[wvuauthor]

Yankee stadium is one of the oldest and most historic parks in the entire league. The first game ever at Yankee stadium took place on April 18, 1923 against the Boston Red Sox. 74,200 fans packed the ballpark on opening day, with thousands more waiting outside when park officials finally decided to shut the gates. Before the game the Yankees’ 1922 pennant was raised on the flag pole that sits in deep center field. The Yankees ended up winning the game 4-1 thanks to the bat of Babe Ruth. Ruth hit a three run home run in the third inning to give the Yankees the lead for good.

Later on in 1923 Yankee Stadium hosted their first World Series, which they won over the Giants.

The stadium remained the same until 1946 when lights were added. The first major renovation occurred in the winter of 1966, when new owner CBS put $1.5 million into the stadium. The main purpose of this renovation was to improve the appearance of the stadium. The exterior was painted all white, and the grandstand seats were changed from the original green to blue.

A big step into the future was made in August of 1972 when the Yankees signed a 30 year lease with the city. The lease was contingent on the fact that the stadium would be completely renovated in time for opening day 1976. The Yankees played the 1973 season at Yankee stadium to commemorate 50 years at the park, and then moved to Shea Stadium for the 1974 and 1975 seasons. While they were playing at Shea, Yankee Stadium was being completely rebuilt from top to bottom.

The new stadium was praised for its improved sight lines for fans after the removal of the steel columns which previously supported the second and third decks. One area of disappointment was the removal of the original facade. Fortunately for Yankee fans an exact replica was placed above the scoreboard. The new stadium also contained baseballs first instant replay screen. Back then, this was technology at its finest!

The Yankees beat Minnesota 11-4 in the first game played at the newly renovated stadium. And just like the 1923 Yankees, the 1976 Yankees also hosted the World Series.

To this day Yankee Stadium is one of the most beautiful and historic parks in the league. It all started on a spring day back in 1923 in front of a packed house!

[rmjvol]

Great info, wvuauthor, thanks!

It would be great to hear some 1st hand info from those who have been to games at Yankee Stadium.

What are some of the best seats?
Are there any sections/seats to avoid?
What's the food like?
What makes Yankee Stadium special to Yankee fans?

If you've got any personal pictures that you have taken of Yankee Stadium, share them with the rest of us!

Thanks, Ross

[EmpireWF]

I've been to Yankee Stadium twice. Once in (I believe) 1996, against the Orioles. I sat in the green seats (about two sections high) right near the left field foul pole. It was great because I got to see my favorite duo at the time, Ripken and Alomar.

I went again in '97 or '98, I had seats in the upperdeck behind home plate. They were awesome seats because I got to see into the visitors dugout, the Mariners and saw Randy Johnson (he didn't pitch that day though).

Yankee Stadium is certainly a special place to watch a ballgame, even if you aren't a Yankee fan.

[wvuauthor]

Empire,

I agree, even if you are not a Yankees fan, it is a great experience. If you are lucky enough to get tickets to a game, or have the money to purchase them, you should definitely go for it. It is one of the most historic parks in the game, and one that every fan should experience!

[wvuauthor]

Check out this link concerning the approval plan for a new Stadium for the Yanks...

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_yl...v=ap&type=lgns

[Jersey]

I have been to Yankee stadium, as well as in Steinbrenners box, thanks to my husband's company a few times. I have sat with the Bleecher Creechers, the regular seats, and the luxury box seats.

Of course the best were the tickets in the Box seats. There are historic and signed pictures of the stadium, Yogi, with statues. Yankees logo cups and napkins, fully stocked fridge and food, outdoor heat lamps, and seats right behind homeplate.

The entire field looks exactly like the pictures with the Yankee sign behind home plate, solid, strong and white. Batting practice before the game, the smell of hot dogs and beer, all in the middle of the Bronx. Tailgating parties in the parking lot before the games, crazy traffic, and just a great feeling to be a Yankee fan!

[wvuauthor]

Jersey,

Welcome to the Yankees board! That is so awesome that you got to sit in Steinbrenners box; I can only imagine what that was like!

[ThePundit]

Welcome to a fellow Yankee fan. Steinbrenner's box? Wow! Did you meet George?

[ThePundit]

I must admit, 10 years ago, if someone would have told me that the Yankees would draw 4 million people, I would have laughed in their face.

At that time, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that the Yankees were moving to the Meadowlands. Nobody wanted to go to Yankee Stadium anymore. The neighborhood was run down and the traffic was awful.

I give Steinbrenner a ton of credit for making the South Bronx the place to be.

[Jersey]

Hey!

I never got to meet the big "G" himself but his luxury box was nice. It just happened my husband's company rents out his seats every year and had extra tickets to a few of the games so within a few hours before the starting pitch, I had to get myself to the Bronx. It wasn't too hard when you live in Northern NJ and its a 20 minute drive over the GWB.

The Yankees will live on and who would have known they would be as big as they are today. New York fans have a very strong bond to their sports teams so as long as the players keep playing, we will keep coming!