This is one now classic stadium that I can actually say I visited. Several times. It is interesting seeing old pics of the exterior before the 70's remodel. The new stadium looks like the old one did before the remodel.The Yankees Played here from 1923 through 2008, minus 1974-75 when they played at Shea due to the remodel. They played in 39 World Series at the old Yankee Stadium, winning 26 of them.
This park is loaded with history. To think of the all time greats that played there is pretty amazing. Walking through the concourses was like moving through a cave, but the park was open and beautiful. All three perfect games thrown by Yankee pitchers have occurred at the Stadium. Don Larsen threw a perfect game on October 8, 1956, in the fifth game of the World Series, while David Wells and David Cone threw theirs on May 17, 1998, and July 18, 1999, respectively.
Many historic home runs have been hit at Yankee Stadium. Babe Ruth hit the ballpark's first home run on its Opening Day in 1923. Ruth also set the then-league record for most home runs in a single season by hitting his 60th home run in 1927. Roger Maris would later break this record in 1961 at Yankee Stadium on the final day of the season by hitting his 61st home run. In 1967, Mickey Mantle slugged his 500th career home run, Reggie Jackson hit three home runs on three consecutive pitches in the 1977 WS Game 6. In 1983, Goerge Brett's home run, better known as the Pine Tar Incident, the Derek Jeter fly ball that was interfered with by fan Jeffrey Maier, Aaron Boone's extra-inning "walk-off" against the Sox.
at the time of the renovation of the original stadium in the early 1970s, the stadium held a sort of yard sale. i went, as i lived across the street on Jerome Avenue (1005). i remember seeing the old timey balance beam weigh scale from the locker room. i think they wanted 60 bucks. i thought about it and passed. though it would be a fabulous souvenier to have had, i actually don't have any regrets. imagining schlepping that thing around for the next 5 decades is enough to cause me to think 'i had a chance, passed, and made the wiser choice'.
ReplyDelete—Geoff
having just written that comment, browsing this website further and reflecting, i'm reconsidering my feeling about not having bought that scale. i just realized it might be the only thing—the ONLY thing—that was used by every one of those great players. in fact, i'll bet that every Yankee stepped onto that scale at one time or another.
ReplyDeleteoh well.