Yankee Stadium Pre-Renovation

[stadiumbuilder]

And I should add I don't think history is going to be kind to those involved in it's destruction. The Mayor, the Bronx borough president, council members, parks department suits, team owners and executives are all responsible. I wouldn't want my name associated with this deal.

[Mike Wagner]

Dear Friends,

If those who are so hell bent on destroying Gate 2 would use their intelligence and the art of reasoning, they would come to realize that they would be better off keeping Gate 2 as a memorial to Yankee Stadium.

Here's why:

The legend of Babe Ruth casts a bigger and bigger shadow as the years have gone by. The same for other heroes of the past. Why? Because all that's left besides their graves are stories of their great exploits. Those of us who have never seen Babe Ruth have seen photos and newsreels. All we can really do is imagine what it would have been like to have witnessed a home run hit by the Babe in person. His ghost gets bigger and bigger thanks to what he's done for baseball.

The same for old Yankee Stadium. If Gate 2 were to be saved, people would have a chance to see and touch a part of baseball's grandest arena. If Gate 2were to be totally destroyed without a trace, it would instantly join the same league as Babe Ruth and other great stars of years ago. It would become a ghost. And, as we know, ghosts get bigger and bigger as time goes on. There's no stopping it.

If Gate 2 were to be preserved, there would really be no ghost to fight, as people would have something solid to visit and pay their respects to. It would also be a wonderful tourist spot. Once it's gone, NYC and the Yankees would shamefully have no good answers as to why they didn't save it. So, NYC and the Yankees would look bad in the eyes of baseball fans and others who care about history. And, the ghost of old Yankee Stadium would be launched, with nothing to stop it. You can't fight a ghost - especially a beloved and respected ghost.

Ask Babe Ruth, George Washington, Lou Gehrig, Abraham Lincoln, JFK, Humprhey Bogart, Marilyn Monroe, etc.

-Mike Wagner

[Sean O]

So, who exactly would be paying for the Gate 2 upkeep, along with all the other extra fees for keeping it up during demolition?

[SRiley77]

If it's completely demolished, then the historic Yankee Stadium takes on the Obi-Wan Kenobi effect..
"..If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you could possibly imagine.."

Scott Riley

[stadiumbuilder]

So, who exactly would be paying for the Gate 2 upkeep, along with all the other extra fees for keeping it up during demolition?I dunno. Who pays for Mt Rushmore? Or Central park? Or Independence Hall? Or the Washington Monument? Or the New York City Museum? Or The Monticello? Things that matter find their way into budgets(and often things that don't matter), if it doesn't matter to you than make a BIG STINK and make sure you've done your part to prevent the saving of some American History. If you look at the City budget, you'll find they are very good at non-essential spending for no return. Or the Yankees could probably cover the whole thing with a 25c per ticket stub donation, which would generate about $2500 per game. It would also go a long way in the public relation/ goodwill department.

[locke40]

So, who exactly would be paying for the Gate 2 upkeep, along with all the other extra fees for keeping it up during demolition?

Perhaps the Yankees? The richest franchise in the world can't spend a few hundred dollars cleaning it once in a while, or a few thousand dollars keeping it up during demolition? How much do you think this investment would cost? Hundreds of millions?

Wow, that was a lot of questions in one post.

[stadiumbuilder]

Locke, I think all the gate would need is a couple of support columns!

[locke40]

Locke, I think all the gate would need is a couple of support columns!

:laugh:laugh:laugh That would be the icing on the cake! However, I just want a piece of our stadium to remain standing; that's all I can ask.

[jimmyjimjimz]

So, who exactly would be paying for the Gate 2 upkeep, along with all the other extra fees for keeping it up during demolition?

um.............................................duh the city

[Sean O]

All I'm seeing here is a whole lot of passion but no plan when it comes to practicality. Why should the city, or the Yankees, or anybody else pay for something that won't be financially viable to them now or in the foreseeable future? What percentage of people will attend a game at New Yankee Stadium specifically because a freestanding gate from the old park is across the street?

Every interest group thinks their project is the most important in the world. Unfortunately, Yankee Stadium lived in New York City, which has a long and vibrant history of destroying architectural beauty, and virtually zero in preservation. We've seen Penn Station, Ebbets Field, the Coney Island Thunderbolt and now Yankee Stadium torn down because on the whole New York doesn't care about the past. It's both its greatest strength and a giant weakness.

What you're suggesting is that some group do the following:
1). Pay to purchase gate 2, along with fees to the demolition company for the lost salvage/merch and the added trouble of not demolishing a part of the park.
2). Pay several hundred thousand to a million+ dollars to renovate gate 2 to the pre-renovation state. So we're already mostly talking about a reproduction of a reproduction rather than a true preservation.
3). Pay for systematic maintenance of the structure and all upkeep/security from now on.

Why on earth would either the city or the team want to do this?

[stadiumbuilder]

Nobody ever claimed this was the most important project in the world. The city already owns the whole thing , they can't buy it from themselves. And exactly how much maintenance does a freestanding concrete wall require? Like I said, anybody that doesn't like this idea should fight with passion to kill it. Maybe they'll put up a maintenance free monument to commemorate a successful effort of the "don't save the gate commitee, it'll cost money", provided it won't get in the way of the dogs that'll be crapping on the park grass.

[Sean O]

Nobody ever claimed this was the most important project in the world. The city already owns the whole thing , they can't buy it from themselves. And exactly how much maintenance does a freestanding concrete wall require? Like I said, anybody that doesn't like this idea should fight with passion to kill it. Maybe they'll put up a maintenance free monument to commemorate a successful effort of the "don't save the gate commitee, it'll cost money", provided it won't get in the way of the dogs that'll be crapping on the park grass.

You're still not providing any reason why the city or Yankees should save gate 2. It doesn't make any sense for them, at all, to take part in a preservation effort. New York is never going to be a place where architecture is respected enough to maintain, so the only way Yankee Stadium survives is if someone comes up with a darn good business model really quickly.

[4evertribe]

They knocked down a high school back in my hometown and preserved the facade for 1 million. And although the citizenry, including yours truly was skeptical, it really looks good. I'm sure the NYC can cough up the dough. It would be a really nice touch.

[voodoochile]

I dunno. Who pays for Mt Rushmore? Or Central park? Or Independence Hall? Or the Washington Monument? Or the New York City Museum? Or The Monticello? Things that matter find their way into budgets(and often things that don't matter), if it doesn't matter to you than make a BIG STINK and make sure you've done your part to prevent the saving of some American History. If you look at the City budget, you'll find they are very good at non-essential spending for no return. Or the Yankees could probably cover the whole thing with a 25c per ticket stub donation, which would generate about $2500 per game. It would also go a long way in the public relation/ goodwill department.



All of those monuments that you mentioned are all legitimate, bona fide historical landmarks. I don't know who pays for the upkeep, but it's certainly earmarked.
Gate Two doesn't enjoy that distinction, and therefore would need a backer, and it ain't gonna happen.

[stadiumbuilder]

I've said my piece and I'm done. Save it, don't save it, whatever. The fact that we're discussing whether on not a SMALL PIECE of Yankee Stadium should be saved in itself is very disturbing. I really never thought I'd see the end of this place, but here we are.

[Sean O]

I've said my piece and I'm done. Save it, don't save it, whatever. The fact that we're discussing whether on not a SMALL PIECE of Yankee Stadium should be saved in itself is very disturbing. I really never thought I'd see the end of this place, but here we are.

With all due respect, this is a ridiculous, destructive attitude to have. Gate 2 at Yankee Stadium is still standing, and you want it saved, correct? Are you just here to complain about how nobody wants to save it, or are you going to do something about it? 10 years ago Fenway was headed for the wrecking ball, with a billion dollar generic HOK dump ready to go until a bunch of people banded together to stop it.

Come up with a business plan, contact likeminded people who want to help, contact companies who can help finance, and talk to NY government. At least if you fail, you know you did something about it rather than just complaining on baseball-fever.com.

If you're going to find anyone else who wants to save the gate it'll be here, so get organized.

[stadiumbuilder]

The organizing and planning has already happened months ago, thanks in no small part to baseball fever. After lots of private messaging and emailing a plan was created and is now on the table. A strong public relations effort to inform people of what we feel should be done is ongoing. The newspaper article from two days ago is a direct result of what we who've met through this forum have done so far. The save the gate movement was started right here and continues. And landmark preservation projects don't need business plans as they are not "for profit" ventures.

[hallzee]

The city says it'll cost $10M to preserve gate 2? Actually sounds like a deal to me...

[SparkyL]

The city says it'll cost $10M to preserve gate 2? Actually sounds like a deal to me...

I agree - but they offer no insight as to where they came up with that amount . . it could be less.

[Mike Wagner]

A corporation could easily come up with the money. They would receive great public relations. This corporation could also sell souvenirs from a nearby souvenir kiosk to make money. Or NYC or the Yankees could do it.
Instead of paying a person $10 million a year to play baseball, they could have an authentic wall of Yankee Stadium forever. And, it won't let them down.

Or a few millionaires could get together. There's a lot of money floating around. And lots of money gets squandered on far less important things-
lottery tickets, alcohol, traffic tickets, cigarettes, just to name a few. We all waste money on things, and have nothing to show for it.

Possibilities are endless.

I just thought of something funny. Could you imagine if Fred Wilpon purchased Gate 2? Then the Mets would own it. What irony!!!!!!

-Mike Wagner

[Maxlugar]

If anyone here takes the LIRR into the city, you may have noticed a church on the south side of the tracks as you enter Jamaica station. It was very old and it burned down at one point in the 90's. For years they kept the front of the building up. Impossibly thin, made of brick and much taller than gate 2. Finally they built the church back up around it. Thus preserving the historic entrance of what must be a very beloved church. I watched it all happen over the years. If they can keep the the front of that church up, gate 2 would be a snap.

Oh and...

FAKE YANKEE STADIUM FAIL!

Tee hee!

[stadiumbuilder]

I need help again! Does anybody have or know of a photo that shows the outside bleacher wall of the stadium anytime from 1937 to 1973 that shows the spot behind center-left center, right where the wall goes from a straightaway to the curve towards 161st street? There's lots of pictures that show the wall from gate 2 over, but once it gets near the el, the view of those last few sections on the curve is always obstructed. It's about 45' of wall at that point that never seems to show up in any pictures. :crossfingers:

[The Monument]

If anyone here takes the LIRR into the city, you may have noticed a church on the south side of the tracks as you enter Jamaica station. It was very old and it burned down at one point in the 90's. For years they kept the front of the building up. Impossibly thin, made of brick and much taller than gate 2. Finally they built the church back up around it. Thus preserving the historic entrance of what must be a very beloved church. I watched it all happen over the years. If they can keep the the front of that church up, gate 2 would be a snap.

Oh and...

FAKE YANKEE STADIUM FAIL!

Tee hee!

That was St Monica's Catholic Church. I was baptised there in 1961 when my parents lived on 170th St. I believe that my parents were also Baptised and Confirmed there in the 40's. They lived next door to each other on 94th Av, the south side of the Jamaica LIRR station. I think that the roof collapsed on the church. It was Landmarked already, so whatever wasn't falling down had to be saved. That's how the front wall survived. I haven't been past there in years. I thought that York College took it over and built a new building attached to the surviving front wall. Anyway, Gate 2 can easily be saved and maintained. It's a matter of who pays. And of course there is the sneaking suspicion that the NYY don't want any reminder of the old Stadium. This from an organization that is always reminding us of their "History and Tradition".

[voodoochile]

"History and Tradition." They soon find it necessary to research those words to recall their meanings.

[Sean O]

I still haven't seen a single reason why the New York Yankees would spend millions of dollars to maintain gate 2. What business sense does that make? Even with some crappy FA signing, it's at least supposedly to help the team out, while renovating and maintaining a totem of a park they lobbied for years to destroy does nothing.

You're certainly not going to convince the Yankees or the city of NY to keep gate 2 until there's a very clear idea of what's in it for them.

[voodoochile]

"The historic gate was significantly changed when the Stadium was renovated in the mid-70's", as quoted by the Daily News.

I see no significant changes, or any changes for that matter, other than the windows above the door being removed, and the three uppermost vents covered. Now, cover that lie with another lie.

As for why the Yankees or the city should be involved in this project that so many fans would like to see transpire, try this out. How about a little appreciation for filling those 55,000 seats 81 times every year, at top dollar, I might add.

[SparkyL]

I still haven't seen a single reason why the New York Yankees would spend millions of dollars to maintain gate 2. What business sense does that make? Even with some crappy FA signing, it's at least supposedly to help the team out, while renovating and maintaining a totem of a park they lobbied for years to destroy does nothing.

You're certainly not going to convince the Yankees or the city of NY to keep gate 2 until there's a very clear idea of what's in it for them.

PR my friend. And and maybe a tax write off.

Besides, why are the Yankees contributing a nice chunk of money to preserve and renovate the Bush Staircase across the river that used to go do to the Polo Grounds?

[Gary Dunaier]

This from an organization that is always reminding us of their "History and Tradition".

The Yankees have sold their "Tradition"... as well as their "Courage" and "Heart."

Specifically, the "Courage, Tradition, Heart" sign that used to be above the entrance to the Yankees' offices in the old stadium... it went for $32,600 in a Steiner auction (http://auction.steinersports.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=105061714&prmenbr=55076099&aunbr=105408424).

http://akamai.edeal.com/images/catalog2264/folder8004/img8050360.jpg
(apologies for the squishy image but that's what's on the Steiner website... sheesh...)

[voodoochile]

I need help again! Does anybody have or know of a photo that shows the outside bleacher wall of the stadium anytime from 1937 to 1973 that shows the spot behind center-left center, right where the wall goes from a straightaway to the curve towards 161st street? There's lots of pictures that show the wall from gate 2 over, but once it gets near the el, the view of those last few sections on the curve is always obstructed. It's about 45' of wall at that point that never seems to show up in any pictures. :crossfingers:

I think that I might have you covered. I know that River Ave runs behind the Stadium, but not sure about 161st. Isn't it along the left field side? Either way I'll post what I have.

[stadiumbuilder]

That would be great, voodoochile. Gate 2 is on 161st. It's those first sections that come off the straight part of the bleacher wall behind right and center. I need a photo with at least three of those sections together on the beginning of the curve going towards gate 2. If I guess, I risk being wrong.

[voodoochile]

You are correct about that area being elusive to the camera.
As usual, what I thought I had, and what I actually have
are two different things.

[stadiumbuilder]

Thanks, that second photo comes close and helps a little. The wall construction morphs from one style to another along that spot, and for about a year now I've been hoping something would show up, but it's an obscure part of the park that people would have had little reason to photograph.

[SparkyL]

Notice the signs for entrances 1-5 and 6-11. I wounder where gates 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 were and what happened to them.

[voodoochile]

Thanks, that second photo comes close and helps a little. The wall construction morphs from one style to another along that spot, and for about a year now I've been hoping something would show up, but it's an obscure part of the park that people would have had little reason to photograph.

I was hoping that you could get something from the second shot, although it doesn't go to the bottom thanks to the tracks. To be truthful, I'm not sure there I've ever seen a shot of that section, but I'll continue looking.

[voodoochile]

Notice the signs for entrances 1-5 and 6-11. I wounder where gates 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 were and what happened to them.

You just opened another can of worms for me. I had always assumed that even numbers were on one side, and odd on the other. Gates 6-11 killed that. But maybe by the time you get to Gate 11 it's on the other side. Who knows?

Something else. Maybe gates 2, 4 & 6 were main entrances, and 1, 3, 5, 7,
8, 9, 10 & 11 are smaller entrances for employees, etc., and weren't numbered.

[brooklyndodger14]

Thanks, that second photo comes close and helps a little. The wall construction morphs from one style to another along that spot, and for about a year now I've been hoping something would show up, but it's an obscure part of the park that people would have had little reason to photograph.


Using the 1959 main scoreboard (RF) as reference, are you looking for the exterior region moving toward CF as it curves away from the subway tracks?

The only decent views of the area I think you're looking for can only seem to be shot from the subway stairs as you exit the station. Note a different pair of signs for Gates 6-11 and 1-5 adjacent to each other unlike the signs seen in Post #3031 above.

(Photo from 100 Hundred Years: NY Yankees The Official Retropsective, page 17).

Dennis
BrooklynDodger14

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

I still haven't seen a single reason why the New York Yankees would spend millions of dollars to maintain gate 2. What business sense does that make? Even with some crappy FA signing, it's at least supposedly to help the team out, while renovating and maintaining a totem of a park they lobbied for years to destroy does nothing.

You're certainly not going to convince the Yankees or the city of NY to keep gate 2 until there's a very clear idea of what's in it for them.

