Meredith Marakovits
Look, I’m not trying to get all poetic here, but when Meredith Marakovits started telling me about a Yankees fan from New Zealand—yes, New Zealand—who flew across the world to finally step into Yankee Stadium, caught some home run balls, met Paul O’Neill, and said it was better than he ever imagined? I got chills. That’s the magic of this place. Monument Park. Murals outside Gate 4. Thurman Munson’s locker. Old-Timers’ Day. Even Meredith still pinches herself on the walk in. Say what you want about baseball—but in the Bronx, it still feels sacred.
Just being the TV reporter for the New York Yankees, an international brand—what is that experience like?
It’s wild. Coming from Philly, which had that neighborhood-y feel, I didn’t fully grasp the reach of the Yankees until I took this job. I’ve been recognized in places like Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Spain. People who don’t even fully understand baseball know the Yankees. It’s remarkable.
Have any of them been to Yankee Stadium?
This guy in New Zealand messaged me—he was essentially their Secret Service—and said he was the biggest Yankees fan in the country. We met, and years later, he finally came to New York. I brought him to the TV booth. He met Michael, Paul O’Neill, caught a few home run balls. He was like, “I can’t believe I’m here. I watch this every morning, and now I’m living it.”
What’s it like walking the concourses?
There’s so much passion. You forget fans are letting you into their living room every day. You feel that energy—especially near postseason. There’s just a different edge here.
Does the vibe change depending on a win or loss?
Walk-offs are electric, obviously. But these fans know the game. They’re locked in if there’s a no-hitter or a guy going for the cycle. They understand storylines, and that elevates the atmosphere. When they think the team can go the distance—like this year with Soto—it’s even louder, even more locked in.
What’s it like being around that constant stream of superstars?
You do get used to it. My first year was with Jeter, Mo, Pettitte, Posada. That’s the bar here. Major market teams understand stars sell. Other teams might have one. With the Yankees, it’s “how many do they have this year?”
What’s it like being in a park that honors history like this?
Honestly, it’s one of my favorite parts. You’ll just see CC Sabathia or Andy Pettitte walking through. Andy will sit near the dugout and we’ll chat during the ninth. Old-Timers’ Day is the best. It connects generations—grandparents telling grandkids why this player mattered. That thread of continuity—most teams don’t have that.
Even spring training has that vibe. You’ve got Guidry and Willie Randolph around just to talk to the current guys. The game’s evolved, but the DNA is the same, and that connection matters—for fans, players, and people like me.
If someone’s never been to Yankee Stadium, how would you describe the experience?
It’s what you make of it. I’d say take the subway, walk through the surrounding neighborhood, see the murals. Enter through Gate 4—you get that “Wow, I’m here” moment. Then inside: Monument Park is a must. There’s also a museum—people don’t always know that. You’ll see Ruth’s jersey, DiMaggio’s glove, Munson’s locker. I’ve held the bat Babe Ruth hit his first Yankees home run with. Stuff like that—it’s surreal.
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NOTE: The above was edited for clarity and length.
You can read the full transcript here.