Yankee Stadium Pre-Renovation

[Lpeters199]

A search for Yankee Stadium at the New York Daily News photo archives will turn up some small but interesting photos. The pre-renovation pictures begin at page 224. There are some Polo Grounds pics, but not many.

http://www.dailynewspix.com/

[brooklyndodger14]

See, I have the opposite view.

Not a fan of the current letters, and I won't miss them. I love, however, echoing the classy and traditional letters from the gates.

I can understand your opposition regarding the present fontstyle as well as the desecration of the Gate 4 with the Longines clock and perhaps the 2-line message board added in 1966 as well.

I guess I always regarded them as "givens" in the overall scheme because that was the way I saw the Stadium for the very first time in my life as a 6 year old from a Circle Line boat sailing up the Harlem River in 1962. (For those from out of town, Circle Line is a 3-hour sightseeing cruise around Manhattan island).

My objection regarding the concept illustration was the placement of any kind of lettering ON TOP OF the roof. Placing the Roman-style font on the upper deck exterior wall to replace of the current quasi-Helvetica style is not something I would be adverse to.

On a side note, I am disappointed that they will not include the eagle medallions on the new RF gate. You would think that since there appears to be only 2 main entraces (Home plate & Right Field) that they would share an equal design.

I do like the numerous frieze flagpoles that will be visible from the outside. Among all the new ballparks, I cannot recall any that feature flags on their roofs in such numbers.

Dennis
BrooklynDodger14

[Gehrig27]

Some original drawings from Osborn
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2381/2462196521_855d5e7808_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3275/2463029608_8469ee122e_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3182/2462195847_d0104e1dd1_o.jpg

:bowdown: Where did you find these!?

[MarcianoNY]

It is my personal hope that they retain the letters and hang them outside the back of the upper deck to echo the way they are now.

I would'nt bet the farm that they would be so accomodating, however.

I'm not a fan of their concept drawing of the main gate stlyle font spelling out "Yankee Stadium" to be placed on top of the roof, but we'll see....

Dennis
BrooklynDodger14
I'm glad somebody's with me on this. Generally I'm not one to get nostalgic but those letters have been around for 3 seperate Yankee dynasties and are definitely a throwback to the 50s, as opposed to the urban renewal style of the 60s as some have said. If you look at Ebbets Field, I believe the font is the same, or very similar - there's just something about them that calls to mind images of the postwar golden age of baseball. I at least hope the new letters are lighted and blue. It looks in certain renderings like the old ones will be placed above the left-centerfield billboards... that would be cool.

[David Atkatz]

:bowdown: Where did you find these!?

My guess would be LeLands Auctions website.

Because I won this drawing in a Lelands auction last year.

[stlfan]

Another question about the "YANKEE STADIUM" lettering. Did they put these up when they desicrated gate 4 by covering the original "YANKEE STADIUM" lettering with the Longiness clock?

[dabigyankeeman]

Wow, perfect timing, thanks so much for the great pictures of the grand old scoreboard behind the right-center field bleachers!!!!

Just a few days ago, i received a large (approx 16" x 12") model of the scoreboard, and its awesome, and now to see it in these pictures makes it all the greater.

I grew up in New York with that scoreboard, they should have duplicated it in the new Yankee Stadium, that would have been great. Search on ebay number 120248605580 and you will see it. The dimensions given dont include the base which makes it a lot bigger. That scoreboard was part of the essense of the old stadium.

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

My guess would be LeLands Auctions website.

Because I won this drawing in a Lelands auction last year.

You must be right, David. It's a small world. It's set on "private" at Flickr, which means only Baseball-Fever users can see it, but I'll be glad to take it down if you wish, since you own it.

Here are some large wallpapers available for free download from the Daily News site. (56K warning)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3283/2464383207_b61e4a4e2f_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2170/2464382477_19da92018f_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2308/2465212952_6a0a59b94f_o.jpg

[David Atkatz]

You must be right, David. It's a small world. It's set on "private" at Flickr, which means only Baseball-Fever users can see it, but I'll be glad to take it down if you wish, since you own it.