Maybe in future years, after Jeter, Mariano, Posada etc retire, and they have a few sub-.500 years and they're struggling to get fans to the park, they may wish they had invested the money to preserve part of their history. Because THAT would be a tourist attraction no matter how poor any future teams are playing on the field. Not to mention, it is the right thing to do, IMO.

[Sean O]

Because THAT would be a tourist attraction no matter how poor any future teams are playing on the field. Not to mention, it is the right thing to do, IMO.

But would it really? if we're just talking about maintaining the exterior wall without any context behind it, is it really that important or historical? We're not talking about saving the field where the Yankees won a bunch of post-renovation rings, we're talking about a gate that wasn't even fully built when the park opened.

If we were saying the Yankees should keep the wedge all the way from Gate 2 down to the field then fine, but a simple facade? Yankee Stadium was so much more than that, so I don't see the point. If they kept the front of Ebbets Field standing it still wouldn't mean anything out of context. The park is about watching baseball, not the mechanical, utilitarian act of entering a building.

If you really want a concrete plan, come up with a way for a new building to incorporate part of the YS exterior into a new project. Otherwise we're just talking about a sad reminder of the demolition. There's no reason to maintain a nonfunctional sliver past greatness; a wall from Penn Station or Ebbets doesn't begin to encapsulate the whole.

[The Korean]

I know I sound little harsh when I say this, but if some of you dont like the new Yankee Stadium and cant accept it for what it is, then bye. I dont want you as a fan. Venues dont make history. The team on the field does. This organization is the very same that won 26 WS, the team that Berra, Ruth, and other greats played for. This team deserves a new, grand venue and they got it. If most passionate Canadiens fans (the most storied team in NHL and plays in the most rabid hockey market in the world) can accept new venue, a one with a CORPORATE name, why cant any of you complainers? Its ok to miss the old house, but stop saying the new stadium isnt Yankee Stadium. Its named Yankee Stadium and New York Yankees play there. So, again, if you are gonna keep whining, then stop being a fan of this team. The team doesnt need you, and they certainly dont want you.

[Sean O]

I know I sound little harsh when I say this, but if some of you dont like the new Yankee Stadium and cant accept it for what it is, then bye. I dont want you as a fan. Venues dont make history. The team on the field does. This organization is the very same that won 26 WS, the team that Berra, Ruth, and other greats played for. This team deserves a new, grand venue and they got it. If most passionate Canadiens fans (the most storied team in NHL and plays in the most rabid hockey market in the world) can accept new venue, a one with a CORPORATE name, why cant any of you complainers? Its ok to miss the old house, but stop saying the new stadium isnt Yankee Stadium. Its named Yankee Stadium and New York Yankees play there. So, again, if you are gonna keep whining, then stop being a fan of this team. The team doesnt need you, and they certainly dont want you.

tldr.

Or, you can stay out of the Yankee Stadium Pre-Renovation thread, and let those who don't like the 1.6 billion dollar taxpayer stadium complain about it, dig?

[mets16]

I know I sound little harsh when I say this, but if some of you dont like the new Yankee Stadium and cant accept it for what it is, then bye. I dont want you as a fan. Venues dont make history. The team on the field does. This organization is the very same that won 26 WS, the team that Berra, Ruth, and other greats played for. This team deserves a new, grand venue and they got it. If most passionate Canadiens fans (the most storied team in NHL and plays in the most rabid hockey market in the world) can accept new venue, a one with a CORPORATE name, why cant any of you complainers? Its ok to miss the old house, but stop saying the new stadium isnt Yankee Stadium. Its named Yankee Stadium and New York Yankees play there. So, again, if you are gonna keep whining, then stop being a fan of this team. The team doesnt need you, and they certainly dont want you.

Who do you think you are? If you have an opinion that the new Stadium is a good one, then keep it. However, it isn't right to preach your rambling incoherent thoughts on others. These guys have every right to like the team and the stadium. It shouldn't get to the point when someone stops being a fan when it happens, so the moral of this is to speak for yourself. And do you actually think the team cares what you think about the stadium? As long as you pay for their tickets, buy their food, the organization is happy. It is all about the :flow: pal and don't forget it.

[The Korean]

The problem isnt that people dont like the stadium. You have every right to not like it. But the complaining over how this organization trashed on its history and whatnot, its just silly. If they are a true fan they would accept the new stadium as Yankee Stadium and not pretend its something else. Its our new home, whether you like it or hate it, accept it and stop making it out to be something it isnt. Its Yankee Stadium, period. Like I said, if you cant accept that stop being a Yankee fan.

[Maxlugar]

The Yankees have sold their "Tradition"... as well as their "Courage" and "Heart."

Specifically, the "Courage, Tradition, Heart" sign that used to be above the entrance to the Yankees' offices in the old stadium... it went for $32,600 in a Steiner auction (http://auction.steinersports.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=105061714&prmenbr=55076099&aunbr=105408424).

http://akamai.edeal.com/images/catalog2264/folder8004/img8050360.jpg
(apologies for the squishy image but that's what's on the Steiner website... sheesh...)


Awesome post. This ball club has shat upon the very basics of what it purported to be for at least 50 years. In lean years, I enjoyed going to The Stadium just to be at The Stadium. Cheering Steve Balboni or Bobby Meacham wasn't exactly the big draw for me. It was being at the House That Ruth Built on a summer day that would draw me in. Win or lose I loved being there. This new fake homage to the corporate fair weather fan makes a mockery of this team and it's Pride and Tradition blather. And I'm no class warrior. It's just that when you go about your business claiming to be all about class and history or tradition, you just don't level the greatest sporting venue of all time.

Fake Yankee Stadium Fail.

[stadiumbuilder]

Brooklyndodger14, that pictures comes within 1 section of being perfect. The construction style of that outer wall changes in the first section out of the shot, but is a good photo and helpful, thanks. I've been avoiding construction of that area for close to a year now because of that platform.

[Sean O]

The problem isnt that people dont like the stadium. You have every right to not like it. But the complaining over how this organization trashed on its history and whatnot, its just silly. If they are a true fan they would accept the new stadium as Yankee Stadium and not pretend its something else. Its our new home, whether you like it or hate it, accept it and stop making it out to be something it isnt. Its Yankee Stadium, period. Like I said, if you cant accept that stop being a Yankee fan.

Pray tell, what makes you the arbiter of who is and is not a true fan? It's the same garbage as the "true yankee" concept, some nebulous term to exclude anyone people dislike.

Obviously it hurts your feelings when people trash NYS, so maybe you should either ignore it, or learn to deal with it. Throwing a hissy in a ballpark forum probably isn't the best course of action. Especially in a thread dedicated to the old park.

[The Korean]

I dont care if people trash the new stadium. Just accept it for what it is, a new stadium for the Yanks. If one cant accept that fact how are they a fan? Its just stadium. They are not changing team's name, they are not changing the team's history for crying out loud. Just accept NYS as a Yankee Stadium. And stop calling it fake. What gives you the rights to call it fake?

Its ok to miss the OYS, but whats done is done. Move on. If you cant do that go cheer for the Mets.

[The Monument]

I accept the new Stadium for what it is. I don't like certain aspects of it, I miss the old Stadium, and I still root for the team. It's the management that I can't stand. And I don't see the logic in telling people to go root for the Mets.

[monkeypants]

I dont care if people trash the new stadium. Just accept it for what it is, a new stadium for the Yanks. If one cant accept that fact how are they a fan? Its just stadium. They are not changing team's name, they are not changing the team's history for crying out loud. Just accept NYS as a Yankee Stadium. And stop calling it fake. What gives you the rights to call it fake?

Its ok to miss the OYS, but whats done is done. Move on. If you cant do that go cheer for the Mets.


I think anyone who just accepts the new stadium is not a true Yankees fan. If you don't agree with me, then you can just go root for the Red Sox.

Hey, this is fun.

[voodoochile]

New Yankee Stadium could collapse for all I care. What I want is for this lying SOB to make good with his promise. Since he is no longer involved in the day-to-day operation of the organization, maybe he has deligated his two sons, Heckle and Jeckle to cover for him. Either way, he's so full of crap that his eyes turned brown.

[The Korean]

I think anyone who just accepts the new stadium is not a true Yankees fan. If you don't agree with me, then you can just go root for the Red Sox.

Hey, this is fun.

That doesnt make any sense.

A fan is supposed to stick with the team no matter what. So what if they built a new dig? It sounds like you guys are ready to jump off the bandwagon because Yankees supposedly dumped on the tradition.

What are you going to do about it? Oh wait, right. Nothing. You cant do anything about it. So stop whining. Whats done is already done. If you are gonna root for the team, root for the team and accept whats already done. If you cant overlook the stadium issue, you are not a fan. you cant argue with this. If you cant overlook the stadium issue, you are not a fan. Fan supports the team through and through.

Steinbrenner never said we should preserve the old stadium. How is he a liar? I thought by March 2008 everyone already knew Yankees were building their new home?

[voodoochile]

Steinbrenner never said we should preserve the old stadium. How is he a liar? I thought by March 2008 everyone already knew Yankees were building their new home?



I never quoted him as saying that we should preserve the stadium, but you just did. The quote was for the legacy of the stadium to be preserved, but either way, it's not happening.

How is he a liar? Simple, he lied. He said that the legacy of old Yankee Stadium should never die, and he would not allow it to die.

How does he intend to keep that legacy alive, by demolishing the structure, retaining the ground that it stood on as a park and hanging pictures of it in his office?

The legacy is dying, and he's allowing it. He lied.

[The Korean]

No he isnt. The new stadium is as close to what the OYS looked like in the first place. Before the renovation to the OYS. And the whole NYS just screams Yankees history and tradition.

[YankeeStadium1923]

No he isnt. The new stadium is as close to what the OYS looked like in the first place. Before the renovation to the OYS. And the whole NYS just screams Yankees history and tradition.


I posted this ad a few months ago from the Daily News 1996. I think it's an appropriate response for this Post.

[voodoochile]

No he isnt. The new stadium is as close to what the OYS looked like in the first place. Before the renovation to the OYS. And the whole NYS just screams Yankees history and tradition.

I was there a few times, and I didn't hear it scream anything, because there was nothing to scream about. You can't transfer history from one location to another. NYS screams nothing, because it's done nothing. Where is the history when they haven't yet played a full season?

[monkeypants]

That doesnt make any sense.

A fan is supposed to stick with the team no matter what.

This is preposterous.



...What are you going to do about it? Oh wait, right. Nothing. You cant do anything about it. So stop whining.

You're the one doing the most whining right now.


...If you cant overlook the stadium issue, you are not a fan. you cant argue with this. If you cant overlook the stadium issue, you are not a fan. Fan supports the team through and through.


So, you're saying that a fan is a mindless drone? My-team-can-do-no-wrong is the only attitude that a "real" fan can take.

Well guess what, sport, I am a fan of the Yankees...always have been and (probably) always will be. And I think the new stadium is a travesty. I will not just "accept" the new stadium. It was not necessary, and building a new stadium (and tearing down the old one) means implicitly the loss of something that can't be replaced, the same way it would never be the same if the BoSox built a new stadium.

But don't tell me that I'm not a fan because I don't care for the new stadium. Give me a break.

[monkeypants]

I was there a few times, and I didn't hear it scream anything, because there was nothing to scream about. You can't transfer history from one location to another. NYS screams nothing, because it's done nothing. Where is the history when they haven't yet played a full season?

To be fair, I did hear it screaming---screaming advertising in every corner. And there were ll of those signs reminding me that I was in Yankee Stadium, which is something you wouldn't think fans would have to be convinced about, unless...

[voodoochile]

In regards to an article from the Daily News that was just posted, I had mentioned a couple of years ago about my suspicions concerning George, and I took a lot of heat for it. He was defended for his contributions to baseball, and especially the Yankees, and the championship teams that he put on the field. I agree, but I believe that it was not as it appeared.

Now that it's evident that there are a few who share my thoughts about George, I may not get blasted as I did before. What I have is only speculation. However, if you have an open mind it will add up. I will attempt to give you the shortened version

First and foremost, George is a businessman. He is not by any means a true baseball man. Al Rosen was a baseball man, George is not. What George lacks in the ways of baseball he makes up for with his shrewd business ethics. Our first look at George was in 1973 when he made the deal of a lifetime by purchasing the Yankees for 10 million dollars. Yankee Stadium was doomed from that day.

With the renovation already planned, it was put on hold until George had finalized the deal with CBS. He knew of the plans to renovate the stadium, and used it as leverage later. He began to talk about luxury boxes, and emphasized how important they were if he wanted to keep up with the other ballparks. The renovation gave him fifty, but he wanted a hundred more. He continued with his wishes for the luxury boxes, while allowing Yankee Stadium to suffer from lack of sufficient preventative maintenance. It went as far as to have a section of an I beam drop from the overhead and crush a seat. It was rumored that this "accident" had been planned, but there was no sufficient evidence to support it. However, I find it hard to believe that an I beam could corrode to the point that only a small section would break free. A ploy to demonstrate that Yankee Stadium was unfit for fans? Perhaps. That was rumored, also.

Although I had my suspicions that George was up to no good, I never realized it until they announced the plans to build NYS. On this day, on national TV, George, along with the city council of the Bronx Borough and the Mayor of New York, among others, made it official. He pumped his fist like Kirk Gibson, and had a look on his face like the cat that swallowed the canary. It was at that moment that all my suspicions about him came together for me.

George is a billionaire, and you just don't fall into a position like that. Among other things, one must be insightful, persistent, shrewd and cunning, and a little backstabbing wouldn't hurt. George has all of these traits. Now, with that said, the bottom line to this entire scheme as I see it is that George knew that the renovation would render Yankee Stadium unworthy for consideration as a historical landmark. This, combined with allowing it to deteriorate to a point that would require far too much money to repair, (his words exactly) it is only feasible that the stadium be demolished. He now has the land needed to pay back what he will take for a new stadium.
Just like the article in the Daily News said, the "dump off the Deegan." George knew from the day he signed the papers in 1973 that Yankee Stadium's days were numbered.
A true baseball man wouldn’t even consider demolishing Yankee Stadium.

Like I said, this is the shortened version. There are a lot more instances of things that he said or did that fall right into place. If you doubt this, just look back at his actions over the years.

[stadiumbuilder]

I know this one hasn't been posted. I don't know the date, but it looks like maybe late stage construction of the 1959 scoreboard along with the changing of some ads. Very unusual picture.

[elmer]

Procedures for Calling & Emailing the City to Save the Gate

Mayor Mike Bloomberg & Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe are the two key people who can most quickly reverse the City's current plan to destroy Gate 2. To date, their decision has been based on dramatically false data concerning the gate's architectural originality & structural stability.

To date, the City has argued that the gate was totally renovated in the 1970's & that it will cost $10 million dollars to "stabilize." In actuality, the gate is almost entirely pre-renovation, overwhelmingly dating back to the 20's. Further, it will cost only $1 to 3 million tops to stabilize and complete as a permanent monument. (This does not include all the free services and labor being offered from architects, engineers, iron workers, and construction workers - which would, of course, render the total cost even lower.)


Here's the procedure for calling & emailing:

DIAL

311 From Inside New York City, or

212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675) From Outside New York City

Stay on line for operator, which took less than a minute for each of the tree calls I made. (If not fluent in Spanish, one needs only to press 1 for English; otherwise, you'll need only to wait.)

The operator will greet you and ask the purpose of your call. They only want/understand short answers like:

"Hi. I'm calling to register an official complaint with the City about the Parks Department's decision to destroy Gate 2 at Yankee Stadium and request that a public hearing be held to reverse that decision."

These go to the Park's Department, but are recorded and tracked also with the City's main complaint and request office, thus serving somewhat as a check-and-balance on the Parks Department processing and response.

Giving your telephone number, address, and email address, are all optional. If you do, they promise a response in 14 days. Proof of City residence is not requested, or apparently required.

_________________________

Those wanting to help save the gate should start calling the City immediately and registering their complaint and request.

Of course, for the Mayor's email is also a great place to protest the demolition and request a hearing. This can and should be done in ADDITION to the phone complaint and request:

http://www.nyc.gov/portal/site/nycgov/menuitem.bd08ee7c7c1ffec87c4b36d501c789a0/index.jsp?doc_name=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nyc.gov%2Fhtml %2Fmail%2Fhtml%2Fmayor.html

[SultanOfWhat]

Great pic stadiumbuilder, and good info, elmer.

BTW, a caller to WFAN recently described a Mantle HR he saw in person in the old YS. He said that Mantle, batting RH against Jim Kaat, reached out for a pitch near the outside corner and hit a HR over the 457-foot sign almost one-handed. I looked into it and found this (regarding games in 1967):

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/So8KkiV0GRI/AAAAAAAAJEQ/3RZaUckjfJA/s800/1967%20jul%2025.jpg

So that Mantle homer actually happened, but it was washed out by the rain.

