Goodbye Yankee Stadium

[pjsnyc]

If anyone caught the final game at Yankee Stadium last night, I think you're all in agreement - spectacular ceremony.

The fans showed up early in the afternoon and was able to walk on the field around the warning track...pick up and gather some dirt as a memento. Old Yankees showed up to don their pinstripes one last time in the house that Ruth built. Jeter got a pretty swanky trophy for breaking a record that will never be undone - most hits in Yankee Stadium. It was even pretty cool to see Willie Randolph again, snagging 2nd base with a grin that went from ear to ear.

All the tributes and video recaps of memorable moments at the Stadium were awesome. Each and every one sent chills down my spine. Lou Gehrig's "luckiest man" speech...Maris' 61st HR...Reggie's 3 HRs in 3 swings in the World Series...George Brett's overturned HR (which was later overturned again anyway)...President Bush throwing out the first pitch in the 2001 WS...Aaron Boone's HR in the 2003 ALCS...the monumental collapse in the 2004 ALCS...the list goes on. Memories that will never be forgotten by Yankee fans and Yankee haters.

The cheers were so loud, I decided to mute my television set and sure enough, I was able to hear chants like "BERNIE WILLIAMS!!!...DEREK JETER!!!" Hard to see it go, but like all good things - they have to come to an end at some point. Surely a nice consolation to see them end with a win :)

[Smallville]

A friend of mine flew out from Des Moines, IA to go to that game. Big Yankee fan from back in the day when their farm club was in Des Moines. Haven't talked to him about it yet, in fact I forgot all about it.

[Grogger31]

Not a moment too soon ... the only real ballpark in America is located 4 hours northeast of the Bronx!

:o)

[Vino707]

I thought the whole ceremony was done elegantly. It wasn't over the top which many people thought it would be. It was completely surreal to see Babe Ruth's daughter throw out the first pitch. Jeter couldn't be any more of a class act. In all I thought it was an awesome ceremony and its sad to see the place go.

[golf_junkie27]

Reggie's 3 HRs in 3 swings in the World Series...George Brett's overturned HR (which was later overturned again anyway)...President Bush throwing out the first pitch in the 2001 WS...Aaron Boone's HR in the 2003 ALCS...the monumental collapse in the 2004 ALCS...the list goes on. Memories that will never be forgotten by Yankee fans and Yankee haters.

Yeah, those were some great memories. Reggie should get some more credit though. It was actually four homers in a row as he had homered in his last AB the previous game.

I was there for Bush throwing out the first pitch of Game 3. If there was one night to listen to the cops, it was that night. I saw a guy get his face rubbed against the floor for not listening. It did not help that he was drunk, too. I had not missed a playoff game since 2000. Lots of money, well spent. The greatest memory I'm going to have is Posada's double off Pedro in Game 7. Of all the games I've been to, that was the loudest and won of only two times where I felt the Stadium shake and sway. Plus, jumping up and down with your friends is pretty awesome. I'm glad that Bernie got the send off. He really deserved it. I always felt he should have been named Captain. He played with Mattingly and was there for some of the terrible baseball. Plus, a fact that most Yankee fans don't talk about. At the end of the 2005 playoffs, him and Jeter were tied for most playoff ABs. He had the same amount of hits, more doubles, more homers, more RBIs, more walkoff hits. Ask Rod Beck, Randy Myers and Mike Stanton how clutch Bernie was.

[Grndslmhttr3]

I've been to Yankee Stadium, and, having been to the Vet many times, it was nothing new. Just a big bowl full of legends I guess. As for the stadium, well, I hated it.

EDIT: That reminds me of the last game at the Vet. I was like 10 years old when I was there, and though the Phils lost to the Braves, it was sure a game/evening to remember. My biggest memory of the Vet was seeing Kevin Millwood throw a no-hitter against the Giants.

[golf_junkie27]

I've been to Yankee Stadium, and, having been to the Vet many times, it was nothing new. Just a big bowl full of legends I guess. As for the stadium, well, I hated it.

Yes, the Stadium itself was not great unless you dug the facade. The walkways were too narrow, too. That said, what happened on the field was a thing of beauty, though.

[pjsnyc]

I guess there's a part of me that will be gone forever after they tear the stadium down. I can't recall how many hours I've spent there - growing up watching the Yanks suck, then get real good again in the mid 90s, then choke again starting in 2001.

As another consolation, I believe they will leave a field there anyway for high schools, little leagues, and regular league games. I hope my wooden bat league gets permits for that!

[golf_junkie27]

As another consolation, I believe they will leave a field there anyway for high schools, little leagues, and regular league games. I hope my wooden bat league gets permits for that!

I would hope for your sake that they do. However, every NYC field that has undergone a renovation has been inundated with corporate leagues that HAD NEVER HAD A LEAGUE IN THAT PARK. It happened on the LES, some field at Central Park and it will happen on 53rd and 11th. Disgusting.

[pjsnyc]

I would hope for your sake that they do. However, every NYC field that has undergone a renovation has been inundated with corporate leagues that HAD NEVER HAD A LEAGUE IN THAT PARK. It happened on the LES, some field at Central Park and it will happen on 53rd and 11th. Disgusting.

Inner-city baseball - a whole separate politics...and yes - its is disgusting. I used to have to play on the fields at 145th and Lennox and let me just say this: WEAR A CUP! Ground balls bounce in 20 different directions before it hits you in the nuts.

[golf_junkie27]

I used to have to play on the fields at 145th and Lennox and let me just say this: WEAR A CUP! Ground balls bounce in 20 different directions before it hits you in the nuts.

It's funny you say that. The city had renovated that field and installed new drainage a few year ago. My team played in the EMS league. Well, one night I had a grounder pop up, hit me under the chin and absolutely....lay...me...out. Ah, sweet memories.

[pjsnyc]

It's funny you say that. The city had renovated that field and installed new drainage a few year ago. My team played in the EMS league. Well, one night I had a grounder pop up, hit me under the chin and absolutely....lay...me...out. Ah, sweet memories.

Y'know - it's funny you say that...I was gonna edit my previous post to also point out the numerous times I've almost gotten hit in the head with a ground ball. I mean its one thing to end up wearing a batting helmet on the field (Olerud style), but its another thing when you have to consider wearing a hockey mask!