No problem, Mario. I'm happy to share.

[Chevy114]

Did steinbrenter consider pre renovated yankee stadium a dump because it wasn't kept up? and if so did they no keep it up on purpose so they could renovate it?

Were wrigley and fenway ever as bad looking as yankee stadium right before they renovated ys?

[Urbanshocker13]

Did steinbrenter consider pre renovated yankee stadium a dump because it wasn't kept up? and if so did they no keep it up on purpose so they could renovate it?

Were wrigley and fenway ever as bad looking as yankee stadium right before they renovated ys?

George really didn't have that much to do with the renovations to the Stadium that was the City of New York. CBS is really to blame for the state of the stadium before they changed it. Fenway & Wrigley have been in bad shape before, and where considered dumps a few times and not really that long ago like in the 80's.

[Yoda]

There's talk in chicago about major renovations at wrigley.

But with the all the business of selling the team, etc, those are all up in the air.

The cubs might have to play home games at the Cell for a part or even a whole season if they rennovate.

Wrigley isn't in that good of shape, there's netting all over the stadium to protect fans from falling debris.

I'll take pictures next time I go. (may 15)

[six4three]

Does anyone know why the (the New York Highlanders before they where the Yankees) moved out of Hilltop Park into the Polo Grounds?
It was their own park anyway so why move to someone else's?Because of fire like most of those 19th century wooded parks.
Most early ballparks were not built to last. As noted, fires were common - the Giants had to rent Hilltop Park in 1911 when the Polo Grounds nearly burned down, and when the PG was rebuilt in concrete and steel, the Highlanders decided to move into it full-time.

The Polo Grounds had a much greater capacity anyway, fitting for a growing league finding its footing.

[alpineinc]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3283/2464383207_b61e4a4e2f_o.jpg



Great shot! Looks like '50's - anyone know the exact year (or even date)?

[Gehrig27]

My guess would be the 53' 55' or 56' World Series, just judging by the look of the stadium and the number of pennants on the frieze.

EDIT: I just found the picture while looking through the Daily News archive; it says an aerial view of yankee stadium during the world series - 9/30/53

[MarcianoNY]

http://www.digitalballparks.com

[Brackish__4]

http://www.digitalballparks.com

I absolutely love that second photo. In a perfect world, the New York Football Giants would move back into Yankee Stadium, so they didn't have to tear it down and we get to see football back in the grand cathedral.

[YankeeFanBx]

That's a great idea, they should have Giants football back at Yankee Stadium, at least one more time.:crossfingers:

[MarcianoNY]

That's a great idea, they should have Giants football back at Yankee Stadium, at least one more time.:crossfingers:

Now that would be a sendoff I would agree with, not a hockey game. What if it was Packers-Giants or Cowboys-Giants in the NFC Championship, back at Yankee Stadium? That would be CLASSIC.

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

Here are some blueprints of Yankee Stadium. The first is of the front exterior and the frieze, and the second is of some main entrance ornamentals (click to enlarge)

ENLARGE (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3256/2472820770_36b0e52b8a_o.jpg)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3256/2472820770_ce70993c85_b.jpg

ENLARGE (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2404/2472821134_074cc84884_o.jpg)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2404/2472821134_a089e282fc_b.jpg

Now here is one of the actual terra cotta panels that were removed in the 1970's renovations (which is shown on the blueprint above)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3292/2472821192_9e3e755e8c_o.jpg

I believe this is from an old Columbia Univ football game

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2308/2471996901_d50db5b281_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3204/2472820322_3fa9f1d62f_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2093/2471996935_dd90725414_o.jpg


Finally, I assume this is a snapshot of the 1970 Old Timers Game. That is Casey Stengel being introduced.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2220/2471995969_f15547249e_o.jpg

[Kaplanski]

[QUOTE=Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock;1183196]Here are some blueprints of Yankee Stadium. The first is of the front exterior and the frieze, and the second is of some main entrance ornamentals...