From The Lean Years of the Yankees, 1965-1975, Robert W. Cohen:

http://books.google.com/books?id=PMnmxeEFJHAC&pg=PA147&lpg=PA147&dq=Yankee+Stadium,+The+Lean+Years&source=bl&ots=-v8g3EbY0q&sig=ACVVawFADfhiGul9kCp5mNvp97A&hl=en&ei=8gqPSpkgo6e2B5G-wM4E&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1#v=onepage&q=&f=false

BTW, another online book (Mickey Mantle's Greatest Hits) has this pic of Mantle's 502-foot HR over the 461 sign that shows the ball:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/So8NWplSBEI/AAAAAAAAJFE/Gej7lIigiEw/s800/Fullscreen%20capture%208102009%2061850%20PM.jpg

Other views for perspective:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/So8RP19IHHI/AAAAAAAAJFg/gPY2KCJ2kFM/s800/YS1940%2520I.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/ShCwgpSDo_I/AAAAAAAAGHk/KEXqA7glZyQ/s800/c.jpg

[voodoochile]

WOW! I log in and there are three posts since last night that are just killer. That scoreboard is one that I don't ever recall seeing, I think. I've seen it with the old style logo where the clock once was, but the protruding team names is new to me. I wonder if the Yellow Pages ad is coming or going. That, along with some other rare placements of things such as the umpires it the upper right corner may narrow it down. When did Philly get the old one?

Then someone with his head in the right place finally hooks us up with what we need to possibly make a difference regarding Gate Two, or at least make some waves and let them know we're here. There's still plenty of time. Thanks

Finally, unless it's obvious BS, I will believe anything that someone tells me about Ruth or Mantle when it regards hitting a baseball. It's sort of what Waite Hoyt, I believe, once said about Ruth. "I stopped telling people stories about the Babe when I realized they didn't believe me."

It's nice to log on and see no one complaining, myself included.

[stadiumbuilder]

I tried three times to shrink that photo down so it would be easier to view, but the smallest it would go was 506KB. Maybe it's just as well, there's some interesting details in it, like that worker poking out of one of the slots near the top right. While I have no date on it, it believe it was taken during it's 1959 installation.

[Lpeters199]

I tried three times to shrink that photo down so it would be easier to view, but the smallest it would go was 506KB. Maybe it's just as well, there's some interesting details in it, like that worker poking out of one of the slots near the top right. While I have no date on it, it believe it was taken during it's 1959 installation.

Here's a smaller version of that great shot:

[Lpeters199]

WOW! I log in and there are three posts since last night that are just killer. That scoreboard is one that I don't ever recall seeing, I think. I've seen it with the old style logo where the clock once was, but the protruding team names is new to me. I wonder if the Yellow Pages ad is coming or going. That, along with some other rare placements of things such as the umpires it the upper right corner may narrow it down. When did Philly get the old one?

Then someone with his head in the right place finally hooks us up with what we need to possibly make a difference regarding Gate Two, or at least make some waves and let them know we're here. There's still plenty of time. Thanks

Finally, unless it's obvious BS, I will believe anything that someone tells me about Ruth or Mantle when it regards hitting a baseball. It's sort of what Waite Hoyt, I believe, once said about Ruth. "I stopped telling people stories about the Babe when I realized they didn't believe me."

It's nice to log on and see no one complaining, myself included.

Good! Maybe you'll be the first person to believe this one. On June 20, 1956, at Briggs Stadium in Detroit, I saw Mantle hit two balls into the upper deck bleachers in straight centerfield over the 440 ft. sign, in the general area where this picture was taken from. Mickey did it in consecutive at bats. I witnessed them, but whenever I tell someone about them, I get that "yeah, sure" look.

Incidentally, 50,000 Tigers fans went crazy over those shots. Even though they cost Detroit the game, we all knew we'd seen something very special.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/smeenge/3614088961/

[Gylmar]

I tried three times to shrink that photo down so it would be easier to view, but the smallest it would go was 506KB. Maybe it's just as well, there's some interesting details in it, like that worker poking out of one of the slots near the top right. While I have no date on it, it believe it was taken during it's 1959 installation.

Yes it was taken before Opening Day 1959 against the Red Sox. Baseball-reference confirms it by the date of the Baltimore game which followed Boston into the Stadium in 1959.

It's amazing to see that the back portion of the board is not built yet, the part that would house the men operating from inside the board. Later on that would be where the scoreboard letters would be stored that you can see stacked up in the bleachers.

GREAT PIC!!!! :waving

[The Monument]

In regards to an article from the Daily News that was just posted, I had mentioned a couple of years ago about my suspicions concerning George, and I took a lot of heat for it. He was defended for his contributions to baseball, and especially the Yankees, and the championship teams that he put on the field. I agree, but I believe that it was not as it appeared.

Now that it's evident that there are a few who share my thoughts about George, I may not get blasted as I did before. What I have is only speculation. However, if you have an open mind it will add up. I will attempt to give you the shortened version

First and foremost, George is a businessman. He is not by any means a true baseball man. Al Rosen was a baseball man, George is not. What George lacks in the ways of baseball he makes up for with his shrewd business ethics. Our first look at George was in 1973 when he made the deal of a lifetime by purchasing the Yankees for 10 million dollars. Yankee Stadium was doomed from that day.

With the renovation already planned, it was put on hold until George had finalized the deal with CBS. He knew of the plans to renovate the stadium, and used it as leverage later. He began to talk about luxury boxes, and emphasized how important they were if he wanted to keep up with the other ballparks. The renovation gave him fifty, but he wanted a hundred more. He continued with his wishes for the luxury boxes, while allowing Yankee Stadium to suffer from lack of sufficient preventative maintenance. It went as far as to have a section of an I beam drop from the overhead and crush a seat. It was rumored that this "accident" had been planned, but there was no sufficient evidence to support it. However, I find it hard to believe that an I beam could corrode to the point that only a small section would break free. A ploy to demonstrate that Yankee Stadium was unfit for fans? Perhaps. That was rumored, also.

Although I had my suspicions that George was up to no good, I never realized it until they announced the plans to build NYS. On this day, on national TV, George, along with the city council of the Bronx Borough and the Mayor of New York, among others, made it official. He pumped his fist like Kirk Gibson, and had a look on his face like the cat that swallowed the canary. It was at that moment that all my suspicions about him came together for me.

George is a billionaire, and you just don't fall into a position like that. Among other things, one must be insightful, persistent, shrewd and cunning, and a little backstabbing wouldn't hurt. George has all of these traits. Now, with that said, the bottom line to this entire scheme as I see it is that George knew that the renovation would render Yankee Stadium unworthy for consideration as a historical landmark. This, combined with allowing it to deteriorate to a point that would require far too much money to repair, (his words exactly) it is only feasible that the stadium be demolished. He now has the land needed to pay back what he will take for a new stadium.
Just like the article in the Daily News said, the "dump off the Deegan." George knew from the day he signed the papers in 1973 that Yankee Stadium's days were numbered.
A true baseball man wouldn’t even consider demolishing Yankee Stadium.

Like I said, this is the shortened version. There are a lot more instances of things that he said or did that fall right into place. If you doubt this, just look back at his actions over the years.

Eddie, some here may think that you're crazy, or a conspiracy theorist. But I agree with everything that you said, including the falling beam theory.

[elmer]

Mantle's home runs: Hoeft charted Mickey's deep LC homer a little higher than Foytack did but
only a little.
A fair number of players have hit home runs into the center field upper deck of bleachers
Two of the longest other than Mantle's were by Frank Howard near the back wall in deep left center
and Foxx almost to the same place. Howard's would measure about 468 or more to the spot
it landed.

[voodoochile]

[QUOTE=Lpeters199;1596482]Good! Maybe you'll be the first person to believe this one. On June 20, 1956, at Briggs Stadium in Detroit, I saw Mantle hit two balls into the upper deck bleachers in straight centerfield over the 440 ft. sign, in the general area where this picture was taken from. Mickey did it in consecutive at bats. I witnessed them, but whenever I tell someone about them, I get that "yeah, sure" look.

Incidentally, 50,000 Tigers fans went crazy over those shots. Even though they cost Detroit the game, we all knew we'd seen something very special.



Man, you must be older than dirt, because I'm pushin' 60 and can barely remember 1956 if at all. However, I believe you completely. Follow this link and you'll see why I believe you.

http://www.themick.com/10homers.html#Home%20Run%20#1

[voodoochile]

Eddie, some here may think that you're crazy, or a conspiracy theorist. But I agree with everything that you said, including the falling beam theory.


Maybe I am a little off keel, but nearly everything that George ever said had holes in it. Depending on how you defined certain words, what he says could have multiple meanings. He once said something that infered that Yankee Stadium wouldn't be demolished, then recanted it by saying that he was refering to saving the ground. I thought, damn George, that's mighty nice of you. Of course your gonna' save the ground. Where the hell are you gonna take it? It's always like that with him.

Furthermore, if you want me to pat him on the back for bringing championships back to the Bronx, don't hold your breath. His only concern in that aspect was to get a return on the money that he had invested in the Yankees. It's a classic example of spending money to make money, and he's good at it. That's why he's wealthy.

[Lpeters199]

[QUOTE=Lpeters199;1596482]Good! Maybe you'll be the first person to believe this one. On June 20, 1956, at Briggs Stadium in Detroit, I saw Mantle hit two balls into the upper deck bleachers in straight centerfield over the 440 ft. sign, in the general area where this picture was taken from. Mickey did it in consecutive at bats. I witnessed them, but whenever I tell someone about them, I get that "yeah, sure" look.

Incidentally, 50,000 Tigers fans went crazy over those shots. Even though they cost Detroit the game, we all knew we'd seen something very special.



Man, you must be older than dirt, because I'm pushin' 60 and can barely remember 1956 if at all. However, I believe you completely. Follow this link and you'll see why I believe you.

http://www.themick.com/10homers.html#Home%20Run%20#1


Correct. I'm 63 years old--dirt is only 62. I was 10 in 1956, and that was my first major league game. I'll never forget it.

[SultanOfWhat]

Here's something on those mantle HRs in Detroit, from Mickey Mantle's Greatest Hits:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/So-WiRfeMDI/AAAAAAAAJH0/DIHSPqxkIno/s800/Fullscreen%20capture%208222009%2025452%20AM.bmp.jp g

That "The Mick" website link has some value, but the distances are wildly inflated. That said, I can't wait for Bill Jenkinson's next book, which should look into Mantle's home runs in some detail.

[elmer]

Jenkinson's book will list the top 10 longest homers for
a given number of players and a list of those who hit them
the farthest among other things. The top sluggers will
receive about half a dozen pages of text discussing long
shots.

[voodoochile]

This is from a website called "Mickey Mantle: The American Dream Comes to Life." It lists his 10 longest home runs, the first being the shot he hit of the frieze at Yankee Stadium off Bill Fischer in 1963. It was calculated to travel 734 feet if not impeded.

The second longest was during a spring training game at USC's Bovard Field in 1951 before he had yet to play a major league game. This one traveled 660feet and is well documented. USC's football field ran along the right field fence. Mantle cleared both the fence and the football field. He also hit another earlier in the game that wasn't measured that is claimed to have gone close to 600 feet.

The list shows him hitting 5 home runs at least 600 feet, and 1 at least 700 feet. There are more in the 600 foot range, but they have not been calculated, according to the site.

[voodoochile]

Stadiumbuilder, that scoreboard that you believe hasn't been posted here is in photos posted on page one #1, #16 & #18. They are actually photos of the stadium and I believe it's the same scoreboard. Post #16 appears to be the renovation of '74-'75. Ironically, that's the scoreboard that was there in 1973.

[stadiumbuilder]

Yes it was taken before Opening Day 1959 against the Red Sox. Baseball-reference confirms it by the date of the Baltimore game which followed Boston into the Stadium in 1959.

It's amazing to see that the back portion of the board is not built yet, the part that would house the men operating from inside the board. Later on that would be where the scoreboard letters would be stored that you can see stacked up in the bleachers.

GREAT PIC!!!! :wavingThanks, Glymar. You saved me some time. I expected one of you BF slueths to jump on this, so I took that route to confirm the picture date. Good job.:lookitup

[Mike Wagner]

Dear Sean O,

You've made a number of posts saying we lack concrete business plans to save Gate 2. You have me curious. It it were up to you, what specific plans would you have to save the gate?

Thank you.

-Mike Wagner

[stadiumbuilder]

Stadiumbuilder, that scoreboard that you believe hasn't been posted here is in photos posted on page one #1, #16 & #18. They are actually photos of the stadium and I believe it's the same scoreboard. Post #16 appears to be the renovation of '74-'75. Ironically, that's the scoreboard that was there in 1973.Eddie, that particular picture is fresh, photos of the scoreboard already built are a dime a dozen. This is the one and only picture I've ever seen of it being constructed.

[voodoochile]

Eddie, that particular picture is fresh, photos of the scoreboard already built are a dime a dozen. This is the one and only picture I've ever seen of it being constructed.



OK, I understand. I recall seeing photos of it, usually in a shot of the stadium, numerous times, but never noticed the team names protruding like that.

So this is the scoreboard that performed its duty from '59 to '73?

[stadiumbuilder]

The one and only.

[brooklyndodger14]

OK, I understand. I recall seeing photos of it, usually in a shot of the stadium, numerous times, but never noticed the team names protruding like that.

So this is the scoreboard that performed its duty from '59 to '73?

The protrusions are the rotating displays indicating which team would be "at bat". During the game the linescore and lineup displays (as well as the auxiliary scoreboards in LF & RF would alternate between being red or white.

I believe that early on, the team at bat would be the one in red, but sometime later they would be the white one. I have posted pictures on this thread in the past which show both.

Around 1970 or so, the red indicator was dropped entirely and all team displays were white. Red lettering was always used however in the home schedule display beneath the Yankee logo for the next visiting team (current series opponents were listed first in white), as well as the out-of-town scoreboard on the right side.

Dennis
BrooklynDodger14

[Gylmar]

Thanks, Glymar. You saved me some time. I expected one of you BF slueths to jump on this, so I took that root to confirm the picture date. Good job.:lookitup

You're very welcome stadiumbuilder, and thanks again for the great photo! :clapping

[voodoochile]

I just followed the link that Elmer provided us to register a complaint and request a hearing for the Gate Two proposal. I went to Mayor Bloomberg's site and followed another link to the Bronx Borough. The first thing that I saw were land re-zoning proposals, and at the top of the list was 161st Street and River Avenue. The following is what it said, in part.

The Department of City Planning (DCP) proposes to rezone all or portions of eights blocks in three areas along the 161st Street and River Avenue corridors to provide opportunities for new residential, commercial, and community facility development in the civic heart of the Bronx. In conjunction with the rezoning, DCP proposes to create a new zoning district (C6-3D) to facilitate development along River Avenue with its elevated subway line and to employ the Inclusionary Housing Program to encourage development of affordable housing. The 161st Street / River Avenue rezoning is located in Community District 4, and is generally bound by River Avenue on the west, East 162nd Street to the north, Park Avenue to the east, and East 159th and East 153rd streets to the south.

The 161st Street corridor includes a variety of land uses ranging from Yankee Stadium at River Avenue, to Bronx County Courthouse and Borough Hall at the center of the corridor, and the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) Morrisania Air Rights Buildings at Park Avenue. The area has experienced a number of recent public and private investments . . . . .

This may be THE reason why Gate Two may not make it.

[Lpeters199]

From Sports Illustrated June 22, 1959:

[metsfan43years]

Anyone have a picture of the 1966 Old Timer's Game at OYS? I'm specifically looking for a picture of new HOFer Joe Gordon who was there to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the 1941 championship team.

[metsfan43years]

Also looking for any information, hopefully a picture from a game played at OYS on July 13th, 1938 where Joe DiMaggio won it with his 2nd HR of the game to beat the Browns 15-12.

[metsfan43years]

Record setting Yankees hit 13 HRs in a doubleheader

[metsfan43years]

Joe Gordon receiving his MVP award early 1943.

[metsfan43years]

Joe "Flash" Gordon with Flash Gordon author at OYS.

[SultanOfWhat]

Jenkinson's book will list the top 10 longest homers for
a given number of players and a list of those who hit them
the farthest among other things. The top sluggers will
receive about half a dozen pages of text discussing long
shots.

Thanks for that info, elmer. I'll be on the lookout for Bill's new book.

[elmer]

Thanks for that info, elmer. I'll be on the lookout for Bill's new book.

It should be out around the time spring exhibition season gets started
in 2010. First week or so of March.

