The New York Yankees brought the World Series back home to the Bronx for the first time since 2009 — and local businesses stepped up their game to host thousands of fans.
Several hours ahead of Game 3 on Oct. 28, restaurants, bars and sporting goods shops within the 161st Street Business Improvement District (BID) were packed with celebrating fans, both indoors and at tables lining River Avenue. And not all were ultimately headed across the street for the game: amid sky-high ticket prices, many were expected to watch on TV from the comfort of local businesses.
Ultimately, the Yankees dropped Game 3 to the L.A. Dodgers by a score of 4-2 — and the Bronx Bombers now face a win-or-go-home Game 4 on Oct. 29. But before the first Bronx home game, businesses opened as early as 2 p.m. for fans who came from near and far to rally for their team.
Outside Billy’s Sports Bar on River Avenue, a long line of Yankees fans waited to get in — and had to endure some heckling from a sizeable group of Dodgers fans on the street outside the bar.
Moises Rodriguez was there with friends, all having just traveled from Ohio to support the Yankees. Rodriguez had high hopes for Game 3, saying, “I think the bats are gonna come alive.”
He pointed to Yankees star Aaron Judge, the six-time All-Star player who has struggled inexplicably in the postseason. Though Judge has faced criticism from pundits and fans alike, “I think the fans are gonna rally around Judge tonight,” he said.
Rodriguez said not only were he and his friends partying near Yankee Stadium, they were staying in a hotel in Times Square for the full New York experience. “We’re gonna do it and do it right,” he said.
On a bench outside the stadium, with thousands of fans streaming by, longtime Yankees fan Larry Reilly agreed with Rodriguez. “I’m confident we’re gonna bounce back tonight,” he said.
Reilly lived in the Bronx for 27 years, and now that he lives on Long Island, he doesn’t attend as many games as he once did — but has still managed to attend the Yankees’ home opener 58 years in a row. A friend of Reilly’s, who is a season ticket holder, treated him to Game 3, and he was optimistic about the team’s chances despite having dropped the first two World Series games in L.A.
From the bottom of the lineup to Judge, “It’s gotta be a collective team effort,” he said.
Local businesses were prepared for all the madness — and have been waiting for this moment. Mike Rendino, owner of Stan’s Sports Bar down the street, said the Yankees’ postseason run has been “a blessing.”
In the hours before Game 3, it was standing-room only at Stan’s as the Beastie Boys song “No Sleep Till Brooklyn” blasted — perhaps a subtle nod to the former home of the opposing team.
Rendino said he received inquiries from as far as Australia from people seeking a place to watch the games, and he brought on twice the normal number of staff to help manage the crowd.
Rendino said when he took over Stan’s in the 1990s, he was “spoiled” with three straight Yankees World Series wins in 1998, 1999 and 2000. This one — after a 15-year drought — feels special, he said. “It’s one of those rare opportunities where all New York fans can root for the same team.”
Down the street at Dugout, another sports bar, owner Sheila Smith had plenty of space for the crowds, and all three large rooms were buzzing.
“I’m excited, we’re busy early,” Smith said. “It’s been great.”
Smith has owned Dugout for three years — and took it over after working there as a part-time bartender. She said she showed up to work one day and was surprised to see an eviction notice on the door. Even though she had a full-time career with Con Edison, she saw a great opportunity and negotiated the debt with the previous owner and landlord to buy the place.
Smith — who still works for Con Edison and is five years away from retirement — said all her hard work and long days have been rewarding. “If I didn’t feel it was worth it, going to the World Series made it worth it,” she said.
Things aren’t easy for small businesses, especially those like Smith’s near the stadium, which are heavily reliant on seasonal business and pay high rent and taxes, she said. This year’s extended season has been a gift that keeps on giving. “These are bonus days for this area,” she said.
Smith expected many fans to stay and watch Game 3 and return for Game 4. “Normally, this place is a ghost town” during games, she said, but with the excitement of the World Series in the air, “People are just excited to be in the area.”
Reach Emily Swanson at eswanson@schnepsmedia.com or (646) 717-0015. For more coverage, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @bronxtimes
