SportsFullCircle

August 16, 2006.  The 58th anniversary of the death of baseball legend Babe Ruth.  This day however, was also the birth of something.  A new (York) legacy.  On this day, the official groundbreaking was held for the New Yankee Stadium.  Scheduled to open next season, the new stadium will hold 53,000 people, and be (at over $1 Billion) the third-most expensive stadium ever constructed.

There is no pricetag on memories though.  That’s what this article is about.  I am here to reflect at the impact of what may be considered one of the greatest structures ever built: Yankee Stadium.  Before I get to the personal stuff, I think we owe it to take a look back at the illustrious building that changed sports history.

Early in the 20th century, the average baseball stadium held about 30,000 people.  When Yankee owner Jacob Ruppert signed off on a $2.5 Million stadium project however, it was determined over 60,000 would be suitable for the venue.  Unheard of.  Above that, impossible.  How was a team who just won their first pennant in 1921 going to compete against the two other established NY teams (Dodgers and Giants)?  Two words:  Babe Ruth.  After only 284 days of construction, ”Yankee Stadium” was complete.  On April 18, 1923 against the Boston Red Sox, Ruth opened up the ballpark in style with a 3-run homer that ended up being the difference in a 4-1 Yankees victory.  In fact, Mr. Ruth would add 258 more to this before his Yankee career came to a close.  A fellow icon, or horse rather, would follow him on this road.  Lou Gehrig, voted by the fans as the greatest first baseman of all-time, would hold his 2,130 consecutive games played streak at these immortal grounds.  Yet perhaps the greatest moment of his career came when it was all over, July 4, 1939.  Then known as Lou Gehrig Day, now recognized as the first ever Old-Timer’s Day.  Lou delivered quite possibly the most emotional speech in history, etching the words “Today, I consider myself, the luckiest man, on the face of the earth,” in our minds.  A dying man was announcing he was the happiest man on the planet, all because of the Yankees and the stadium’s legacy.  Within 20 years of its opening, Yankee Stadium saw sports history unfold within its walls.

The middle of the century would not go unnoticed for the Ballpark in the Bronx.  Does the number 56 ring a bell to anyone?  Joe DiMaggio set the single-season hitting streak record with this, displaying a legacy unmatched by anyone sense.  While Joey D would patrol Center for 15 years, a young man named Mickey would soon claim that spot.  After years of dominance, him and Roger Maris would battle it out in what is considered the greatest home run race of all-time.  Ultimately, #61 would be hit at the stadium by Maris, against none other than the Boston Red Sox.  After the 60’s however, the stadium would be completely renovated.  Most of the original concrete and all the seats were removed in favor of an upgrade.  Alongside that, the formally in-play monuments were turned into a section called “Monument Park” in left-center field.  “Yankee Stadium II” would have more memories to come for the next 30+ years.

The Bronx Zoo came to town in 1977, with personalities such as George M. Steinbrenner III, Billy Martin, Reggie Jackson, Thurman Munson, Ron Guidry, and oh so many more.  Through turmoil and hell, the team managed to capture a World Series title.  Yet the horror was still to come.  In August of 1979, Munson’s plane crashed, killing the Yankees captain.  The team managed to win the following game in a memorable moment in baseball history, when the late Bobby Murcer doubled in the game-winning run.  While the 80’s was filled with little success for the franchise, the 90’s were still to come.

Dynasty.  That is the one word that would represent the final full decade of the stadium.  Led by Bernie Williams, Derek Jeter, Paul O’Neill, Tino Martinez, and Mariano Rivera, the Yankees established a team that would go on to win 4 of 6 World Series between 1996 and 2001.  Fans would stand behind this seemingly immortal team throughout the 2000’s, as the Yankees became the first team to consecutively draw over 4 million fans each season.  The later 2000’s would be met with much upset for the team however, as well as the departure of legendary manager Joe Torre and owner George Steinbrenner.  It is at this time in which change would become apparent, as it is now.

While I intend to show no bias to this stadium over Shea, this ballpark has affected myself and my childhood in every single way. I remember my first Yankee game ever.  It was in 1995, and I entered the stadium with a star-struck look on my face.  To see the majestic monuments (and kissing Babe’s, imitating Clemens’ daily ritual) and hear the bleacher creatures for the first time was a thrill I will never forget.  When I got to feel the atmosphere of Bob Sheppard announcing the starting lineup for the day’s game, I was in awe.  Sheppard, who is in his late 90’s, will attempt to make an appearance at Sunday’s finale.  He has not been to a game since August of last season.   In fact, I myself was part of a weird time period in Yankee history.  When a section of a beam collapsed on a seat down the third base line, the game was moved to Shea Stadium.  I was supposed to be at that game that day, but as mentioned the game was moved across the city.

It wasn’t all the memories for me that took place in the stadium however.  I will always remember being at home watching David Wells mow down the Twins en-route to a perfect game, or watching Doc Gooden’s No-No.   David Cone’s arm raised in the air will forever be etched in my mind as well whenever I think of Yankee perfection.  The site has also seen a Don Larsen’s World Series Perfect Game and No-Hitter’s for Jim Abott and Dave Righetti.  However, the greatest moment I have ever seen at Yankee Stadium actually took place over two days.

2001 World Series.  The Yankees are trailing the series 2-1 to the National League powerhouse Arizona DiamondBacks.  New York is trailing the game 3-1 in the bottom of the 9th, two outs, Paul O’Neill on second.  Up steps Tino Martinez, a man who I personally knew around the time.  On the first pitch of the at-bat, Tino rips one to center to tie-up the game.  The legend of the Bamtino was now complete.  Later that night, at the stroke of midnight, Derek Jeter presented himself a new nickname:  Mr. November.  This was the first ever World Series game in November, and Jeter sent the game winning homer into the right-field stands to tie the series.  The following night, the score 2-0 in the bottom of the 9th with two outs and a runner on, Scott Brosious replicated Tino’s feat by launching a 2-run home run into left.  The Yankees would take that game, but eventually lose the series.  Nevertheless, it was a beautiful display of unity, as New York had been hit by 9/11 less than two months before.

The one thing that will always stick out at me over all the things I will remember about the stadium would be the Yankees-Sox rivalry.  Throughout the years, the two teams had seen so many remarkable feats.  I will remember both the good and the bad of course.  Whether it be Aaron Boone launching the walk-off (as well as myself into tears) into left field to send the Yanks to the series, or even Game 7 of the 2004 ALCS, those memories will remain with me forever as a sports fan.

Yankee Stadium has witnessed 26 World Series winning teams, as well as what is regarded as possibly the greatest All-Star Game ever, this season’s match-up.

Above you will see some self-taken photos of my list visit to Yankee Stadium.  I can honestly say that I kissed my seat before I left.  I say it with pride as well.  I had tears in my eyes as I took in that sweet and disgusting smell of Yankee Stadium ‘Dogs for the final time, looking past every tile of concrete as I did so.  This is the end of an era, the end of almost a century of playing ball.  Yet as a friend pointed out, this is not the end, but just the beginning.  I know that 87 years from now, my grandson will probably be writing about the demolition of the “New” Yankee Stadium and reflecting back on his memories.  And that’s the best part about this all.  As soon as the tearing-down is complete, I will stand at the plaque that will signify where home plate once stood.  At that point, I will look down, and then across the street at the new ballpark, all with a smile.  Yankee Stadium will never die, and that will be true for all of eternity.