[locke40]

Scoreboard is disassembled, to round out it's lifetime. FYI, team names still protrude. I can't believe someone thought it was a good idea to renovate the greatest Stadium in the world.

75332

[elmer]

Procedures for Calling & Emailing the City to Save the Gate

Mayor Mike Bloomberg & Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe are the two key people who can most quickly reverse the City's current plan to destroy Gate 2. To date, their decision has been based on dramatically false data concerning the gate's architectural originality & structural stability.

To date, the City has argued that the gate was totally renovated in the 1970's & that it will cost $10 million dollars to "stabilize." In actuality, the gate is almost entirely pre-renovation, overwhelmingly dating back to the 20's. Further, it will cost only $1 to 3 million tops to stabilize and complete as a permanent monument. (This does not include all the free services and labor being offered from architects, engineers, iron workers, and construction workers - which would, of course, render the total cost even lower.)


Here's the procedure for calling & emailing:

DIAL

311 From Inside New York City, or

212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675) From Outside New York City

Stay on line for operator, which took less than a minute for each of the tree calls I made. (If not fluent in Spanish, one needs only to press 1 for English; otherwise, you'll need only to wait.)

The operator will greet you and ask the purpose of your call. They only want/understand short answers like:

"Hi. I'm calling to register an official complaint with the City about the Parks Department's decision to destroy Gate 2 at Yankee Stadium and request that a public hearing be held to reverse that decision."

These go to the Park's Department, but are recorded and tracked also with the City's main complaint and request office, thus serving somewhat as a check-and-balance on the Parks Department processing and response.

Giving your telephone number, address, and email address, are all optional. If you do, they promise a response in 14 days. Proof of City residence is not requested, or apparently required.

_________________________

Those wanting to help save the gate should start calling the City immediately and registering their complaint and request.

Of course, for the Mayor's email is also a great place to protest the demolition and request a hearing. This can and should be done in ADDITION to the phone complaint and request:

http://www.nyc.gov/portal/site/nycgov/menuitem.bd08ee7c7c1ffec87c4b36d501c789a0/index.jsp?doc_name=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nyc.gov%2Fhtml %2Fmail%2Fhtml%2Fmayor.html
In addition to contacting Mayor Bloomberg, it will be of great help to contact the New York Design Commission, which is now considering and may schedule a public hearing into Saving the Gate. Requesting a public hearing and their vote to Save the Gate can be done via the following official email site and phone number:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/artcom/html/contact/contact.shtml

[voodoochile]

Scoreboard is disassembled, to round out it's lifetime. FYI, team names still protrude. I can't believe someone thought it was a good idea to renovate the greatest Stadium in the world.

75332



You can reasonably put the blame of renovating a perfectly good stadium on CBS for being inept and incompetent in regards to maintenance to the stadium. Not only did they allow the stadium to deteriorate, but the team, also.

[brooklyndodger14]

You can reasonably put the blame of renovating a perfectly good stadium on CBS for being inept and incompetent in regards to maintenance to the stadium. Not only did they allow the stadium to deteriorate, but the team, also.

To be fair, it should be noted that CBS/Michael Burke did put money into improving the Stadium with its refurbishing during the winter of 1966-67. The team's declining minor league system was actually on its path from earlier when the Dan Topping ownership was selling to CBS.

Also, though I am not sure how it affected Stadium manintenance, the Yankees were only tenants at the Stadium as it was owned by Rice University and the land itself by the Knights of Columbus.

Dennis
BrooklynDodger14

[Yankee Paul]

Does the K of C still own the land??

[brooklyndodger14]

Does the K of C still own the land??

As a preliminary to the Renovation of 1973-76, NYC purchased both the Stadium and the land beneath it from the respective owners (Rice U. & the K of C), in order to proceed with condemnation and construction.

A really interesting book that delves in detail about Yankee Stadium and the politics behind it's 1923 construction thru the Giuliani years is The Diamond in the Bronx by Neil J. Sullivan (2001, Oxford Press).

Dennis
BrooklynDodger14

[Gylmar]

Scoreboard is disassembled, to round out it's lifetime. FYI, team names still protrude. I can't believe someone thought it was a good idea to renovate the greatest Stadium in the world.

75332

As Mel Allen would say: HOW ABOUT THAT?!

On Friday we saw the OYS scoreboard being built in 1959 thanks to stadiumbuilder, and today we see it being torn down in 1973 thanks to locke40. That was always my favorite scoreboard, so it's sad to see it being ripped apart.

[Lpeters199]

This beauty comes from:

http://photo.net/sports-photography-forum/00TzVV

[brooklyndodger14]

Here's a smaller version of that great shot:

http://baseball-fever.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=75261&stc=1&d=1250901692

From Getty Images, here is another rare shot of the 1959 main scoreboard construction. Evidently it was in operation while being built because there are full lineups and a bleacher crowd in this picture.


Dennis
BrooklynDodger14

[voodoochile]

I have knowledge of Rice University and the Knights of Colombus owning the Stadium and property, but questions of who, what, when, where and/or why have eluded me. Short of getting off my lazy ass and going to the library, I have found nothing on the internet that would provide any information regarding Rice and K of C owning the likes of the New York Yankees and their respective Shrine.

Does anyone have any knowledge how it came about that these two entities would own such properties, how and when they acquired them, etc?

[Gary Dunaier]

This beauty comes from:

http://photo.net/sports-photography-forum/00TzVV

http://baseball-fever.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=75361&stc=1&d=1251132183

Now that's what I call a Gary Shot™! :applaud:

[RationalNYYfan]

Wow that's a really nice looking pic!

[mandrake]

I have knowledge of Rice University and the Knights of Colombus owning the Stadium and property, but questions of who, what, when, where and/or why have eluded me. Short of getting off my lazy ass and going to the library, I have found nothing on the internet that would provide any information regarding Rice and K of C owning the likes of the New York Yankees and their respective Shrine.

Does anyone have any knowledge how it came about that these two entities would own such properties, how and when they acquired them, etc?

I hope this helps......


Rice University:Among the property at one time owned by Rice include the land upon which the Johnson Space Center stands, and a sundry assortment of mansions owned by wealthy, eccentric Rice benefactors. None of them was more distinctive, or unusual, than The House that Ruth Built. Yes, amazingly, Rice once owned it.

The Institute had acquired the venue from 1927 alumnus John Cox, who had acquired all of the capital stock of the stadium holding company in 1955. In 1962, Cox donated it to his alma mater, claiming it was theirs to have and hold, "lock, stock and barrel." Actually, Rice was in an unlikely partnership with the Knights of Columbus in that regard, because, while the Institute owned the stadium itself, the Knights owned the real estate underneath it.

In 1962, the Rice tenant won its second, consecutive World Series. Rice held onto the property after that for nine years--during which time the Yankees never again won a pennant; never played in a World Series. (Was there some kind of Rice Sports Jinx at work there?) The City of New York acquired the property by eminent domain in 1971, prior to the major remodeling job that was put into the stadium. Rice readily acquiesced, to the tune of a $2.5 million condemnation fee.

Knights of Columbus:In July 1962, John Cox gave the capital stock of Yankee Stadium Corporation to his alma mater, Rice University in Houston, TX. The gift included title to the stadium plus primary leasing rights, which over time earned the university $3.7 million dollars. However, the six acres of land on which the stadium stood was owned by the Knights of Columbus, and leased to the Yankee Stadium Corporation. Nine years after the gift was made, the City of New York acquired the “House that Ruth Built” from Rice for $2.5 million.

NY Times story about NYC buying the Stadium and the land:
March 3, 1971

City to Buy Yankee Stadium In Move to Keep 2 Teams

By EDWARD RANZAL

n a move to keep the New York Yankees baseball team and the Football Giants here, Mayor Lindsay announced yesterday that the city planned to buy and modernize the 48- year-old Yankee Stadium, then lease it to the baseball club.

If an agreement to buy the ball park cannot be reached, the Mayor said, the city would take it through condemnation proceedings.

Asked at a City Hall news conference how he could justify committing $24-million in city funds for the plans in the race of a critical money shortage, the Mayor stressed that the money would not be taken from his hard-pressed expense budge, which provides for wages and operations.

Instead, he explained, 25 percent of the funds would come from the capital budget for public construction that is financed by borrowing. The 75 per cent remaining would be raised outside the city's mandated debt limit by floating anticipation notes to be redeemed from proceeds from parking, concessions and leases.

"It will be a strain on the budget," the Mayor said, "but we are committed to it and we need to do it."

After acquiring the property through purchase or condemnation, the Mayor said, the city would lease the ball park to the Yankees on the same terms it leases city-owned Shea Stadium to the New York Mets.

That lease allows the ball club an absolute veto over changes in the structure and subleases for other sports or events.

The stadium, which has bulged with 70,000 baseball fans and has attracted 100,000 to religious rites, would be renovated by the Yankees, with the city ultimately footing the bill. The stadium's seating capacity is expected to be increased slightly.

The announcement of the plan was the culmination of nine months of negotiations by the Mayor to keep the Yankees and Football Giants there. It was greeted enthusiastically by Bronx legislators and Michael Burke, president of the New York Yankees.

Mr. Burke said the Yankees would certainly stay in the city "if things work out." He acknowledged that the ball club had stopped talking and negotiating with New Jersey officials who had been trying to move the team across the river.

A spokesman for Gov. William T. Cahill said that New Jersey would continue its efforts to attract the teams until "notified by officials of the major league teams that they no longer have any interest in moving."

Councilman Mario Merola, chairman of the Council's Finance Committee, said that after acquiring the property the city would probably operate the stadium at an annual loss of $300,000, the same as for Shea Stadium.

A Surprise to Rice

However, he interjected quickly, the loss would be more than made up in terms of out-of- towners visiting the stadium, staying at hotels and motels and spending money here.

The stadium, at 161st Street and River Avenue, the Bronx is owned by Rice University and the land is owned by the Knights of Columbus.

Malcolm Lovett, chairman of the Board of Trustees of Rice University, said last night that the announcement had come as a surprise to the university.

"We just don't know anything about it," he said. "I guess in due time somebody will approach us."

John W. McDevitt, Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, said that tentative discussions about buying the stadium land had been held, but that no figures had been discussed.

The Yankees lease the property, pay maintenance costs and local taxes as well as fixed annual rentals. They sublet the stadium to the Football Giants.

The Yankees have repeatedly complained to Rice University of conditions in the stadium, a spokesman at City Hall said yesterday, and Rice officials have said that they had no money for modernization.

As the first step in the plan, legislation was introduced yesterday before the Legislature in Albany to permit the city to acquire the property as a public place, lease it to the Yankees and permit them to renovate the proposed property.

The entire property is assessed at a total of $5-million. City officials believe that it could be bought for not too much more. The remainder of the money in the fund would go toward new parking facilities and renovating the structure, often referred to as "the house that Ruth built."

Improvements Are Listed

The city has already announced plans for buying an abandoned rail yard five blocks from the stadium, then leasing it to a private concern for parking facilities for 800 cars. In addition, the Bronx Terminal Market will provide for additional parking spaces.

The Mayor also outlined the following improvements in the area:

Arrangements to improve traffic flow by adding additional patrolmen and a new radio communication unit to coordinate traffic in the area before and after a game.

New signs directing traffic to and from the stadium. The IND 161st Street subway station has been repainted and refurbished and renamed 161st Street-Yankee Stadium Subway Station.

Powerful lighting has been installed in the streets surrounding the stadium.

New benches, malls and colorful all-weather arcades will be installed in the area. Also, plans for mini-trains to take fans to and from parking areas to the stadium are being investigated.

To expedite the renovation, with the approval of the legislature, the Yankees would undertake and pay for the work, with the city returning the money afterward.
www.nytimes.com/specials/baseball/yankees/nyy-gid-stadium.html

[locke40]

Now that's what I call a Gary Shot™! :applaud:

Gary, you must be in heaven! Nice clear shots of the buildings on Gerald Ave.!

[Gylmar]

Now that's what I call a Gary Shot™! :applaud:

That wonderful photo definitely is from 1967 as that is the only year that the advertising space on the bottom of the OYS 1959-1973 scoreboard was left blank. :nod::baseball:

[Yankeefan3783]

I hope this helps......


Rice University:Among the property at one time owned by Rice include the land upon which the Johnson Space Center stands, and a sundry assortment of mansions owned by wealthy, eccentric Rice benefactors. None of them was more distinctive, or unusual, than The House that Ruth Built. Yes, amazingly, Rice once owned it.

The Institute had acquired the venue from 1927 alumnus John Cox, who had acquired all of the capital stock of the stadium holding company in 1955. In 1962, Cox donated it to his alma mater, claiming it was theirs to have and hold, "lock, stock and barrel." Actually, Rice was in an unlikely partnership with the Knights of Columbus in that regard, because, while the Institute owned the stadium itself, the Knights owned the real estate underneath it.

In 1962, the Rice tenant won its second, consecutive World Series. Rice held onto the property after that for nine years--during which time the Yankees never again won a pennant; never played in a World Series. (Was there some kind of Rice Sports Jinx at work there?) The City of New York acquired the property by eminent domain in 1971, prior to the major remodeling job that was put into the stadium. Rice readily acquiesced, to the tune of a $2.5 million condemnation fee.

Knights of Columbus:In July 1962, John Cox gave the capital stock of Yankee Stadium Corporation to his alma mater, Rice University in Houston, TX. The gift included title to the stadium plus primary leasing rights, which over time earned the university $3.7 million dollars. However, the six acres of land on which the stadium stood was owned by the Knights of Columbus, and leased to the Yankee Stadium Corporation. Nine years after the gift was made, the City of New York acquired the “House that Ruth Built” from Rice for $2.5 million.

NY Times story about NYC buying the Stadium and the land:
March 3, 1971

City to Buy Yankee Stadium In Move to Keep 2 Teams

By EDWARD RANZAL

n a move to keep the New York Yankees baseball team and the Football Giants here, Mayor Lindsay announced yesterday that the city planned to buy and modernize the 48- year-old Yankee Stadium, then lease it to the baseball club.

If an agreement to buy the ball park cannot be reached, the Mayor said, the city would take it through condemnation proceedings.

Asked at a City Hall news conference how he could justify committing $24-million in city funds for the plans in the race of a critical money shortage, the Mayor stressed that the money would not be taken from his hard-pressed expense budge, which provides for wages and operations.

Instead, he explained, 25 percent of the funds would come from the capital budget for public construction that is financed by borrowing. The 75 per cent remaining would be raised outside the city's mandated debt limit by floating anticipation notes to be redeemed from proceeds from parking, concessions and leases.

"It will be a strain on the budget," the Mayor said, "but we are committed to it and we need to do it."

After acquiring the property through purchase or condemnation, the Mayor said, the city would lease the ball park to the Yankees on the same terms it leases city-owned Shea Stadium to the New York Mets.

That lease allows the ball club an absolute veto over changes in the structure and subleases for other sports or events.

The stadium, which has bulged with 70,000 baseball fans and has attracted 100,000 to religious rites, would be renovated by the Yankees, with the city ultimately footing the bill. The stadium's seating capacity is expected to be increased slightly.

The announcement of the plan was the culmination of nine months of negotiations by the Mayor to keep the Yankees and Football Giants there. It was greeted enthusiastically by Bronx legislators and Michael Burke, president of the New York Yankees.

Mr. Burke said the Yankees would certainly stay in the city "if things work out." He acknowledged that the ball club had stopped talking and negotiating with New Jersey officials who had been trying to move the team across the river.

A spokesman for Gov. William T. Cahill said that New Jersey would continue its efforts to attract the teams until "notified by officials of the major league teams that they no longer have any interest in moving."

Councilman Mario Merola, chairman of the Council's Finance Committee, said that after acquiring the property the city would probably operate the stadium at an annual loss of $300,000, the same as for Shea Stadium.

A Surprise to Rice

However, he interjected quickly, the loss would be more than made up in terms of out-of- towners visiting the stadium, staying at hotels and motels and spending money here.

The stadium, at 161st Street and River Avenue, the Bronx is owned by Rice University and the land is owned by the Knights of Columbus.

Malcolm Lovett, chairman of the Board of Trustees of Rice University, said last night that the announcement had come as a surprise to the university.

"We just don't know anything about it," he said. "I guess in due time somebody will approach us."

John W. McDevitt, Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, said that tentative discussions about buying the stadium land had been held, but that no figures had been discussed.

The Yankees lease the property, pay maintenance costs and local taxes as well as fixed annual rentals. They sublet the stadium to the Football Giants.

The Yankees have repeatedly complained to Rice University of conditions in the stadium, a spokesman at City Hall said yesterday, and Rice officials have said that they had no money for modernization.