Mario Mendoza:

Thanks for posting the plans in high resolution. This is just what I was looking for.

Rick

[six4three]

Interesting that the blueprints show the discs on that terra cotta panel as baseballs with stitches - were the details originally painted, or were the baseballs other pieces that attached onto that tile?

[brooklyndodger14]

Here is an Instamatic picture I got from eBay of the Orioles vs. the Yanks.

It's the top of the 7th inning, and Oriole catcher Johhny Oates,
facing Yankee reliever Ron Klimkowski, is about to sacrfice fly to
Bobby Murcer (pictured) in CF to drive in Boog Powell who tripled
to lead off the inning for the final run in a 7-3 Oriole victory.
(Game details from Retrosheet).

You can see the LF bleachers are packed with the Con Edison
kids (perhaps future Yankee/Met Willie Randolph is in the crowd).

Dennis
BrooklynDodger14

[bleacherbum73]

Here is an Instamatic picture I got from eBay of the Orioles vs. the Yanks.

It's the top of the 7th inning, and Oriole catcher Johhny Oates,
facing Yankee reliever Ron Klimkowski, is about to sacrfice fly to
Bobby Murcer (pictured) in CF to drive in Boog Powell who tripled
to lead off the inning for the final run in a 7-3 Oriole victory.
(Game details from Retrosheet).

You can see the LF bleachers are packed with the Con Edison
kids (perhaps future Yankee/Met Willie Randolph is in the crowd).

Dennis
BrooklynDodger14

Great photo !! Alos interesting is that everybody today complains about all the ads at ballparks, but just look how many are visable on the back of the bleachers at the stadium back then.

[Brackish__4]

Coming from someone who never got the chance to experience the pre-renovated stadium, was the 4 train visible from inside the park? I know we have the "peak" through now, but that is hardly worth mentioning if you could see the whole path of the train from inside the stadium in the past.

[Gary Dunaier]

everybody today complains about all the ads at ballparks, but just look how many are visable on the back of the bleachers at the stadium back then.

Yankee Stadium has always had a lot of ads on the bleacher walls, even going as far back as the 1920s. Somewhere here at the Baseball Fever, possibly even within this very thread, there's a photo from 1929 showing the outfield and you can see all the ads from back then.

[six4three]

Ads have been on ballpark walls as long as there have been ballparks.

[CB22]

Great shots. Here is a little "Before and After" I put together from shots posted on this thread. Both are taken from pretty much the same area.

[Yankees73]

http://www.digitalballparks.com Thats my picture!!! My dad took it back in 1970 during a Cub Scout trip that we went on. I'm sure everyone knows thats the old visitors bullpen since were all just basically YS FREAKS!!!

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

Here is an Instamatic picture I got from eBay of the Orioles vs. the Yanks.

http://www.baseball-fever.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=41661&stc=1&d=1210177126



Great pic. The more I see pictures of the stadium in this era, the angrier I get at the so-called renovations. The architects should have been charged with high crimes (or at least destruction of a landmark). Then again, this was still the cookie cutter era.

Man, I'd love to jump into that photo.

[MarcianoNY]

Great pic. The more I see pictures of the stadium in this era, the angrier I get at the so-called renovations. The architects should have been charged with high crimes (or at least destruction of a landmark). Then again, this was still the cookie cutter era.

Man, I'd love to jump into that photo.

