"It's always so loud," said Sizemore. "You just hear the noise."

It was that way Thursday when the Indians and Yankees opened George Steinbrenner's new Yankee Stadium. Sizemore, with a flair for the big stage, hit a grand slam in a nine-run seventh inning as the Indians ruined the festivities for New York and more than 48,000 fans with a 10-2 victory.

When the game ended, Jeff Idelson, president of National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, N.Y., asked for Sizemore's grand slam bat. Sizemore gladly handed it over.

"It was the seminal hit of the game," said Idelson. "The first grand slam at new Yankee Stadium."

Idelson also collected a game ball with winning pitcher Cliff Lee's autograph and a pair of CC Sabathia's spikes. Lee and Sabathia were the starting pitches.

"It's exciting," said Sizemore. "Just getting the win is a big thing for us."

Sizemore likes playing the Yankees in New York. He likes the energy of the crowd and the city.

"It's always fun coming to New York," said Sizemore. "To get a chance to open this new stadium is something I'll always remember and keep with me and enjoy."

The outside of new Yankee Stadium looks different than old Yankee Stadium, which still stands across the street. The field and seats look the same.

"I like it," said Sizemore. "It plays the same as the old park."

A reporter asked Sizemore if he and his teammates enjoyed the big new visitor's clubhouse compared with the old one.

"The old one wasn't too bad," said Sizemore. "There are worse ones."

Sizemore didn't mind ruining the Yankees' special day.

"Playing in New York is always going to be tough," he said, "and with the way the fans were today, it was good to come in and get the opener."

While Sizemore helped beat the Yankees, Carl Pavano was easily the most unpopular Indian. He was soundly booed when his name was called during pregame introductions. He ran out to the third-base line laughing to take his place with his teammates.

Pavano spent the past four years as a Yankee, but rarely pitched because of injuries. The New York tabloids named him "American Idle."

Pavano left the locker room quickly after Thursday's game.

"I'll talk tomorrow," he said.

Pavano will start against the Yankees on Sunday. Thursday, it was the home opener. Sunday, it will be Pavano. In the big city, there's always another story.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: phoynes@plaind.com, 216-999-5158