As the first step in the plan, legislation was introduced yesterday before the Legislature in Albany to permit the city to acquire the property as a public place, lease it to the Yankees and permit them to renovate the proposed property.

The entire property is assessed at a total of $5-million. City officials believe that it could be bought for not too much more. The remainder of the money in the fund would go toward new parking facilities and renovating the structure, often referred to as "the house that Ruth built."

Improvements Are Listed

The city has already announced plans for buying an abandoned rail yard five blocks from the stadium, then leasing it to a private concern for parking facilities for 800 cars. In addition, the Bronx Terminal Market will provide for additional parking spaces.

The Mayor also outlined the following improvements in the area:

Arrangements to improve traffic flow by adding additional patrolmen and a new radio communication unit to coordinate traffic in the area before and after a game.

New signs directing traffic to and from the stadium. The IND 161st Street subway station has been repainted and refurbished and renamed 161st Street-Yankee Stadium Subway Station.

Powerful lighting has been installed in the streets surrounding the stadium.

New benches, malls and colorful all-weather arcades will be installed in the area. Also, plans for mini-trains to take fans to and from parking areas to the stadium are being investigated.

To expedite the renovation, with the approval of the legislature, the Yankees would undertake and pay for the work, with the city returning the money afterward.
www.nytimes.com/specials/baseball/yankees/nyy-gid-stadium.html

The Yankees also played in the World Series in 1963 and 1964.

[Gehrig27]

Here are some great shots from the book Yankee Colors. I'm new to the whole scanning thing so unfortunately the quality is very poor compared with the book itself.

[Gehrig27]

A few more:

[Mygirljess]

[QUOTE=mandrake;1598372]I hope this helps......

Thanks, I hope "voodoo" is paying you something for all that research. You could have just said

"A really interesting book that delves in detail about Yankee Stadium and the politics behind it's 1923 construction thru the Giuliani years is The Diamond in the Bronx by Neil J. Sullivan (2001, Oxford Press)."

or spanked him to do his own reearch i.e. "getting off my lazy ass and going to the library".

[voodoochile]

mandrake,thanks, I appreciate your time. Very interesting story to say the least, and somewhat confusing in some parts, but that's to be expected when a city, a baseball conglomerate, a university and the Knights of Colombus deal in creative business philosophies.

Not one to frequent in high end deals myself, I do, however, recall that 1962 was not the last appearance of the Yankees in the World Series, but it was the last year they had won it. They were swept by the Dodgers in '63, and lost in 7 games to the Cards in '64. I just happened to be present for game 5 of the '64 series, which was the last World Series game played at the old stadium.

Thanks again for the info, which I will no doubt find it necessary to read a few times in order to figure it all out.

[YankeesFan]

The protrusions are the rotating displays indicating which team would be "at bat". During the game the linescore and lineup displays (as well as the auxiliary scoreboards in LF & RF would alternate between being red or white.

I believe that early on, the team at bat would be the one in red, but sometime later they would be the white one. I have posted pictures on this thread in the past which show both.

Around 1970 or so, the red indicator was dropped entirely and all team displays were white. Red lettering was always used however in the home schedule display beneath the Yankee logo for the next visiting team (current series opponents were listed first in white), as well as the out-of-town scoreboard on the right side.

Dennis
BrooklynDodger14

I know the NY Football Giants also used the red / white display.

[brooklyndodger14]

I know the NY Football Giants also used the red / white display.

That is a good point. They would serve as indicators to which team had posession of the ball.

Dennis
BrooklynDodger14

[locke40]

Great photos Gehrig27!! It really gives you a feel for the atmosphere at the old Stadium. Everything was just a lot more "tighter" back then, and that is a good thing. If this Stadium still existed today (with 60,000+ seats), it would be sold out every single night. No doubt. No doubt in my mind.

[locke40]

There's our beloved old top-hat logo again! I've been trying to pin-point the exact date it was changed to the crappy one they use today. It's been an exhaustive study, and the details surrounding this change have been vague at best.

http://baseball-fever.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=75389&stc=1&d=1251174017

[Gylmar]

There's our beloved old top-hat logo again! I've been trying to pin-point the exact date it was changed to the crappy one they use today. It's been an exhaustive study, and the details surrounding this change have been vague at best.

http://baseball-fever.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=75389&stc=1&d=1251174017

Gehrig27 thanks for the Yankee Colors pics, they take me back to that time and place in a way it almost seems like i'm at the game!

Every time I see the 1950-1958 scoreboard (as in Yankee Colors) and the 1959-1973 scoreboard the first thing I look for is the old Yankee top-hat logo.

[Gehrig27]

The book really does transport you to another era, it has a lot of great pictures of players (including Mantle and Billy Martin playing wiffle ball in the clubhouse bathroom) and the Stadium - I can't recommend it enough.

I love the old top-hat logo too, the current one does the original design no justice. In addition to the one with the blue brim, there was also a variant with light grey that you can see on some old World Series programs.

[Gylmar]

The book really does transport you to another era, it has a lot of great pictures of players (including Mantle and Billy Martin playing wiffle ball in the clubhouse bathroom) and the Stadium - I can't recommend it enough.

I love the old top-hat logo too, the current one does the original design no justice. In addition to the one with the blue brim, there was also a variant with light grey that you can see on some old World Series programs.

That's interesting about the light grey it reminds me of the road uniforms. When I see any color photos of OYS i'll look to see if any of them have that version of the logo.

[mandrake]

mandrake,thanks, I appreciate your time. Very interesting story to say the least, and somewhat confusing in some parts, but that's to be expected when a city, a baseball conglomerate, a university and the Knights of Colombus deal in creative business philosophies.

Not one to frequent in high end deals myself, I do, however, recall that 1962 was not the last appearance of the Yankees in the World Series, but it was the last year they had won it. They were swept by the Dodgers in '63, and lost in 7 games to the Cards in '64. I just happened to be present for game 5 of the '64 series, which was the last World Series game played at the old stadium.

Thanks again for the info, which I will no doubt find it necessary to read a few times in order to figure it all out.

Those errors about the 1963 and 1964 series are directly from Rice University. All of those were cut and paste jobs from Rice, the Knights, and the NY times.

I should have proof read it instead of putting it out there!

BTW, I have not found out how much $$$$ the Knights got for the land in 1971 from NYC. Maybe it was secret?

[voodoochile]

Those errors about the 1963 and 1964 series are directly from Rice University. All of those were cut and paste jobs from Rice, the Knights, and the NY times.

I should have proof read it instead of putting it out there!

BTW, I have not found out how much $$$$ the Knights got for the land in 1971 from NYC. Maybe it was secret?

I realized that it was cut and pasted, but just thought you'd like to know if you didn't know already.

As for the cost of the property from K of C, my reference only says that the stadium and land together were had by the city for $24 million.

It still baffles me, although I read the documents, how both the stadium and land both ended up where they did. I wonder who owns the White House.

[locke40]

The book really does transport you to another era, it has a lot of great pictures of players (including Mantle and Billy Martin playing wiffle ball in the clubhouse bathroom) and the Stadium - I can't recommend it enough.

I love the old top-hat logo too, the current one does the original design no justice. In addition to the one with the blue brim, there was also a variant with light grey that you can see on some old World Series programs.

Gehrig27, this new information about the grey brim really throws a curveball into my research! I have never seen nor heard anything about this color scheme before. What really strikes me is the brown bat color on both. The top-hat logo that was used immediately after the renovation (see below) had white on the bat, rather than the brown. This white carried over when they changed the brim from light blue to white. It also got me thinking: did they choose the color scheme for the Renovated Yankee Stadium after this light blue that was found on the original top-hat logo? Compare the outfield fence with the brim of the top-hat logo in the below photograph. It sure looks similar.

Anyway, as I have pointed out before, the blue brim color scheme made it as late as 1996. I was watching Game 1 of the 1996 World Series, and I happened to notice our beloved logo painted proudly on the roof of the Yankees dugout. It both surprised me and gave me hope that this logo might return someday, as it hasn't been completely forgotten for that long. I really want the Yankee, ESPN, and MLB graphics departments to recognize this beautiful top-hat logo, and return it to us as soon as possible.

http://imgur.com/SGBWy.jpg

[Gehrig27]

It is pretty difficult to pinpoint the moment of the change, but even afterwards they seemed to be used at random. I quickly threw together some old programs and yearbooks to show an evolution of the logo, and it just makes it more confusing :crazy. They started out white, then blue. In '76 it was the current one, only to be blue again for the '82 yearbook. The latest I've seen the blue scheme used was the 1993 yearbook, you'd think they would just keep it already! :laugh

[voodoochile]

After Gehrig27 said that the gray variant could be seen on some older World Series programs, I whipped out a 1949 program to see, and the area in question on mine is clearly pink.

[Mattingly85MVP]

The book really does transport you to another era, it has a lot of great pictures of players (including Mantle and Billy Martin playing wiffle ball in the clubhouse bathroom) and the Stadium - I can't recommend it enough.

I love the old top-hat logo too, the current one does the original design no justice. In addition to the one with the blue brim, there was also a variant with light grey that you can see on some old World Series programs.

I love the logo too...that's why I jumped at the chance to have this...
from the old stadium- used in the Yankees offices there, they had these glass partitions with the logo...mine has some slight stress fractures towards the top but its still structurally sound...I'm looking to frame it and hang it up
Won it on the steiner auction for only $60 due to an error with the site, another went for over $200- haha take that steiner

[Gylmar]

After Gehrig27 said that the gray variant could be seen on some older World Series programs, I whipped out a 1949 program to see, and the area in question on mine is clearly pink.

Now we've got PINK to go along with blue, grey and white! :laugh

[mackenzie]

This beauty comes from:

http://photo.net/sports-photography-forum/00TzVV

Hi Guys - I've found this picture to have been taken August 29, 1967. Score was actually 2-1 Boston, but Lonborg did beat Stottlemyre that day.

It is a great photo. It shows the pattern of fans in the bleachers that I remember angling away from the earlier version of the "black" .

Regards,
Mark

[voodoochile]

[QUOTE=locke40;1600349]Gehrig27, this new information about the grey brim really throws a curveball into my research! I have never seen nor heard anything about this color scheme before. What really strikes me is the brown bat color on both. The top-hat logo that was used immediately after the renovation (see below) had white on the bat, rather than the brown. This white carried over when they changed the brim from light blue to white.



Regarding the brown color on the bat, I haven't even looked to see if I'm correct, but as far as I can recall I don't believe they did anything more than red, white and blue when it was a large logo, for instance, on the wall, or the on deck circle, etc. I only recall the brown on printed material. Could be wrong, though.

[Lpeters199]

Umpire Emmett Ashford at Yankee Stadium:

[voodoochile]

Great shot of Ashford. I wish today's umpires would use some ingenuity and creativeness when making calls. One that I recall from not too long ago is Ron Luciano. When he was working first base he would draw an imaginary gun and shoot you if you were out. He also used to take a lot of heat from the league for some of his antics, too.

[bandit12]

Great shot of Ashford. I wish today's umpires would use some ingenuity and creativeness when making calls. One that I recall from not too long ago is Ron Luciano. When he was working first base he would draw an imaginary gun and shoot you if you were out. He also used to take a lot of heat from the league for some of his antics, too.

I understand what you are saying...but the best umpires are the ones you never notice. The ones that think the game is about them normally make the worst calls and get in the most trouble.

[voodoochile]

I understand what you are saying...but the best umpires are the ones you never notice. The ones that think the game is about them normally make the worst calls and get in the most trouble.

A valid point, but you must agree that SOME of the best umpires are the ones that you never notice, not all of them.

Ron Luciano was, and I believe still is considered one of the best, albiet flamboyant umpires in the league. Yes, he took some heat, and may have gotten himself in trouble, but it was usually for non-baseball related activities. His ability to call a game was never in question.

(Before I take any heat myself from a moderator, let it be known that Ron Luciano was at his best when he worked pre-renovated Yankee Stadium.)

[RationalNYYfan]

As an umpire, it's probably a good thing if the fans don't know your name! :laugh

[voodoochile]

As an umpire, it's probably a good thing if the fans don't know your name! :laugh

That would be dependant on how well you called a game, and how well liked you are, maybe not necessarily in that order.
Indeed, a very tough job, but it appears that, replays and slo-mo notwithstanding, this generation of umps sure blow a lot of obvious calls. A good example; Jeter thrown out at third. Although he averted the tag, the call was sustained with the explanation that the ball was there first.

[locke40]

That would be dependant on how well you called a game, and how well liked you are, maybe not necessarily in that order.
Indeed, a very tough job, but it appears that, replays and slo-mo notwithstanding, this generation of umps sure blow a lot of obvious calls. A good example; Jeter thrown out at third. Although he averted the tag, the call was sustained with the explanation that the ball was there first.

I think it's because of slow-motion replay that we notice that umpires are getting calls wrong. Before television and slow-motion, the call was made, and everyone moved on. Nowadays, we get a thousand different (zoomed-in to holy hell) angles, and see the exact moment of any close play. Unfortunately, umpires are only given one angle, and only .01 seconds to make a call. That's the beauty (and problem) with baseball; I wouldn't want it any other way.

[stadiumbuilder]

I think it's because of slow-motion replay that we notice that umpires are getting calls wrong. Before television and slow-motion, the call was made, and everyone moved on. Nowadays, we get a thousand different (zoomed-in to holy hell) angles, and see the exact moment of any close play. Unfortunately, umpires are only given one angle, and only .01 seconds to make a call. That's the beauty (and problem) with baseball; I wouldn't want it any other way.I totaly agree. Probably not the best time in history to be an umpire. Those guys are being judged using super-slow motion, hidef, mutiple angles. I imagine they are dragged into league offices for reviews from time to time and are shown and taken to task for their mistakes. It must be very unpleasant to make a call against a guy who's making 50 or more times the money you make, on his home turf in a close game. Thick skin definately a requirement.

[Lpeters199]

To some of us--the casual fans--baseball is entertainment, not life and death. And umps like Ashford and Luciano made games much more fun to watch.

[voodoochile]

locke40 and Stadiumbuilder, I agree with you both regarding how umpires are scrutinized and dissected with recent technology. However, if you recall the example in which Jeter was called out, I said "replays and slo-mo notwithstanding."
Yes, I did see the play in slow motion, but after I saw he had blown the call. I'm not perceiving myself as being above the umps, or anyone else. I'm saying that the play was so obvious that it was apparent even on TV that the wrong call was made, and the excuse that the ball beat him to the bag was worse.
Yeah, I like it the way it was, too. Leave the electronics out of it, which they do, so far. But there are still those plays that don't need replays to determine the outcome. Maybe they should allow them to take that extra second to digest what they just saw, because I've seen bad calls on plays that Ray Charles could've made.

[SultanOfWhat]

OK, it is "mother lode" time. I don't know how these pics have escaped being posted on here before, as they are on a website (Ballpark Prints.com) that I believe I've seen mentioned on baseball-fever.

I've asked several times on this thread about the exact dates of the extensions of the LF and RF grandstands, and didn't get a response. Well, these pics answer those questions, and then some.

