The Yankees will be out of town when the Pope says mass at Yankee Stadium on Sunday -- they should have had a home game and let him throw out the first pitch -- but that doesn't mean that somebody within the organization didn't have a say in where the Pope was allowed to stroll about.That's right friends: the Popemobile isn't allowed on the grass.
The arena is home of the baseball team the New York Yankees and the Vatican has been told that the Popemobile will not be allowed to touch the grass.While this is undoubtedly a step to keep the playing area in top shape -- although, it's not like the Pope is going to be driving around like a lunatic if he was given free range -- I'm glad the Yankees have moved on from the long national nightmare of the t-shirt in new Yankee Stadium to more important things.
Instead, the white armour-plated vehicle will do a lap of honour around the edge of the stadium.
Sixty thousand people are expected at the Bronx venue next Sunday for the last major event of the visit.
The Pope will say mass at the stadium where a special podium has been built over second base.
Thank God for that. Literally.
Via Sports by Brooks.
Latest Baseball Photos
Los Angeles Dodgers' Russell Martin hits a solo homer against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the eighth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Tuesday, April, 15, 2008. The Dodgers won 11-2. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
AP
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Russell Martin, left, shakes hands with manager Joe Torre after their win against the Pittsburgh Pirates during a baseball game in Los Angeles, Tuesday, April, 15, 2008. The Dodgers and Pirates celebrated the 61st anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier with uniformed personnel wearing his number 42. The Dodgers won 11-2. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
AP
Los Angeles Dodgers' Esteban Loaiza pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Tuesday, April, 15, 2008. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
AP
San Diego Padres starter Randy Wolf, left, talks with catcher Josh Bard in the Padres dugout after Wolf allowed only one hit in seven innings against the Colorado Rockies in their baseball game Tuesday, April 15, 2008 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
AP
San Diego Padres' Tadahito Iguchi, of Japan, reacts after striking out against the Colorado Rockies in the fifth inning of their baseball game Tuesday April 15, 2008 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
AP
San Diego Padres starter Randy Wolf pitches against the Colorado Rockies in the fifth inning of their baseball game Tuesday, April 15, 2008 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
AP
San Diego Padres starter Randy Wolf pitches against the Colorado Rockies in the fifth inning of their baseball game Tuesday April 15, 2008 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
AP
San Diego Padres' Randy Wolf, left, greets teammate Brian Giles after the pair scored against the Colorado Rockies in the fifth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 15, 2008 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
AP
San Diego Padres' Kevin Kouzmanoff watches his line drive double against the Colorado Rockies in the Padres fifth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 15, 2008 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
AP
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Phil Dumatrait reacts as Los Angeles Dodgers' Jeff Kent rounds the bases after a three-run home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Tuesday, April, 15, 2008. The Dodgers and Pirates celebrated the 61st anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier with uniformed personnel wearing his number 42. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
AP

Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. I'm just thinking here but maybe it's not such a great idea to have the pope say anything about "MASS" in Yankees stadium. They might think he's a spy for the Red Sox and try to put him in the cement instead of a Red Sox jersey. I know, my family are all Yankees fans. LETS GO METS!
Posted at 10:33PM on Apr 14th 2008 by Bernie
2. Nice. You'd think a papal blessing would help end their championship "drought". Oh well...
Posted at 11:27AM on Apr 15th 2008 by snood199
3. THEY BETTER BE NICE TO THE POPE,THEY SHOULD HAVE HIM PRAY FOR BETTER PITCHING.
Posted at 11:08PM on Apr 15th 2008 by mike welcome
4. it's ok steinbrener you moron
Posted at 11:27PM on Apr 15th 2008 by abjapas
5. How pompous of the Yankees to tell the Vatican that the Pope can't go on the grass! Who do they think they are? They should be so lucky to have an honorable figure even show up to Yankee Stadium! Even if the Pope went on the grass and it got damaged, the Yankees couldn't spare the money for new sod? Oh yeah.....they spend that money on worthless players and digging up concrete to find a jersey instead. Friggin' morons. Get over yourselves. GO RED SOX!
Posted at 9:47AM on Apr 16th 2008 by fretslikefire
6. Next thing you know, they won't let him take batting practice.
Posted at 10:46AM on Apr 16th 2008 by BJYELLEN
7. Honestly, I'm glad we've come to the age where someone can tell the pope he can't ride on the grass. The papacy is one of the most corrupt positions ever established in the history of mankind. I do agree the fundamental principles of christianity are right and good, and some popes may have been truly spiritual.. but in reality 90% of them have been power hungry fanatics.
Posted at 10:47AM on Apr 16th 2008 by LogicAndReason
8. Bad Mojo . . . .
Posted at 12:45PM on Apr 16th 2008 by mikesatcher
9. to fretslikefire what makes you think the king of the child molesters is any better than any one else. he should be allowed to drive on the grass because he's the pope ? sorry but im not catholic and niether are a lot of people in this country so why should we bend over backwards for someone who just does'nt matter
Posted at 4:06PM on Apr 16th 2008 by not a big deal
10. I agree with post number 7. The pope always entertain the dream of regaining there undisputed control of the Holy Roman Empire in the Early Medieval era, wherein they are more powerful than emperors. Actually they should not be given this special welcome, since great Protestant Leaders are given such equal recognition. Yes "The papacy is one of the most corrupt positions ever established in the history of mankind"
Posted at 10:17PM on Apr 18th 2008 by Cyrus
11. YANKEE STADIUM WAS BUILT WITH PUBLIC MONEY AND THIS DECISION SHOULD NOT BE UP TO SOME SCUMBAG IN THE YANKEE ORGANIZATION.
Posted at 6:05PM on Apr 20th 2008 by IRONBLUEEYES
12. I agree with post no. 7 - "The papacy is one of the most corrupt positions ever established in the history of mankind. I do agree the fundamental principles of christianity are right and good, and some popes may have been truly spiritual.. but in reality 90% of them have been power hungry fanatics.
".
Posted at 11:51PM on Apr 20th 2008 by Cyrus