September 22, 2008

A Fond Farewell

Yankee Stadium closes after 85 years of baseball

By Andrea Delbanco

When the lights went dark at Yankee Stadium on Sunday night, it wasn't just the end of a ballgame. It was the end of an era. The Yankees played their last game ever in their original ballpark to a sold out crowd. The Bronx Bombers will move to a new stadium this spring.

JULIE JACOBSON—AP The Yankees rush the field to celebrate their final game and victory over Baltimore on Sunday night.

An hour-long ceremony kicked off the emotional evening. Fans, in person and at home, tuned in to say goodbye to the historic stadium and salute legendary baseball players. Yankee greats Whitey Ford, Don Larsen and Hall of Fame catcher Yogi Berra were at the game.

The House That Ruth Built

Yankee Stadium opened on April 18, 1923. The opening ushered in a very good season for the Yankees, who won the World Series that year. Babe Ruth hit the first home run in the ballpark. Ruth, one of the greatest baseball players of all time, earned the stadium its nickname, The House That Ruth Built. His 92-year-old daughter, Julie Ruth Stevens, threw out the final first pitch on Sunday night.

Building the original stadium took 284 days and cost $2.5 million. The ballpark was renovated in 1974, but the new additions were not enough to accommodate the changing times.

ED BETZ—AP Relief pitcher Mariano Rivera collects a container of dirt from the pitchers’ mound after his last game at the original Yankee Stadium.

The new Yankee Stadium will open in April 2009, across the street from the original. It will have larger team stores and more restaurants and bathrooms. The original park sat 56,886 people. The new park has wider seats, and can hold up to 52,325 fans.

One Last Win

The Yankees haven't been having a great season, but a 7-3 victory over Baltimore on Sunday night guaranteed good feelings for their send-off celebration. The win saved the Bronx Bombers from postseason elimination.

"I'm very, very grateful that we were able to win the game," said pitcher Andy Pettitte. Shortstop and team captain Derek Jeter agreed. "It was a perfect evening," he said.

The players rushed the field to celebrate after closing pitcher Mariano Rivera got the final out, and Yankee team members took a lap around the field as Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York" played on the sound system.

The final tally in the original Yankee Stadium: 4,133 wins, 2,430 losses, 17 ties and countless memories for baseball fans.

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