Goodbye Madison Square Garden

Since 1975 I've been going to the Millrose Games, almost every year. It's the sole remaining track meet at Madison Square Garden. But now the NY Times reports Millrose Games Expected to Leave Garden for Armory.

Back in the 70's there were three track meets in the Garden each winter. One ventured across the Hudson to the Meadowlands. It didn't last very long there. The national indoor championships moved to a venue with a longer, faster track. The Millrose Games, however, remained. Now it looks like that will change.

Five years ago, back when I was posting long articles, I blogged about the Millrose Games. Not too much changed since then, except the crowds kept getting smaller. This year they put in a rock band to play while they worked on  transforming the track. They didn't even have a men's pole vault.

Assuming it moves, I'm doubtful I'll continue to attend. With all the problems track and field has had with drug cheaters, I'm not nearly as big a fan as I used to be. Most of the changes the Millrose Games have made over the years make the meet less enjoyable for me, not more. It's not nearly as much fun as it used to be--and really not worth the trip to upper Manhattan.

So, farewell, Millrose. Also, farewell, Madison Square Garden.  After the WTA Women's Tennis Championships left the Garden, the Millrose Games became the only event that I go to there. I have no idea when, or if, I'll ever be back.

It's the end of another era, I guess. There seem to be more and more of these, as I get older.