Yankee Stadium (site of)

About this listing

The house that Ruth built, now Heritage Field

Place Details

Place Matters Profile

The New York Yankees played their inaugural game at Yankee Stadium in April 1923. As baseball's first triple-decked stadium adorned with a unique copper facade, Yankee Stadium had an air of dignity that many other ball fields lacked. Over its 75-year history, Yankee Stadium has hosted numerous other sporting, entertainment, and cultural events, earning a place of distinction in the hearts of New Yorkers, and remaining one of the most famous sports arenas in the country. Despite Yankee Stadium's esteemed history, the structure was briefly threatened by the Giuliani administration's efforts to relocate the Yankees to a new stadium, and as of 2006, the Yankee's owner and the Bronx Borough President are supporting construction of a new home for the team across 161st St. in Macombs Dam Park. What would happen to the historic stadium is not yet clear.

The New York Yankees played their inaugural game at Yankee Stadium in April 1923. As baseball's first triple-decked stadium adorned with a unique copper facade, Yankee Stadium had an air of dignity that many other ball fields lacked. Over its 75-year history, Yankee Stadium has hosted numerous other sporting, entertainment, and cultural events, earning a place of distinction in the hearts of New Yorkers, and remaining one of the most famous sports arenas in the country. Despite Yankee Stadium's esteemed history, the structure was briefly threatened by the Giuliani administration's efforts to relocate the Yankees to a new stadium, and as of 2006, the Yankee's owner and the Bronx Borough President are supporting construction of a new home for the team across 161st St. in Macombs Dam Park. What would happen to the historic stadium is not yet clear.

Nominations

Seventy five years of one-of-a-kind historical events.

Originally opened in 1923, Yankee Stadium is generally regarded as the most famous and distinct sports arena in the country. Although it has been substantially altered (1974-75), it is significant due to its location and function in history.

Like in baseball itself, time stops here. So do the 4, B, and D trains. Yankee Stadium is the most democratically accessible, historic, functioning sports venue in New York City. 55,000 at a time, we join the continuum of Yankee baseball and participate in the history of New York.

Yankee Stadium is one of a few remaining historic urban stadiums. Wrigley is a Field, and it has a correspondingly intimate and neighborly feel. Fenway is a Park. Yankee Stadium is a monument, like the Forum in Rome. It stands for something, the chaotic grandeur of New York.

The physical details of Yankee Stadium matter as well! Every inch of that place has meaning, and more is made every season. The interaction of past and present is irreplaceable.

Yankee Stadium is threatened because George Steinbrenner, the owner of the Yankees, is rumbling about building a new stadium across the street, starting in 2006. Misleadingly, he says he will preserve the current Stadium as a historical site. My understanding is that only part would be retained.

Everything at the Stadium works -- there is no need even for significant rehab. One improvement which has unfortunately been linked to the new stadium project is the creation of a Yankee Stadium stop on the Metro North.

For more information:

Official Stadium history and info on the new stadium plans are available at http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/nyy/ballpark/index.jsp

Endangered ballparks, including Yankee Stadium, are profiled at

http://www.ballparkdigest.com/features/endangered_ballparks.htm

(Jan. 2006)