The link is below. I'm sorely tempted to order some prints:

8.5x11 Unframed Print ($49.00)
11x14 Unframed Print ($59.00)

http://www.ballparkprints.com/productsDisplay.asp?CategoryID=32

March 15 1928 work begins on extending the left field stands beyond the foul pole.
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/Sp_qLdaNZKI/AAAAAAAAJZU/nQRvTFe67_U/s800/March%2015%201928%20work%20begins%20on%20extending %20the%20left%20field%20stands%20beyond%20the%20fo ul%20pole.-..jpg

May 3 1928 the left field stands' iron structure completed and work starts on the trademark 15-foot copper frieze
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/Sp_qLlImBSI/AAAAAAAAJZY/_OnxsBUO7Og/s800/May%203%201928%20the%20left%20field%20stands%27%20 iron%20structure%20completed%20and%20work%20starts %20on%20the%20trademark%2015-foot%20copper%20frieze-.jpg

May 15, 1928 the left field stands with the roof and copper frieze under construction
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/Sp_qL4xaptI/AAAAAAAAJZc/oAZkb19o_s4/s800/May%2015%2C%201928%20the%20left%20field%20stands%2 0with%20the%20roof%20and%20copper%20frieze%20under %20construction-.jpg

June 15, 1928 the left field stands, roof and copper frieze near completion.
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/Sp_qNICGuXI/AAAAAAAAJZg/_COnd7C7bzQ/s800/June%2015%2C%201928%20the%20left%20field%20stands% 2C%20roof%20and%20copper%20frieze%20near%20complet ion.-..jpg

July 3, 1928, the left field stands with the roof and copper frieze completed and the seats starting to be installed.
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/Sp_qNdmGEKI/AAAAAAAAJZk/hG0yPk0YFBE/s800/July%203%2C1928%2C%20the%20left%20field%20stands%2 0with%20the%20roof%20and%20copper%20frieze%20compl eted%20and%20the%20seats%20starting%20to%20be%20in stalled.-..jpg

By the way, two cool pics for the Save Gate 2 folks:

June 15 1928 Yankee Stadium facade left field side under construction.
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/Sp_qNxDIaAI/AAAAAAAAJZ0/ZbyUXzQtmL4/s800/June%2015%201928%20Yankee%20Stadium%20facade%20lef t%20field%20side%20under%20construction.-..jpg

July 3, 1928 side view of the left field stands from the bleachers.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/Sp_qNvCXmPI/AAAAAAAAJZo/NGSsFln1Ifo/s800/July%203%2C%201928%20side%20view%20of%20the%20left %20field%20stands%20from%20the%20bleachers.-..jpg

August 31 1936 with the new concrete and steel bleachers completed fans watch the Yankees vs. White Sox as work starts on the right field stands
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/Sp_qPJkGqaI/AAAAAAAAJXk/hoPskgkgCLI/s800/August%2031%201936%20with%20the%20new%20concrete%2 0and%20steel%20bleachers%20completed%20fans%20watc h%20the%20Yankees%20vs.%20White%20Sox%20as%20work% 20starts%20on%20the%20right%20field%20stands.jpg

October 15 1936 newly constructed ramp.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/Sp_qPiXvUvI/AAAAAAAAJXs/BvYu3ykqzLM/s800/October%2015%201936%20newly%20constructed%20ramp.. jpg

July 15 1936 1st gm Wed DH vs Det, work continues on CF bleachers, work begins on RF bleachers.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/Sp_rScOw7xI/AAAAAAAAJYk/VogTlhRvq0U/s800/July%2015%201936%201st%20gm%20Wed%20DH%20vs%20Det% 2C%20work%20on%20CF%20bleachers%2C%20begins%20on%2 0RF%20bleachers...jpg

[soup]

excellent new additions!

[SultanOfWhat]

Now RF:


March 31 1937 work begins on extending RF facade, in background LF stands completed in 1928.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/Sp_ss6jRk5I/AAAAAAAAJYw/QfJd3XxAsC8/s800/March%2031%201937%20work%20begins%20on%20extending %20RF%20facade%2C%20in%20background%20LF%20stands% 20completed%20in%201928.jpg

April 6, 1937 view right field stands being extended.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/Sp_qQJi1KfI/AAAAAAAAJX4/cpFehQtXafs/s800/April%206%2C%201937%20view%20right%20field%20stand s%20being%20extended..jpg

April 30, 1937 right field stands being extended beyond the foul pole. Note the outline of iron supports on the roof for the 15-foot copper frieze.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/Sp_qQYPL9zI/AAAAAAAAJX8/LnqWe0t7US4/s800/April%2030%2C%201937%20right%20field%20stands%20be ing%20extended%20beyond%20the%20foul%20pole.%20Not e%20the%20outline%20of%20iron%20supports%20on%20th e%20roof%20for%20the%2015-foot%20copper%20frieze..jpg

May 14, 1937 construction on right field stands.
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/Sp_qQuBsniI/AAAAAAAAJYA/zk8Nc9jIKGs/s800/May%2014%2C%201937%20construction%20on%20right%20f ield%20stands..jpg

July 1, 1937 Yankee Stadium right field facade nears completion.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/Sp_qQ7VuFVI/AAAAAAAAJYE/GZ0d6NHbivs/s800/July%201%2C%201937%20Yankee%20Stadium%20right%20fi eld%20facade%20nears%20completion..jpg

August 16, 1937 the final touches on the right field stands with the classic copper frieze.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/Sp_qRBYZb_I/AAAAAAAAJYI/tYwp94Ux3fM/s800/August%2016%2C%201937%20the%20final%20touches%20on %20the%20right%20field%20stands%20with%20the%20cla ssic%20copper%20frieze..jpg

[RationalNYYfan]

Those are fantastic. Were the Yankees planning on extending the grandstand all along, or was it done out of necessity for more seats?

[SultanOfWhat]

Those are fantastic. Were the Yankees planning on extending the grandstand all along, or was it done out of necessity for more seats?

Well, the original plan was for a complete wrap-around of stands (including CF), but construction costs, the limited time available before the Stadium opening, and the realization that such a Stadium would be rather dark changed those plans.

Original plan:
"February 7, 1921, New York, New York, USA --- How the purposed grounds of the New York American League Baseball Club will look when completed in 1923 is shown here. The Yankee stadium is planned to seat 75,000 fans and will be the first ball park in the country. The site is just across the Harlem River from the Polo Grounds, and is convenient to subway, including elevated subways, and street cars. The site embraces more than 10 acres and was purchased from the Estate of William Waldorf Astor. Since 1913, the Yankees have alternated with the Giants in the use of the Polo Grounds. The lease on the Polo Grounds will expire in 1923, and the owners of the Yankees plan to have their new house in shape for the opening that season."
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/Sp_22IwLd_I/AAAAAAAAJY0/MpL9_4UDUgs/s800/YS%20original%20plan.jpg

The Stadium began construction in May 1922, and was ready for baseball by April 1923, so they only had time to build partial grandstands in those 11 months.

The beginning:
"May 6 1922 looking north, construction begins on the site of the current stadium"
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/Sp_qJ05oTXI/AAAAAAAAJWk/Bs3fOPg2ems/s800/May%206%201922%20looking%20north%2C%20construction %20begins%20on%20the%20site%20of%20the%20current%2 0stadium.jpg

[Gehrig27]

Wow, those pictures are fantastic! Hahaha...how did we miss that site? Just browsing around, they have tons of other great photos too. The Baseball Fever crew turns over another rock and solves another Yankee Stadium mystery.

[SultanOfWhat]

BTW, the actual pictures at the website are a bit bigger than the ones I’ve posted here (uploading them to Picasa so they might be seen here shrunk them a bit). It’s worth it to visit the website and save them from there. They hold up pretty well when seen in full screen in Picasa.

[locke40]

I need help again! Does anybody have or know of a photo that shows the outside bleacher wall of the stadium anytime from 1937 to 1973 that shows the spot behind center-left center, right where the wall goes from a straightaway to the curve towards 161st street? There's lots of pictures that show the wall from gate 2 over, but once it gets near the el, the view of those last few sections on the curve is always obstructed. It's about 45' of wall at that point that never seems to show up in any pictures. :crossfingers:

stadiumbuilder, I think this new site that SultanOfWhat found has exactly what you're looking for!! The two photographs below are two that I found, but I am at work, so I can't browse around too much on that awesome site!

http://www.ballparkprints.com/largeimages/NYY1132.jpg

http://www.ballparkprints.com/largeimages/NYY1133.jpg

[stadiumbuilder]

SULTAN OF WHAT- Infreakin' incredible! I've always wondered where all the photos of the left field extention are. LOCKE40- Thank You, thank you....I was still holding up construction of that spot, and in fact tonight I was going to start on it with a guestimate- and it would have been wrong! Incredible timing! I leave my office for a few hours of work and come back to the motherload of rare photos. This thread just keeps getting better. There is a great core of pre renovation fans on here- maybe someday the charter members of a Yankee Stadium Historical Society?

[SultanOfWhat]

Very proud to play any part in the researching of that excellent model, stadiumbuilder.

I love the color and quality of light in this pic (June 15, 1958):

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o164/emstc/June151958-lighter.jpg

A bit brighter to show the seats:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/SqBTOFmvJEI/AAAAAAAAJcM/xiJ6zkkYNc0/s800/June%2015%2C%201958-lighter.jpg

[RationalNYYfan]

Man, how awesome would it be to see a color photo of the stadium and frieze from the 30's! I wonder what the frieze looked like before it oxidized. And furthermore, I wonder if the original parts of the frieze were turning green while the frieze addition was still copper.

[Lpeters199]

Man, how awesome would it be to see a color photo of the stadium and frieze from the 30's! I wonder what the frieze looked like before it oxidized. And furthermore, I wonder if the original parts of the frieze were turning green while the frieze addition was still copper.

How long would it have taken for the frieze to turn green?

[jnakamura]

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/Sp_qRBYZb_I/AAAAAAAAJYI/tYwp94Ux3fM/s800/August%2016%2C%201937%20the%20final%20touches%20on %20the%20right%20field%20stands%20with%20the%20cla ssic%20copper%20frieze..jpg

You can clearly see the expansion "line" in these photos:


http://www.flickr.com/photos/14504460@N02/3815903091/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14504460@N02/3816716586/

[RichardLillard1]

There have been several pictures showing that the copper was indeed darker. Attached is one example that has been shown on this thread before.

Note the considerably darker end sections and the dividing line between old and new on the right field side.


Richard

[RationalNYYfan]

How long would it have taken for the frieze to turn green?

Is that rhetorical? Because I'm not sure, is it something that happens depending on climate?

[Lpeters199]

Is that rhetorical? Because I'm not sure, is it something that happens depending on climate?

No, it's not a rhetorical question--just an uninformed one. I wondered what particular year the copper color might be seen, just in case we get lucky and find a color shot from that era.

[stadiumbuilder]

Copper is a highly reactive metal and would start oxodizing almost immediately. I still think the frieze was put up with a protective coating of some sort. There was lots of copper ornamentation used on various buildings in NY in the late 1800's-early 1900's. Some research into which companies did that sort of work and what standard practices were used would probably reveal what was done at the stadium. Lightly oxodized copper will turn a darker red, then to purple before going to the familiar light green in the final stage. Once it's covered with the green corrosion, it's protected itself from further deterioration. Because of it's strength and workability, it was the perfect metal for the job.

[Gehrig27]

They also anticipated the copper oxidizing to just about the same shade of green that the stadium was painted; therefore keeping costs down by not having to repaint it every couple of years.

[SultanOfWhat]

Richard, do you have a date on that photo?

Here's the section in question, lightened and sharpened a bit:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/SqB7KejlK_I/AAAAAAAAJdc/pNudT-iongc/s800/attachment-2.jpg

Here's the earliest color pic of the frieze that I have (from 6-13-48, honoring Babe Ruth):

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/SqB4fZXE1zI/AAAAAAAAJdA/T6oitLCzVgI/s800/6-13-48.jpg

Does anyone have an earlier pic than that? It seems that if we could find a color pic from 1937 of the right field frieze, we might get a hint as to what the original 1923 frieze looked like before it oxidized. Not very likely, though.

[jnakamura]

Does anyone have an earlier pic than that? It seems that if we could find a color pic from 1937 of the right field frieze, we might get a hint as to what the original 1923 frieze looked like before it oxidized. Not very likely, though.

Kodachrome was "born" in 1937, so it's possible that a high-resolution color photo of Yankee Stadium exists somewhere, although nothing has turned up that anyone has found yet. Color photography before 1940 is very rare, which is a shame when you consider that these pioneering Russian photos are from 1909-1911:

[SultanOfWhat]

Yes, those Russian color photos from 1909-1912 are great. I recently saved about 100 to my PC.

There's also that French photo project from 1909-1929 that I mentioned in the YS frieze thread. It was paid for by Albert Kahn, a French financier, who sent photographers all over the world to take color photos with an "autochrome" color camera. They took tens of thousands of photos. Here's an example:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/Sa9fAmEFw1I/AAAAAAAADkg/scNjuBT4cwQ/s800/window.jpg

Imagine if color pics of the original Stadium were just waiting to be found in the Kahn archives.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/SqCH4xEuR6I/AAAAAAAAJd8/dgxYsqMhdP0/s800/museum1.jpg

But we don't need something that dramatic. There are probably some good color Kodachrome pics of YS from 1937-1947 floating around somewhere. We just have to keep looking.

Here's the earliest color pic I can find of anything to do with the Yankees. Joe D from 1940:

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/ShI-U81LcEI/AAAAAAAAGNc/j1ztbOKrj-0/s800/01%20Jan%201940.jpg

And once again, the earliest color pic of Yankee Stadium of which I'm aware, from 1944:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/SqCJOgw4o8I/AAAAAAAAJeY/kOlKYwtQ0kI/s800/ca.%201944%20g-1.jpg

[Lpeters199]

Maybe someone here would be willing to take a shot at Photoshopping one of the good color photos on this thread.

[Lpeters199]

Very nice pictures at this site:

http://www.ys-stadiumphotos.com/photos.htm

[Lpeters199]

From 4:20 to 5:00 in this video clip, a sparse crowd at Old Yankee Stadium is shown in color.

http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=1621

[bandit12]

And once again, the earliest color pic of Yankee Stadium of which I'm aware, from 1944:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/SqCJOgw4o8I/AAAAAAAAJeY/kOlKYwtQ0kI/s800/ca.%201944%20g-1.jpg

Missiles? Holy Cow! Thats hardcore.

[RationalNYYfan]

From 4:20 to 5:00 in this video clip, a sparse crowd at Old Yankee Stadium is shown in color.

http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=1621

1963 and that place is soo empty?? What gives?

[bobw357]

I have some color slides from the 1942 Army Notre Dame game but unfortunately because of the shadows you can't see the color of the facade. This is the best one I could find.

The facade peeks out from the top left
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o186/bobw_photos/img576a.jpg

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o186/bobw_photos/img576b.jpg

[Gary Dunaier]

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o186/bobw_photos/img576a.jpg


I wish the image were larger, but considering it's a color shot from 1942, that is still an awesome photo! That view hasn't changed all that much in 67 years!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3026/2875488001_2cda49d85c.jpg
(Photo taken September 20, 2008. © Gary Dunaier. Link to upload on Flickr.com: here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14504460@N02/2875488001/in/set-72157607401545368/).)

(Okay, 66 years, since my shot is from last year... c'mon fellas, give me a break...)

[SultanOfWhat]

Those pics are nice. We now have a new "earliest color pic of Yankee Stadium".

In 1942, pics of the RF extension frieze would have been more indicative, as the frieze in that section would have been only 5 years old, and may have shown more of the original color, or the oxidation process. The LF extension of which we get a glimpse in your pics was in place for 14 years the time the pic was snapped. Still very interesting, though.

Here are those pics, a bit brighter:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/SqRfpispNXI/AAAAAAAAJjE/m6xaH3GMtPI/s800/1942%20Army%20Notre%20Dame.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/SqRfpspU2yI/AAAAAAAAJjw/l1HuLy7_nHE/s800/1942%20Army%20Notre%20Dame%202%20orig.jpg

Some interesting color detail in this version (brightened even more):

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/SqRhNFniEDI/AAAAAAAAJjs/3MzitVFNpQM/s800/1942%20Army%20Notre%20Dame%202-2.jpg

Thanks for posting those pics, bobw. If you have any other slides that show a good view of the frieze, please post them. It's very easy to increase their brightness in Picasa or some other photo program. I'll lighten any images you post here.

In fact, even if some of the slides don't show the frieze, they would still be very welcome in this thread. Post as many as you'd like, as many of us would love to see them.

That corner of the LF facade in that pic seems to be the same as seen in this view of the facade from the 1955 WS:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/SqRlb12ggKI/AAAAAAAAJj4/DleEiRLJJNQ/s800/YSfrieze_1955WorldSeriesnew-1.jpg

[Lpeters199]

I could see Yankee Stadium from my apartment window in Flint, Michigan.
This picture was taken at its grand opening in the early 1960s. The Yankees and Tigers players drew a good crowd that day. Seems to me there were more Yankees there than just Ford and Howard. Could Berra and Skowron be standing next to Ford?

[Rob R]

I could see Yankee Stadium from my apartment window in Flint, Michigan.
This picture was taken at its grand opening in the early 1960s. The Yankees and Tigers players drew a good crowd that day. Seems to me there were more Yankees there than just Ford and Howard. Could Berra and Skowron be standing next to Ford?

Definitely not Berra and I don't think Skowron. Great photo. What was going on there anyway?

[Lpeters199]

Definitely not Berra and I don't think Skowron. Great photo. What was going on there anyway?

Here's the brief writeup on Yankee Stadium-Flint. The man in the second row behind the short person (not Berra) is Van Patrick, Tigers announcer.

[Gehrig27]

Found these on ebay...most likely c.1954.

[RichardLillard1]

Richard, do you have a date on that photo?

Sorry, I don't. It's from (I think) the book "Remembering Yankee Stadium"--a scan that was posted earlier in this thread.

If I get a chance, I'll look and see if it lists a year.


Richard

[voodoochile]

Take a good look at that thing. The work that someone put into the design of it, then to construct and install it, along with many more like it. The thought of it being 42 feet wide and 15 tons in weight and hanging from the edge of the roof is almost inconceivable.

