Yankee Stadium Was Nearly Empty for the 9th Inning of ALCS Game 4 and the Bronx Just Isn't the Same

What happened to the notion that there is "nothing like postseason baseball in the Bronx?" That playoff baseball at Yankee Stadium is an indescribable phenomenon other MLB stadiums just can't say they boast?

Why are we asking these questions? Well, the Stadium was practically empty for the ninth inning of Game 4 of the ALCS on Thursday night when the Yanks trailed the Astros 8-3.

Sure, Yankees fans are considered by many as the most annoying bunch in all of sports, but their passion and noise cannot be understated. However, last night's showing proves that they don't possess nearly the same faith and conviction that they used to.

Whatever happened to not leaving until the final out is made? We understand that five runs is practically an insurmountable deficit the way that Aaron Boone's lineup has (or hasn't) been hitting of late, but we're talking about October here, folks -- a month that has delivered 27 championships to the Yankees across their history.

That fact alone should persuade a sellout crowd of over 54,000 to remain within the confines of the Stadium until the fat lady began belting out her song.

The fact they didn't tells us that they've given up ALL hope in their club's chance at reaching the World Series, which, again, is utterly confounding given their (the fans) historically great standards of persistence.

Being rambunctious in the early stages when the game is still competitive is expected. Sticking around when the Yanks are genuinely clinging to a heartbeat also used to be the norm in the Bronx.

It's not anymore, and that's kind of a sad reality for baseball.