Nets Out of Izod, Yanks Back Home

So the New Jersey Nets will never stink up the Meadowlands again. Or vice versa.

They lost last night, 105-95, to fall to 12-69, at the building now known as the Izod Center, in front of a crowd announced at 14,118. That many? In the immortal words of North Jersey native Jim Bouton, "Yeah, surrrre!"

Larry Brown was the Nets' coach in their 1st game in the Brendan Byrne Arena, on October 30, 1981, a 103-99 loss to the New York Knicks. Brown was the Bobcats' coach in the last Nets game at the big drafty barn on Exit 16W -- and, once again, has worked his magic, taking what was essentially still an expansion team to their 1st Playoff berth, just as he took the Nets to back-to-back Playoff berths in 1982 and '83.

Next season, the Nets move into the Prudential Center for 2 years. I wonder, when the new Russkie owner sees the big crowds, will he stay?

UPDATE: There weren't big crowds, and he still made the move to Brooklyn.

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The Yankees are amazed at what's left of the old Yankee Stadium as they return home: Not much.

It will be very hard for me to see my 1st live Yankee game of this new season, with my old playpen in ruins.

Then I'll compose myself, and watch the Yankees win again.

Angels, Matsui, rings, Pennant, Bernie Williams throwing out the first ball, and all that jazz. (No, we're not playing Chicago. Though I wouldn't mind if Catherine Zeta-Jones took a break from appearing with Angela Lansbury in the Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music and took in a game at the new Stadium.)

Andy Pettitte starts against Who Cares. Play Ball.