Considering this, along with the fact that it was Yankee Stadium's identification, who in their right mind would even think of removing it and selling it as scrap only to have it melted down?

The one thing that has seemed to remain constant since man has walked the earth, whether it be structures, art, ideas, even human life, is that if they don't understand it, they will simply destroy it.

[Arlington Stadium Child]

I too a couple from the early pages and stitched them. One is lower than the other so I didn't crop it.

Anyways, here it is....

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/1392/yankeestitch.jpg

[Rob R]

Here's the brief writeup on Yankee Stadium-Flint. The man in the second row behind the short person (not Berra) is Van Patrick, Tigers announcer.
Thanks for the info.

[Lpeters199]

Jim Piersall catch of a ball hit by Hector Lopez, from 1960 Sports Illustrated:

[SHOELESSJOE3]

Jim Piersall catch of a ball hit by Hector Lopez, from 1960 Sports Illustrated:

Nice one LPETERS, the use of sequence almost brings it to life.

[Lpeters199]

Nice one LPETERS, the use of sequence almost brings it to life.

Thanks. I added the caption to that post.

[tugger]

The beginning:
"May 6 1922 looking north, construction begins on the site of the current stadium"

If this had started with an "In", I woulda had to have sent in the blasphemy police.

http://pandagon.blogsome.com/images/spanishinq0go.jpg

[Gylmar]

I could see Yankee Stadium from my apartment window in Flint, Michigan.
This picture was taken at its grand opening in the early 1960s. The Yankees and Tigers players drew a good crowd that day. Seems to me there were more Yankees there than just Ford and Howard. Could Berra and Skowron be standing next to Ford?

Yankee Stadium store in Michigan instead of Tiger Stadium store, the Tigers must of really been on the skids back then! :confused:

[signals34]

Looking at them old photos of the extentions...I did not know the right field extention used bleacher benches at first ,before the regular grandstand seats....great photos....and also how you could see the dirt hill before the outfield walls ,that were leveled off and the new bleacher walls moved foward...

[locke40]

The OYS was an absolute work of art. A true monument to the great game of baseball. Very disappointed it is not still around. Actually, very disappointed it's not still around.

[RationalNYYfan]

The OYS was an absolute work of art. A true monument to the great game of baseball. Very disappointed it is not still around. Actually, very disappointed it's not still around.

Haha, okay

I just really like the intricacy that was put into buildings in the 20's. It was a mix between Neoclassical and Art Deco, and it was done very tastefully. Nowadays I think buildings are done with practicality in mind first rather than aesthetics. Hopefully the pendulum will swing back to the direction of looks once again. Kind of like the way baseball stadiums went from multi-purpose back to artistic.

[voodoochile]

I did the same thing that Arlington Stadium Child did and stitched some photos of the exact same scene. There are three photos that I took from this thread very early on, and all three were so totally different in color, tone, lighting, etc. that it was a nightmare to make it appear as good as it does.
Both are basically identical except that I added grass where it wasn't, and spent about a week blending in the extreme left of the photo to include the monuments.

[Lpeters199]

Yankee Stadium store in Michigan instead of Tiger Stadium store, the Tigers must of really been on the skids back then! :confused:

No, the Tigers won 101 games in 1961, but they still finished 8 games behind the Yankees. The Tigers ran neck and neck with the Yankees until they were swept in a four game series at Yankee Stadium in mid-September. The rare (for Detroit) pennant race probably accounted for the crowd in Flint.

[voodoochile]

I know that this is a pre-renovated Yankee Stadium thread, and the photo is not, but I thought that maybe you'd enjoy seeing it. I have not seen this picture before from 1978, when Monument Park was still in its infancy and protected by what appears to be a chain link fence.

[Yankees12]

I did the same thing that Arlington Stadium Child did and stitched some photos of the exact same scene. There are three photos that I took from this thread very early on, and all three were so totally different in color, tone, lighting, etc. that it was a nightmare to make it appear as good as it does.
Both are basically identical except that I added grass where it wasn't, and spent about a week blending in the extreme left of the photo to include the monuments.

Wow, that's a fantastic job. Looks like it was an actual panorama taken all at once.

What a tremendous stadium that was. I'm glad to see that "panorama" - it certainly sheds a new light on how beautiful OYS was.

[Lpeters199]

From: http://www.flickr.com/photos/galaxyfm/sets/72157602106021216/

To me, the first picture is a work of art, and the second shows a little of what was behind the seats in the lower deck and mezzanine.

[monkeypants]

I know that this is a pre-renovated Yankee Stadium thread, and the photo is not, but I thought that maybe you'd enjoy seeing it. I have not seen this picture before from 1978, when Monument Park was still in its infancy and protected by what appears to be a chain link fence.

"Monument Park" was never designed as park for viewers to stroll through. It was designed to get the monuments out of the field of play, and served as a divider between the two (moved) bull pens. Monument Park as we know it was a creation of the 1980s.

I love the dimensions of newly renovated YS: check out that 430' to deep LCF (and 417' to CF). You can really see the footprint of the old stadium's playing field.

[soup]

I did the same thing that Arlington Stadium Child did and stitched some photos of the exact same scene. There are three photos that I took from this thread very early on, and all three were so totally different in color, tone, lighting, etc. that it was a nightmare to make it appear as good as it does.
Both are basically identical except that I added grass where it wasn't, and spent about a week blending in the extreme left of the photo to include the monuments.

fantastic work. Do you have a higher res version of that you can post?

[SparkyL]

"Monument Park" was never designed as park for viewers to stroll through. It was designed to get the monuments out of the field of play, and served as a divider between the two (moved) bull pens. Monument Park as we know it was a creation of the 1980s.

I love the dimensions of newly renovated YS: check out that 430' to deep LCF (and 417' to CF). You can really see the footprint of the old stadium's playing field.

And look at how few plaques there were back then . . .

[Paul W]

from '67, telephonic hall of fame and it's origins, being owned by cbs did have some positive aspects... kudos to lou dorfsman.

[Paul W]

the left field aux scoreboard up close...

[locke40]

the left field aux scoreboard up close...

Even the old auxiliary scoreboard puts the new one to shame. Just about every single aspect of OYS was better than NYS.

[locke40]

To me, the first picture is a work of art, and the second shows a little of what was behind the seats in the lower deck and mezzanine.

Beautiful photographs! :applaud::applaud::applaud:

I love the side shots of the OYS, where you can't see any of the dugout, just a sea of fans. I can't imagine how loud OYS would be with today's Yankee fans. The extreme overhang of the two decks, plus the huge roof, would echo the crowd noise to a deafening level.

[RationalNYYfan]

Notice the open concourses in the second pic, kinda cool how the simplicity of stadiums back then made open concourses so easy to achieve

[locke40]

I don't believe this photograph has made it on this thread before. Love the simplicity of the old ballparks. The fans felt a true connection to the stadium and the surrounding area.

http://baseball-fever.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=70966&stc=1&d=1244291312

[Gylmar]

No, the Tigers won 101 games in 1961, but they still finished 8 games behind the Yankees. The Tigers ran neck and neck with the Yankees until they were swept in a four game series at Yankee Stadium in mid-September. The rare (for Detroit) pennant race probably accounted for the crowd in Flint.

I didn't realize that the store opened in 1961, that's the first baseball season that I remember anything from. I remember the Tigers Norm Cash for hitting .361 and hitting 41 homers, and the Yankees Labor Day weekend sweep at Yankee Stadium and of course the Yanks M&M Boys! :cap:

[ericlc129]

Missiles? Holy Cow! Thats hardcore.

Welcome to The Bronx! :rofl:

[Swoboda4]

If this had started with an "In", I woulda had to have sent in the blasphemy police.

http://pandagon.blogsome.com/images/spanishinq0go.jpg

No one expects The Blasphemy Police! Their weapons are fear and surprise.

[Lpeters199]

This is a strange ad for a baseball glove. It looks like Mickey has muffed the catch with his Rawlings glove.

[SultanOfWhat]

Couple of nice pics, not sure if they've been seen seen here yet:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/Sqnabemo_7I/AAAAAAAAJrw/F_vU9aQpCqY/s800/April%2021%2C%201926.jpg
21 Apr 1926, Bronx, New York, New York, USA --- Babe's Still the Kiddies' Idol. Bronx, New York: Though he didn't lambast a four-sacker in the New York Yankees game with the Red Sox at the New York Yankee Stadium on April 22, this scene illustrates the fact that Babe Ruth is still the popular idol of the young bleacherites, and they gave him one grand reception.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/SqnabsoYlTI/AAAAAAAAJr0/UGTHXMY10lM/s800/1949-Phil%20Rizzuto%2C%20New%20York%20Yankees%20short%2 0stop.jpg
New York --- 1949-Phil Rizzuto, New York Yankees short stop in action pose.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/Sqnb2PCd1kI/AAAAAAAAJsQ/v4Ra4NFnRdc/s800/ULY%205%2C%201939%20Firstbaseman%20Ellsworth%20%27 Babe%27%20Dahlgren.jpg
JULY 5, 1939 First baseman Ellsworth 'Babe' Dahlgren

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/Sqnb2po8qCI/AAAAAAAAJsU/Fz7MOlMLoqY/s800/c%201970.jpg2.jpg
c. 1970

[The Monument]

Nice pix. Babe D has the wrong foot on 1b, a common mistake that I see in Little League and mens softball games, but unusual for Major Leaguers.

[SultanOfWhat]

If Babe Dahlgren had his proper (right) foot on the bag, his back would have been to the camera. The photographer wouldn't want that.

Wally Pipp manages a compromise, with a little help:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/Sqpv9EPXg2I/AAAAAAAAJsw/L2mAtWBhRbE/s800/August%2030%2C%201953%20wally%20pipp.jpg
August 30, 1953

[Gylmar]

from '67, telephonic hall of fame and it's origins, being owned by cbs did have some positive aspects... kudos to lou dorfsman.


Paul W

Great pics!

Did they move the 1967 Yankees telephonic hall of fame from the CBS building to Yankee Stadium?

Or was there a telephonic hall of fame at each site? :shrug:

[NYFan1stYankFan2nd]

Thanks for the Memories - OYS / RYS!

:cap:

[Robbyb26]

Thanks for the Memories - OYS / RYS!

:cap:

That's really cool.

[Yankees73]

Paul W

Great pics!

Did they move the 1967 Yankees telephonic hall of fame from the CBS building to Yankee Stadium?

Or was there a telephonic hall of fame at each site? :shrug:

I remember that setup in 68 when I was 6. And like the knucklehead that I was and more than likely still am, I really really thought I was speaking to Babe Ruth over the phone!! As usual dad had to set me straight

[The Monument]

I remember that setup in 68 when I was 6. And like the knucklehead that I was and more than likely still am, I really really thought I was speaking to Babe Ruth over the phone!! As usual dad had to set me straight

Haha. You must have thought that the Babe was speaking from his grave in CF, under his monument.

[Gylmar]

I remember that setup in 68 when I was 6. And like the knucklehead that I was and more than likely still am, I really really thought I was speaking to Babe Ruth over the phone!! As usual dad had to set me straight

That's OK, when I was six years old I would've thought that the Babe was speaking to me also! Sounds like you had a fun time at the game! :cap:

[Yankees73]

That's OK, when I was six years old I would've thought that the Babe was speaking to me also! Sounds like you had a fun time at the game! :cap:That and dozens of other times!! Boy do I miss the place.. It was a constant thread in my life. I have not been to the new stadium but from what friends of mine say is that its not a ballpark but an "entertainment center"

[voodoochile]

fantastic work. Do you have a higher res version of that you can post?

Sorry for not replying sooner. Since I put that together from three separate photos, it's all I have. I can make it a higher resolution, but I don't know if it will do any good, but I'll try it just the same and post it tonight . . . provided my dog, my daughter and my phone leave me alone for 10 minutes. Yeah, right.

[voodoochile]

fantastic work. Do you have a higher res version of that you can post?

When I posted it the resolution was 200dpi. I went to 400, 600 & 800 dpi and it only made it more grainy. I also sharpened it at those resolutions with no luck. This is the way it was posted originally, at 200 dpi, but I sharpened it some. This is the best it's gonna' get. I can't fix something that isn't there. Keep in mind that this was done from snapshots posted on the internet.

[Robbyb26]

When I posted it the resolution was 200dpi. I went to 400, 600 & 800 dpi and it only made it more grainy. I also sharpened it at those resolutions with no luck. This is the way it was posted originally, at 200 dpi, but I sharpened it some. This is the best it's gonna' get. I can't fix something that isn't there. Keep in mind that this was done from snapshots posted on the internet.

Its gorgeous...What are you worried about

[YankeesFan]

Hi-

I have two questions regarding football at Yankee Stadium.

- Behind the NY Giants bench late in each season it appeared that the Giants bench was below field level. I've seen on film how players actually had to take steps down to sit on the bench. Does anyone know how this was done? As that part of the field was eventually returned to a level playing surface each spring.

- Near the 463 FT. sign in the outfield during the late '60s, there appeared to be a type of bandshell with chairs inside. Does anyone know who used this?

- Thanks.

[SparkyL]

Thanks for the Memories - OYS / RYS!

:cap:

This is really cool - but, a lot of the original wall of RYS is hidden behind the parking garage . . . any chance you could do another but use the left side of RYS and the right side of OYS?

[SultanOfWhat]

Found this pic in the Babe Ruth picture thread. An interesting view of the structure between the bleachers and grandstand.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/SrMhOrEQ_uI/AAAAAAAAJ_s/YzmRRnzp9Ss/s800/Babe%20Waits%20On%20A%20Pitch%20%28bp%29.jpg

[Anubis2051]

Found this pic in the Babe Ruth picture thread. An interesting view of the structure between the bleachers and grandstand.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/SrMhOrEQ_uI/AAAAAAAAJ_s/YzmRRnzp9Ss/s800/Babe%20Waits%20On%20A%20Pitch%20%28bp%29.jpg

Interesting, I've never seen a picture of that structure from that angle. I wonder if that is a part of the grandstand thats still standing today?

[NYFan1stYankFan2nd]

Interesting, I've never seen a picture of that structure from that angle. I wonder if that is a part of the grandstand thats still standing today?

Yes - it's still standing, for now. It's the out-building(interior concourses, restrooms, concessions, nail salon(OOPS ballparks didn't have those in the 30s!) behind the curved section of RF grandstands added in 1936/37. Essentially it contains Gate 6 just off the #4 line. They just erected the curved Field, Mezz, and Upper levels inside of that structure, between it and the playing field.

Of course to do that, that small scoche of bleachers left of photo had to be removed. Ultimately that is where one of the bullpens(Home?) would reside for the next 40+ years - until the next round of renovations.

[baseballman1243]

Found this pic in the Babe Ruth picture thread. An interesting view of the structure between the bleachers and grandstand.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/SrMhOrEQ_uI/AAAAAAAAJ_s/YzmRRnzp9Ss/s800/Babe%20Waits%20On%20A%20Pitch%20%28bp%29.jpg

Isn't it just the ramps and they built a concourse and stands in front of it?

[SultanOfWhat]

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/SrP6sQxFmWI/AAAAAAAAKBQ/YvQoPQvgrcQ/s800/Yankees%20Old%204-1.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/Sp_qQJi1KfI/AAAAAAAAJX4/cpFehQtXafs/s800/April%206%2C%201937%20view%20right%20field%20stand s%20being%20extended..jpg

[Mattingly85MVP]

found this on ebay....some cool original yankee stadium artifacts...I think this guy is related to brandon steiner (check out the asking price)

http://cgi.ebay.com/Set-of-4-Original-Yankee-Stadium-Seats-and-a-Railing_W0QQitemZ250500552693QQcmdZViewItemQQptZVi ntage_Sports_Memorabilia?hash=item3a52ff17f5&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

[stadiumbuilder]

That railing looks questionable and the seats were repainted after removal, think I'd pass on this one.

[RationalNYYfan]

When I posted it the resolution was 200dpi. I went to 400, 600 & 800 dpi and it only made it more grainy. I also sharpened it at those resolutions with no luck. This is the way it was posted originally, at 200 dpi, but I sharpened it some. This is the best it's gonna' get. I can't fix something that isn't there. Keep in mind that this was done from snapshots posted on the internet.

The last section of the frieze that is seen before the picture is cut off appears to be slightly brighter than the rest of the frieze. Is this the separation line between the old part and the part added a few years later?

[The Monument]

Sultan, thanks for those never previously seen, by me anyway, RF extension pix. Gteat stuff! Your source?

[NYFan1stYankFan2nd]

Isn't it just the ramps and they built a concourse and stands in front of it?

Yes. That prettymuch sums up what I stated in #3217.

