TakeHimDowntown.com » Offseason

Jorge Knows How to Walk Off

Dan McCourt — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 02:25:26 +0000

Exhibiting confidence and pride on a bitterweet day, Jorge spoke frankly about his career, and his proudest moments.

Bronx, N.Y., January 24, 2012 – Jorge Posada made it official Tuesday morning, announcing his retirement as he sat with his family in front of a crowd of worshippers at Yankee Stadium. Team officials, players, ex-players, broadcasters, members of the press and, most important of all, a group of his most passionate fans listened to Posada

Continue reading Jorge Knows How to Walk Off

Hot Off the Presses

Dan McCourt — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 10:08:52 +0000

Although I just served as a grunt (and lowly scribe), I’m delighted to announce the fifth annual Maple Street Yankee Annual, this one subheaded 2011. Compiled by the brilliant writer, editor (and Yankee fan) Cecilia Tan, the annual is a grab bag of everything a Yankee enthusiast would want at this soon-to-be magical time of year. There’s plenty of coverage of what we all know quite well, that the 2011 Yankees sport a power lineup,

Continue reading Hot Off the Presses

The Music of Neil Young: Live Rehearsal at City Winery

Sue — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 06:49:09 +0000

Evan Dando and Juliana Hatfield with Larry Campbell's house band at City Winery

So sorry that we are booked, but so excited that we were able to make the live rehearsal show at City Winery (fabulous Manhattan venue, by the way) for the Carnegie Hall benefit that’s happening Thursday night. From having attended the concerts showcasing the music of Bob Dylan (at Lincoln Center) and Bruce Springsteen (at Carnegie Hall with an appearance by Bruce

Continue reading The Music of Neil Young: Live Rehearsal at City Winery

Escape From Winter

Dan McCourt — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 07:00:25 +0000

We've seen the best — and the worst — accompanying a Yankees trip to Dunedin to play the Blue Jays.

As if my decades-old “Jones” for all things baseball were not enough, the foul New York winter is focusing my thoughts South a week before even pitchers and catchers report to Tampa for Yankee Spring Training, and almost three weeks before we join them for all the sun and fun. Stumbling along on week-old ice

Continue reading Escape From Winter

The Pettitte Two-Step

SusieQ — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 04:22:40 +0000

Andy Pettitte Retirement Press Conference

Bronx, N.Y., February 3, 2011 — We all have our favorite Andy Pettitte moments. How to pick one or two? For me, it’s actually rather easy. When it comes to Andy P, think Peter O’Toole, because 1996 is My Favorite Year. Any Yankee fan who has been watching this team since that stunning season could easily point to magical Game 5 of the World Series, October 24, when the young

Continue reading The Pettitte Two-Step

Gotta Go to Mo’s

Sue — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 22:36:36 +0000

Enjoyed a great steak dinner here in what has become an off-season tradition for us.

In what has become an off-season tradition for us, Dan and I braved the snow flurries to head in to New Rochelle for dinner at Mo’s New York Grill with fellow Yankee fans Sharon and Bob. We’ve been scheduling up a dinner at Mo’s with them between the end of the season and an annual trek down to Tampa for

Continue reading Gotta Go to Mo’s

It Happens Before Spring

Dan McCourt — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 03:15:05 +0000

With all apologies to a movie with special effects that bring a smile and the genuine heart and humor of baseball (It Happens Every Spring, of course), I’m delighted to announce the fourth annual Maple Street Yankee Annual, this one subheaded 2010 .

It sprints out of the box with 80 pages devoted to the upcoming season, hopefully a carbon copy of its predecessor, followed by 20 more featuring Yankee prospects: the coming Derek Jeters, Mo’s,

Continue reading It Happens Before Spring

Hey, Gorgeous!

Dan McCourt — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 02:10:31 +0000

We are the champions... In Asia just three days earlier, the World Series trophy made a road trip to Westchester this weekend.

White Plains, NY, February 6, 2010 Hello Excellence, my old friend. I’ve come to talk with you again.

With apologies to Paul Simon, those words, and others just like them, whirled through my head on Saturday, February 6, as we made the trip to White Plains to see the New York Yankee World Series

Continue reading Hey, Gorgeous!

Winter Numbers

Dan McCourt — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 01:13:50 +0000

View From 420b

Bronx, N.Y., January 8, 2010 — I made my annual birthday celebration/trek to Yankee Stadium the other day. The reason I give myself (and anyone asking) for why I brave the chilly winds of the South Bronx in January each year is to pay off the coming year’s season ticket plan, but in reality it’s more a pilgrimage than a buiness trip. I actually bumped into Joe Torre on this trek two

Continue reading Winter Numbers

Hit the Road, Jack

Dan McCourt — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 19:38:29 +0000

Bronx, N.Y., October 29, 2008 — Of immigrant stock, I date my family’s arrival in the United States from the day my father and his family arrived in New York in the mid-1920s. They immediately gravitated to the Bronx, arriving around the same time the House That Ruth Built opened for business. Dad fought in World War II, married Mom and had four Baby Boomer children (I’m “the baby”), and moved us into a house

Continue reading Hit the Road, Jack