Description: The New York Yankees need no introductions. They are the winningest franchise in baseball history with 26 World Series titles and 39 American League pennants. During the Yankees four straight World Series titles in the late 90’s, they surpassed the Montreal Canadians 24 titles and became the most successful franchise in all of major league sports.
The Yankees were first formed in 1901 as the Baltimore Orioles (no relation to the current team.) After two years, the team moved to New York where they were known as the Highlanders. In 1913, they renamed themselves the Yankees. In 1923, they moved into Yankee Stadium which has served the team until 2008. The team played two seasons (1974-75) in Shea Stadium which is home to the New York Mets, their cross-town rivals.
The stadium is nicknamed “The House that Ruth Built” after Babe Ruth, perhaps the greatest baseball player that ever lived. Babe Ruth had a successful career spanning 21 seasons, 14 of those with the Yankees. Some of the greatest players in baseball at one time or another played with the Yankees. Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, Lou Gehrig, Yogi Berra, and Joe DiMaggio are just a few of the greats that have left their mark. The Yankees are not only known for the many wins but also for their owner, George Steinbrenner, with his strict grooming standards and the unchanged Yankee uniform. The Yankee home uniform has been the same since 1936, a white uniform with blue pinstripes, giving the Yankees the nickname “Pinstripes.” The Yankees are also the only team not to put their players’ names on the back of the jerseys.
Yankee Stadium is located in The Bronx at 161st Street and River Avenue. Ticket prices range from $14 in the non-alcoholic bleacher section all the way up to $400 in the Field Championship section. Like everything else in New York, things can get quite expensive. While watching the game from the Tier Reserved MVP seats, a guy next to me ordered four beers. The total came to $33. They don’t even give you the bottle, but instead they pour it into a plastic cup all for $8.25. Rest assured I waited for my beer at the bar after the game.
Parking at the stadium is another price gouge. The parking lots surrounding the ballpark charge on average $25 to park. The easiest way to get to the stadium is by public transportation; taxi, bus, or subway. The subway and bus is probably the cheapest with only a 25 minute subway ride from midtown Manhattan. Taxis will be more expensive. The Yankee Clipper is a ferry service providing transportation from New Jersey to piers near Yankee Stadium. Since I was staying in New Jersey, I attempted to drive to the stadium and it must have been my lucky night, because I found a parallel parking space two blocks away from the stadium. If you plan to drive also be prepared to pay.
Before or after the game, a visit to Monument Park is a must. It is a section of the stadium that includes retired numbers and plaques dedicated to the Yankees greats. For a Cal Ripken fan, I had to admire the Lou Gehrig plaque. Lou Gehrig played in 2,130 consecutive games and was the first player to have his number retired. On the plaque were the words “A man, a gentleman and a great ballplayer whose amazing record of 2,130 consecutive games should stand for all time.” That was until September 6, 1995 when Cal Ripken surpassed it.
Two thousand and eight is the last season for Yankee Stadium. A new stadium is currently under construction across the street and will retain the same name and most of the same architecture. Because of the construction, many of the parking lots are closed so public transportation is encouraged. Yankee Stadium will host the 2008 All-Star Game in their last year. Their final home series will be Sept 19-21 against the Baltimore Orioles, the team that gave birth to a dynasty.
After each Yankee game, fans are treated to Frank Sinatra’s “New York New York” played through the loudspeakers as the stadium empties out. A tradition to continue hopefully in the new Yankee Stadium.
Games Watched: May 13, 2006 vs. Oakland A’s W 4-3
Close