[SultanOfWhat]

Sultan, thanks for those never previously seen, by me anyway, RF extension pix. Great stuff! Your source?

http://www.ballparkprints.com/Yankees.aspx

http://www.baseball-fever.com/showpost.php?p=1604704&postcount=3139

http://www.baseball-fever.com/showpost.php?p=1604696&postcount=3137

[The Monument]

Wow! Those are fantastic. Don't know how I missed them first time they were posted Thanks again.

[JCCC]

Does anyone have a picture of it or a link. TIA

[SparkyL]

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/Sp_qQJi1KfI/AAAAAAAAJX4/cpFehQtXafs/s800/April%206%2C%201937%20view%20right%20field%20stand s%20being%20extended..jpg

Interesting that they appear to be extending the grandstand into the bleachers - notice the bleacher benches in the foreground.

But the original bleacher structure was wooden and had to be removed and replaced with a concrete and steel structure. :noidea

[bandit12]

Interesting that they appear to be extending the grandstand into the bleachers - notice the bleacher benches in the foreground.

But the original bleacher structure was wooden and had to be removed and replaced with a concrete and steel structure. :noidea

If you count the "new" columns from your picture above...you will see there are only 2 from the original structure. If you look at this pic below..you will see 6 and it did not go into the bleachers (which is a separate structure). It is confusing though and looks different.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/Sp_qQuBsniI/AAAAAAAAJYA/zk8Nc9jIKGs/s800/May%2014%2C%201937%20construction%20on%20right%20f ield%20stands..jpg

You can also see footers for the steel that had been poured in your picture. They still have the wood frames around them.

[Lpeters199]

Does anyone have a picture of it or a link. TIA

This is from the Sports Illustrated 1957 baseball issue, page 47:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/edb/reader.html?magID=SI&issueDate=19570415&mode=reader_vault

[Sean O]

This is from the Sports Illustrated 1957 baseball issue, page 47:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/edb/reader.html?magID=SI&issueDate=19570415&mode=reader_vault

There is something seriously strange going on with that seating chart. What's with the on-field seating in the outfield? Were there temporary stands for 1957 I don't know about?

[Gehrig27]

There is something seriously strange going on with that seating chart. What's with the on-field seating in the outfield? Were there temporary stands for 1957 I don't know about?

Most likely the temporary football seating. I like how the little write-up gives a critique of the ramps, seating, and (shock) clean bathrooms! Also didn't realize you had to tip the usher for brushing your seat off either.

[SparkyL]

This is from the Sports Illustrated 1957 baseball issue, page 47:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/edb/reader.html?magID=SI&issueDate=19570415&mode=reader_vault

I thought that in OYS the sections were numbered consecutively around the Stadium - which is the basis of the numbering of NYS.

But this diagram shows sections 1 and 2 behind home plate and the odd/even numbering going out from there . . just like in RYS. What was Trost referring to then?

[Lpeters199]

1960 seating chart--post #6:

http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=66618

[YankeeFanBx]

Most likely the temporary football seating. I like how the little write-up gives a critique of the ramps, seating, and (shock) clean bathrooms! Also didn't realize you had to tip the usher for brushing your seat off either.
Yes, you did tip the usher. He would take your ticket , take you to your seat, brush it off and usually give you a big smile plus a little conversation.
I kinda miss that!

[Gylmar]

Yes, you did tip the usher. He would take your ticket , take you to your seat, brush it off and usually give you a big smile plus a little conversation.
I kinda miss that!

I was a big help for later in the game when you wanted to move to a better seat! :shhh:

[SultanOfWhat]

Other pics from ballparkprints.com regarding the 1936-7 renovations:

June 1, 1936 replacing the old wooden center field bleachers with concrete and steel, as the new left field bleaches near completion.
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/SrkWQU-8ndI/AAAAAAAAKsM/qZ2VSU05VQk/s800/June%201%2C%201936%20replacing%20the%20old%20woode n%20center%20field%20bleachers%20with%20concrete%2 0and%20steel%2C%20as%20the%20new%20left%20field%20 bleaches%20near%20completion..jpg

June 15 1936 view from the newly completed left field bleachers looking at construction on the center field and wooden right field bleachers
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/SrkVmtenRtI/AAAAAAAAKrw/GkLCZDTa1us/s800/June%2015%201936%20view%20from%20the%20newly%20com pleted%20left%20field%20bleachers%20looking%20at%2 0construction%20on%20the%20center%20field%20and%20 wooden%20right%20field%20bleachers.jpg

July 15 1936 1st gm Wed DH vs Detroit, work continues on CF bleachers, begins on RF bleachers...
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/Sp_rYObqBkI/AAAAAAAAKso/tfgBzKmiQjc/s800/July%2015%201936%201st%20gm%20Wed%20DH%20vs%20Det% 2C%20work%20on%20CF%20bleachers%2C%20begins%20on%2 0RF%20bleachers...jpg

July 17 1936 construction on the right field bleachers with a view of the right field stands that end at the foul pole. Note the right field outer wall and ramps.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/SrkT4jXtXQI/AAAAAAAAKqc/iudHANz8iCA/s800/July%2017%201936%20construction%20on%20the%20right %20field%20bleachers%20with%20a%20view%20of%20the% 20right%20field%20stands%20that%20end%20at%20the%2 0foul%20pole.%20Note%20the%20right%20field%20outer %20wall%20and%20ramps..jpg

August 31 1936 with the new concrete and steel bleachers completed fans watch the Yankees vs. White Sox as work starts on the right field stands
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/SrkWyk24iwI/AAAAAAAAKss/NqutGP-Dk3A/s800/August%2031%201936%20with%20the%20new%20concrete%2 0and%20steel%20bleachers%20completed%20fans%20watc h%20the%20Yankees%20vs.%20White%20Sox%20as%20work% 20starts%20on%20the%20right%20field%20stands.jpg

September 17, 1936 view from the playing field of the right field stands as they remove the bench style seating.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/SrkUNgy0dPI/AAAAAAAAKq4/hx6qfbuCuhk/s800/September%2017%2C%201936%20view%20from%20the%20pla ying%20field%20of%20the%20right%20field%20stands%2 0as%20they%20remove%20the%20bench%20style%20seatin g..jpg

October 15 1936 the newly rebuilt bleacher’s entrance on River Avenue.
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/Sp_qP6sDX3I/AAAAAAAAJXw/mIOutk45o5E/s800/October%2015%201936%20the%20newly%20rebuilt%20blea cher%E2%80%99s%20entrance%20on%20River%20Avenue..j pg

March 1 1937 work resumes on the right field stands
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/SrkUvB5gNPI/AAAAAAAAKrU/in90WGOvKM0/s800/March%201%201937%20work%20resumes%20on%20the%20rig ht%20field%20stands.jpg

[SparkyL]

1960 seating chart--post #6:

http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=66618

Still the even/odd numbering. So what WAS Trost talking about??

[SparkyL]

Other pics from ballparkprints.com regarding the 1936-7 renovations:

September 17, 1936 view from the playing field of the right field stands as they remove the bench style seating.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/SrkUNgy0dPI/AAAAAAAAKq4/hx6qfbuCuhk/s800/September%2017%2C%201936%20view%20from%20the%20pla ying%20field%20of%20the%20right%20field%20stands%2 0as%20they%20remove%20the%20bench%20style%20seatin g..jpg

This clears things up nicely. First they removed the old wooden bleachers, then they built the new concrete bleachers and the extended lower deck in RF, and finally erected the steel for the upper decks in RF.

However, I think that the description for this picture is incorrect. It shows the newly constructed RF lower deck (you can see the termination at the to-be Yankee bullpen). Therefore the old bleacher benches have long since been removed (with the wooden bleacher superstructure) and they are now installing the new grandstand seats.

[SparkyL]

Other pics from ballparkprints.com regarding the 1936-7 renovations:
March 1 1937 work resumes on the right field stands
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/SrkUvB5gNPI/AAAAAAAAKrU/in90WGOvKM0/s800/March%201%201937%20work%20resumes%20on%20the%20rig ht%20field%20stands.jpg

Hmmm . . . in this later picture they do in fact have bleacher-styled seating in the new RF lower deck . . what's up with that?

[SultanOfWhat]

Yes, it's possible one or more of the captions may be off as far as the date is concerned.

More of the RF extensions/bleachers:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/SrkgXMJ6nAI/AAAAAAAAKtY/kdkRAdn1p7U/s800/int.JPG

1937:
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/SrkgW_gxd6I/AAAAAAAAKtU/CJlUU74mntY/s800/1937YankeeStadiumExtension-1.jpg

1937, zoomed in from pic above:
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/SrkgWSuHS7I/AAAAAAAAKtQ/W5d2zBIgzcE/s800/1937YankeeStadiumExtension2.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/SrkgV-cjocI/AAAAAAAAKtM/nwFaC5550cE/s800/Renovation%20photos%20from%201936-38.jpg

This pic seems to have been taken in 1937, when the steel RF extension was only partially built:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/SiMsOn380xI/AAAAAAAAGyw/QZBpR5jmBE8/s800/40372900.jpg

[monkeypants]

Still the even/odd numbering. So what WAS Trost talking about??

I am shocked...SHOCKED...that Lonn Trost would say something inaccurate about the Old Stadium, ro the new stadium.

[locke40]

I wonder if these construction workers ever thought in their wildest dreams that the perfect, seamless extension they so tirelessly worked on would be completely ruined less then 35 years later during the renovation. They probably thought their hard work on the Stadium would remain intact and serviceable forever, and it probably would have if not for the utter greed and ignorance of some idiot city officials less than 35 years later.

[baseballman1243]

You can still see this here today:
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d169/baseballman1243/August311936withthenewconcreteandst.jpg

[The Monument]

I think that Trost was referring to the 1923 seating chart. Of course he is mistaken about some things, and full of crap about others, so who knows?

[RichardLillard1]

This pic seems to have been taken in 1937, when the steel RF extension was only partially built:

That's the 1937 World Series.

Interestingly enough, the stands were built during the 1937 season and not in the off season as with the left field extension.

What I don't understand is why they put benches down on this new lower level until the upper framing was complete and then put seats in. I do have a speculation though.

My guess is that they recycled the wooden bleacher seats until a fairly large number (which had to be around 10,000+) of seats arrived to be installed in the entire structure. Just a theory though, so don't quote me on it.


Richard


EDIT: Something I find very interesting about that fifth picture is that you can see, fairly clearly, where the outfield wall would be in this new section, but they have an area blocked off in front of it. However, I've never seen anything about modified dimensions for the 1937 season. I suspect it would have been a very short foul line though.

[SultanOfWhat]

That's the 1937 World Series.

Interestingly enough, the stands were built during the 1937 season and not in the off season as with the left field extension.

What I don't understand is why they put benches down on this new lower level until the upper framing was complete and then put seats in. I do have a speculation though.

My guess is that they recycled the wooden bleacher seats until a fairly large number (which had to be around 10,000+) of seats arrived to be installed in the entire structure. Just a theory though, so don't quote me on it.


Richard


EDIT: Something I find very interesting about that fifth picture is that you can see, fairly clearly, where the outfield wall would be in this new section, but they have an area blocked off in front of it. However, I've never seen anything about modified dimensions for the 1937 season. I suspect it would have been a very short foul line though.

Two things:

---According to the pictures I posted a few pages back, the dates of the grandstand extensions are as follows:

-LF grandstand extension construction began March 15, 1928. Essentially complete by July, 1928. You can see the dates on some of the photos, in white. Here's a photo dated May 15, 1928, from near the mid-way point of construction:

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/Sp_qL4xaptI/AAAAAAAAJZc/oAZkb19o_s4/s800/May%2015%2C%201928%20the%20left%20field%20stands%2 0with%20the%20roof%20and%20copper%20frieze%20under %20construction-.jpg

-RF grandstand extension construction began March 31, 1937. Photo dated August 16, 1937 shows structure is essentially finished.

The RF grandstand date makes me question what I'm seeing in that 1937 photo with the bunting. It looks like the RF grandstand is incomplete. However, if that is the 1937 WS, the structure would be complete. Is it possible that there was bunting for opening day, or the 4th of July? Here is the pic in question, along with 2 pics from a similar vantage point, with the RF grandstand in place:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/SrnEzPyebjI/AAAAAAAAKvU/ogo2ITdiyJw/s800/Probably%201937-1.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/SrnEz24BIgI/AAAAAAAAKvY/guae4SfmF20/s800/2464382477_19da92018f_o-1.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/SrnE0LAAvNI/AAAAAAAAKvc/gBU3IvP7oVg/s800/October%204%2C%201961-1.jpg

What are the opinions? Does that first pic show an incomplete grandstand (just compare the LF grandstand in the 1937 photo to what you see of the RF grandstand in the same photo), and, if so, what is the explanation?

Edited to add:

There seem to be a lot of empty seats in the upper deck in that 1937 bunting photo (along both sides), so it's probably not the WS.

There were 2 WS games in YS in 1937, October 6-7 :
Gm 1 attendance 60,573
Gm 2 attendance 57,675

Doesn't look like anywhere near that in the photo. The Yanks did win both of those games 8-1, so some people may have cleared out, but that still wouldn't explain the RF grandstand.

I'd say it could be Opening Day, April 20, 1937, versus the Washington Senators. Here is the RF grandstand 10 days later, on April 30, 1937. It looks a lot like what we see in the 1937 bunting photo:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/Sp_qQYPL9zI/AAAAAAAAJX8/LnqWe0t7US4/s800/April%2030%2C%201937%20right%20field%20stands%20be ing%20extended%20beyond%20the%20foul%20pole.%20Not e%20the%20outline%20of%20iron%20supports%20on%20th e%20roof%20for%20the%2015-foot%20copper%20frieze..jpg

[Gehrig27]

I'd have to agree with opening day '37 as well. If you look at the picture in question very carefully (since there is a glare) you can barely make out the uncovered beams and structure that matches the April '37 photo.

[SultanOfWhat]

Confirming that the Yankees (in the Polo Grounds and Yankee Stadium) sported bunting on opening days in the past (aside from the first opening day in 1923):

Opening Day, Polo Grounds 1921: "13 Apr 1921, Manhattan, New York, New York, USA --- New York: Photo shows Mayor Hylan, his daughter, Babe Ruth, President of the Yankees, and Ruppert, with Jackie Coogan, the kid movie star."
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/SrpuRtdZLbI/AAAAAAAAKww/kUZh8BfmPxk/s800/April%2013%2C%201921%20jackie%20coogan.jpg

"12 Apr 1927, Bronx, New York, New York, USA --- Hail the Conquering Yankees. Bronx, New York: Miller Huggins' boys opened season at New York by defeating athletics, 8 to 3. Seventy-thousand joyous fans saw the grand opener. There wasn't an empty seat. The one and only "Bambino" and radio announcer, Graham McNamee, before the big game. Babe gladdened the hearts of stay-at-homes by giving them up-to-the-minute dope."
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/SrpuSF5PbdI/AAAAAAAAKw0/liggvG40_H4/s800/April%2012%2C%201927%20graham%20mcnamee.jpg

"ca. 1930s, Bronx, New York, New York, USA --- New York: Yankee Stadium. Seasons Opener. (L to R) Babe Ruth, Sammy Byrd, and Lou Gehrig, 3 slugging Yankees"
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/SrqZZ4Trj8I/AAAAAAAAKzs/3_uD5CGXYCA/s800/Sammy%20Byrd.jpg

[Opening Day Closer to 1937 date:] "20 Apr 1939, New York, New York, USA --- Babe Ruth sits with his second wife, Claire Hodgson, during a Yankee game against the Boston Red Sox."
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/SrpuSWWZk2I/AAAAAAAAKw4/vL5rpzCQB00/s800/April%2020%2C%201939.jpg

Other teams did, too: Fenway Park Opening Day April 18, 1929:
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/SrpuSlcbtjI/AAAAAAAAKw8/prRHs65S4fw/s800/1929%20bos%20opening%20day.jpg

[RichardLillard1]

Interesting stuff, I could have swore that the left field extension was done during the off-season. I'll have to correct that for the projects I've been working on lately.

As per the right field extension, we've discussed that picture before. The original poster (who slips my mind currently) stated it was from the '37 World Series, which sparked interested for a time to see more pictures of the extension. None were found and that was probably a few months ago.

With all of this, it now makes better sense for dates of a few other photographs as well.

Back in the early days of this thread, a picture was posted that was taken from the air, during the right field extension. Bunting was in place and a brief discussion was had about when it could be. We knew that the main dates for bunting were opening day, July 4 and the off-season.

Given what we know now, it seems to be that these are all from opening day of 1937.

Definitely some great stuff, and some great additions to this thread. Below is the aforementioned aerial photograph, which is likely from opening day as well.


Richard