That's one way to look at it. For me, it makes me angry and sad to see what the old stadium had come to before the renovation. It looked like hell. Like seeing a 57 Bel Air rusting in a field. Sad. CBS and the owners before them should have been charged with willful neglect of a landmark. How the heck it got to that point in the course of about 30 years is beyond me. The city and Steinbrenner did what they had to do to save the stadium, otherwise we would've had a REAL, bonafide cookie cutter, with a perfectly circular upper deck three miles away from the field... perfect for baseball! Or maybe a nice dome in the Meadowlands. New Jersey Yankees.... has a nice ring to it doesn't it! (no offense Jerseyans)

[cgcoyne2]

Great pic. The more I see pictures of the stadium in this era, the angrier I get at the so-called renovations. The architects should have been charged with high crimes (or at least destruction of a landmark). Then again, this was still the cookie cutter era.

Man, I'd love to jump into that photo.


I agree!!!!

My question is: What the hell is that????

[JMC Bomber]

I agree!!!!

My question is: What the hell is that????

It's either a giant pussywillow or speakers.

[cgcoyne2]

It's either a giant pussywillow or speakers.

On the field!!!

Were they adding style points to play center at old Yankee Stadium???

[YankeesFan]

That speaker system was added for the 1967 season. It was part of the 1966-67 facelift.

[dannyp]

The black circular object protruding from the wall between th 457ft. sign and the monuments -was that also speakers?

[donut726]

http://baseball-fever.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=41679&stc=1&d=1210206416
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1301/583750902_5aeafc1288.jpg?v=0

[Brackish__4]

The black circular object protruding from the wall between th 457ft. sign and the monuments -was that also speakers?

No, it was a storage compartment I believe, with rakes and field accessories.. I also read on this thread many pages back that the grounds crew actually grew tomato plants out there! :rofl:

[Brackish__4]

http://baseball-fever.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=41679&stc=1&d=1210206416
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1301/583750902_5aeafc1288.jpg?v=0

You can really see how much deeper the current field level is, which was lowered by 6 to 7 feet during the renovations. I bet the view from the middle deck was much better with the field higher (ie pre-renovation).

[MarcianoNY]

You can really see how much deeper the current field level is, which was lowered by 6 to 7 feet during the renovations. I bet the view from the middle deck was much better with the field higher (ie pre-renovation).

Maybe, but it seems like any negative effect would be marginal when compared to the huge gains in view with the posts removed.

[brooklyndodger14]

No, it was a storage compartment I believe, with rakes and field accessories.. I also read on this thread many pages back that the grounds crew actually grew tomato plants out there! :rofl:

Actually they ARE a set of speakers installed around 1959 with the construction of the 1959 changeable message board. Previously, the PA speakers were placed atop the scoreboard to the left and right of the analog Longines clock.

As far as tomato plants actually growing there, I cannot conclusively say. The Mets, however, were known to grow tomatos by the plexiglass wall of their bullpen at Shea.

Dennis
BrooklynDodgers14

[dannyp]

Does anybody know why the yankees changed dugouts from the third base side to the first base side in the 40's. I've never have received clear clarification for this change.

[Aviator_Frank]

Does anybody know why the yankees changed dugouts from the third base side to the first base side in the 40's. I've never have received clear clarification for this change.
With the glaring (no pun intended) exception of the Tigers, most teams seem to choose whichever dugout is in the shade in the late afternoon.

Yankee, Dodger, Wrigley, Safeco for example.

Whether that is the reason, I have no idea, but I see Leyland staring into that western sun at 5pm and wonder why they didn't choose the 1st base side. What also makes it worse is that stadium faces due south and it's at higher latitude, hence lower sun angles in spring and fall.

[Yankees73]

I absolutely love that second photo. In a perfect world, the New York Football Giants would move back into Yankee Stadium, so they didn't have to tear it down and we get to see football back in the grand cathedral.
Back in the 70s they would allow people to watch them practice during the week! Players were very accessible then.

[MarcianoNY]

As far as tomato plants actually growing there, I cannot conclusively say. The Mets, however, were known to grow tomatos by the plexiglass wall of their bullpen at Shea.

Dennis
BrooklynDodgers14

Didn't this guy mention something about the tomatoes in "Ball Four"? I might have to re-read my copy. And seriously, is there a picture of him where his hat actually stays on??

