Osteen Packs Out Yankee Stadium

If you follow baseball, you probably know that one of this season's continuing plot lines is all the empty seats in the high-priced sections of Yankee Stadium.  These seats are bought and paid for by the so-called "Grey Poupon" crowd, people who don't come to games anymore because they don't want to be seen on camera "flaunting" their wealth and influence in an economic downturn.  So, instead of going to the games, these folks are selling their tickets on Stubhub.  But nobody's buying, and many of the high-priced seats are empty and highly visible on camera.  The Yanks are embarrassed and will attempt to do something about putting fannies in those seats once again.

Joel Osteen sure didn't have that problem.  Last Saturday, Joel and Victoria (along with their children) put over 50,000 into the stadium @ $15.00 a pop.  Osteen joins two popes and Billy Graham as those who have led religious services in Yankee Stadium.

The news coverage of Joel's visit is fascinating.  The reporters don't know what to do with this guy.  He shoots baskets in his driveway, and then packs out the stadium when the Yankees can't.  Aw shucks.  http://www.khou.com/video/index.html?nvid=355857

While Osteen preached in the New Yankee Stadium on Saturday, the Yanks were getting walloped up in Fenway.  I think there's a connection--although I can't prove it.  If the Yankees go into a prolonged funk, its the curse of Joel and Victoria!

Comments

[George]

Caught at the right camera angle, I always see a strong resemblance between Osteen and Tim Allen. It doesn't stop there - his personality is very much in line with character Tim Taylor of "Home Improvement" fame; an over-confident know-it-all when it comes to prosperity gospel. Maybe he needs an Al Borland type to straighten him out theologically. Better yet, a "Wilson" poking his nose over the back fence, giving sage advice.

[Anonymous]

dr. Riddlebarger, in order for Osteen to have "preached" in any stadium, whether Yankees or back home, wouldn't he have to exposit the Scriptures?

[PB]

The Yankees were definitely not having their "best life now" at Fenway this past weekend...And as a Red Sox fan, I say, ain't that grand!

[Manfred]

Osteen is one of several judgments of God on the state of Texas. We have Binny Hinn, TD Jakes, Kerry Shook, Ed Young, Jr., and more!

As a student in a local government college pointed out to the professor, who was using Osteen as an object lesson and had referred to him as "a Christian pastor" - "He ain't no pastor. A pastor preaches the gospel of Jesus Christ. Joel is merely a motivational speaker."

[Matt Holst]

I can only hope that Osteen's next stop is Wrigley Field!

[Arthur Sido]

Ugh, and I thought nothing could be more distasteful in Yankee Stadium than the Yankees themselves. Guess I was wrong.