they brought in a souvenir-style shaker that had at least 2 full martinis in it. She swears it was as good as any extra dirty martini she’s had. I stuck with the Brooklyn Lager. We also discovered that there is a dugout lounge (called the Ketel Lounge) close to our seats with more free food to grab on the run, including more Carl’s Cheesesteaks and a freezer with ice cream bars, clean bathrooms and a nice bar. It turned out to be a great game to boot. The Yanks came from behind to win with a big rally in the 8th. 

Now I know you’re thinking’ “Yeah maybe a nice recession special when you get the Legends Suite tickets for free, but what about when you have to pay for seats yourself?” Here’s the deal, though. These pricey tickets in the Legends Suite area with all the amenities and free food have plummeted on the resale market. According to an ESPN article, Legends Suite seats for Friday night’s game against the Los Angeles Angels that originally sold for $500 could be had for $144 shortly before 5 p.m. on StubHub.com. Legends seats in section 16, row 9, behind the first-base dugout were available for $199, down from their $850 original price. ”We’re seeing an unprecedented number of season-ticket holders selling. The market has been flooded. It is a buyer’s market for baseball fans,” said Mike Janes, chief executive officer of FanSnap.com, an Internet search engine that finds tickets on resale sites. Now, if you’re willing to go during the week and it’s not the Red Sox or Rays in town, you could probably score Legends Suite tickets for less than $100 each. With all the amenities (oh yeah, did I mention the flat-screen TV’s in the restrooms), free food and royal treatment, not to mention the great seats at the new Yankee Stadium, we’re calling this the most unlikely Recession Special in town.

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