Not that I was planning on bringing home a souvenir for each of you in the first place,  but at least now I have an excuse.

The scene to the right is of a Yankee Stadium souvenir stand a good half-hour before the start of the pregame ceremony at 8 p.m. and what the picture doesn't show is the three-deep mob of Visigoths All-Star Game attendees intent on sacking the place. 

As a veteran of one World Series, one Super Bowl, six NBA Finals and three All-Star Games, the only advice I have to offer is this: Never buy at the stadium and never buy in bulk before the game.

Sure, if you want a hat or jersey to wear to the game, you're fine. But if you're stocking up on knick-knacks (or a Kosuke Fukudome jersey t-shirt) for the guy back home who's watching your dog, the best deals are to be had at local stores (the Modell's on 42nd Street was already marking things down today before the game) or the immediate day after at any location, even the stadium or "official" stores (as you read this, there's a guy somewhere slapping 75 percent off stickers on those weird Statue of Liberty keepsakes).  

Related: Road Trip: ASG in NYC