Wednesday, September 17th, was the last time I will ever step foot in THE Yankee Stadium. Driving up to the game, its all I and my three buddies could think and talk about. New stadium; good idea or bad? Since the first day that the original idea for a new stadium has been discussed, I have been in favor. And while driving to the 'Cathedral in the Bronx' one last time, my argument stayed consistent.
One main reason which I don't feel people consider enough, is the fact that the current Yankee Stadium was renovated in 1973-74. We aren't talking about a few changes made during an off season. The renovations were so extensive that they took two years to complete, as the Yanks played in Shea Stadium during the construction. ESPN Sports Almanac refers to the current Yankee Stadium as "Yankee Stadium II." My point is simply to remind everyone that quite simply, the Yankees are NOT playing in the same place that they opened in 1923. Does this take away from all of the greatness that has occurred in the Stadium since the renovations? Of course not. But fans who think they are going to the same exact park that people were going to in the 1920's are mistaken. In fact, every seat in the stadium was replaced with the renovations.
Another reason why I'm excited about the new Stadium is the fact that the Yankees will have the opportunity to create a brand new legacy in a new park. All the history: the great moments, the 26 World Series Championships, will carry over to the new ballpark. It's not like people are just suddenly going to forget that the Yankees are the most successful professional sports team in this country. But take someone like Joba Chamberlain. If he was to have a Hall of Fame type career, with a few World Series rings and tons of success, then he will do it in what looks to be an incredible, classy, magnificent stadium. And then in 50 years people will be talking about when they used to go to the "new" Yankee Stadium to watch Joba pitch. And then when a 10-year-old steps into the "new" Yankee Stadium for the first time, he'll be watching a game on the same field where Joba Chamberlain once pitched. Legacies can be built and added to, whether a stadium is 10,000 years old or 50.
Yet, all of this seemed to make a lot more sense before the ninth inning. I found myself looking at everything; monument park, the black, the facade, the right field bleachers, the field itself, for the last time. When the final out was made, my group stayed around for a few minutes, taking in the sights one final time. And walking away from the field for that final time, the last thing I saw was the right field upper-deck, and suddenly I pictured the Tino Martinez grand slam landing there in the 1998 World Series against the Padres. I guess the reality of actually realizing I'd never be back finally hit me, because I got a little choked-up. I guess sometime you have to say good-bye to the things you love the most, and look forward to the future where new memories will be made. Thank-you Yankee Stadium; you will be missed.
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I watched the last game at Yankee Stadium on television last night and found myself getting extremely emotional, though I have only been a semi-Yankee fan for about a year. I think everything that has happened in that stadium is simply amazing and the fact that it is being torn down saddens me. So many monumental moments happened there and to think that it will be destroyed is just upsetting. I felt the last game was celebrated very well and many inspirational Yankee players were recognized, but I cannot begin to imagine what it felt like being there. You're lucky you had the opportunity to go and it was nice to read about your experience.
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