[dannyp]

Does anybody know if the front of the bleachers (right center) behind the blue wall at 385ft is the same exact wall of the old stadium (407ft.)

[Gehrig27]

Does anybody know if the front of the bleachers (right center) behind the blue wall at 385ft is the same exact wall of the old stadium (407ft.)

Its close but I don't think the wall itself is the same. The bleachers are original; they just cut them off in front of the tunnels and removed two sections in left field.

[bearman14]

yankee stadium:)

[nymdan]

Wow great shot

[bearman14]

One more photo of Yankee Stadium

[Yankees73]

Just a dumb question... In the old stadium I almost always sat in the upper deck and sat in the bleachers just once. I do remember yelling at the great Bobby Murcer and he actually waved to me that day. (Made my day) I also remember he was goofing around at one of the ground crew members and throwing a baseball at him...Remember they used to wear those football referee shirts? Man it was hot out there with no cover and the game practically in another time zone. I must have had about 10 sun dews.. Anyway, I vaguely remember that the ground under the bleachers was dirt and not poured concrete.. Am I correct or I am I just beginning to lose my mind in my forties?

[jimmyjimjimz]

Here is an Instamatic picture I got from eBay of the Orioles vs. the Yanks.

It's the top of the 7th inning, and Oriole catcher Johhny Oates,
facing Yankee reliever Ron Klimkowski, is about to sacrfice fly to
Bobby Murcer (pictured) in CF to drive in Boog Powell who tripled
to lead off the inning for the final run in a 7-3 Oriole victory.
(Game details from Retrosheet).

You can see the LF bleachers are packed with the Con Edison
kids (perhaps future Yankee/Met Willie Randolph is in the crowd).

Dennis
BrooklynDodger14


why is there a huge black wall in front of the center field bleachers in that pic?

[brooklyndodger14]

why is there a huge black wall in front of the center field bleachers in that pic?


That was the old Stadium's version of the "batter's eye" created to give maximum visiblity to incoming pitches.

Dennis
BrooklynDodger14

[Kentucky Bomber]

I picked up the Daily News' 6 part magazine of Stadium history on eBay and it arrived today. Some neat pictorial stuff from the paper's archives. The last number was printed late enough to include the last Papal visit.

[Gary Dunaier]

Here's a photo of the very last pitch ever thrown in the original (1923-1973) Yankee Stadium.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2182/2494711693_f1f8b91ecc_b.jpg
Originally published in the April 26, 1976 issue of Sports Illustrated. Photo credit: Manny Millan. Original caption: "When Detroit's John Hiller got Mike Hegan out to conclude Yankee Stadium's 1973 season, he also ended an era. Right after that game, workmen began renovating America's most famous sports edifice."

[jimmyjimjimz]

That was the old Stadium's version of the "batter's eye" created to give maximum visiblity to incoming pitches.

Dennis
BrooklynDodger14

so nobody sat in those seats? I'd hate to sit in a seat at a ballgame where there's a huge black wall blocking my view of the field. And people still complain about the batter's eye resturant partially blocking some people's view, when at the old stadium there was a huge black wall blocking everyone in center field's view.

[The Monument]

Here's a photo of the very last pitch ever thrown in the original (1923-1973) Yankee Stadium.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2182/2494711693_f1f8b91ecc_b.jpg
Originally published in the April 26, 1976 issue of Sports Illustrated. Photo credit: Manny Millan. Original caption: "When Detroit's John Hiller got Mike Hegan out to conclude Yankee Stadium's 1973 season, he also ended an era. Right after that game, workmen began renovating America's most famous sports edifice."

I'm in that SI photo somewhere, but I'd need a magnifying glass. Sat about 3-4 rows behind 344' with my parents. We moved back a few rows in the 9th because it was getting crazy, and on the way out I picked up a straight-backed seat slat in the lower reserved seats.

[jimmyjimjimz]

Here's a photo of the very last pitch ever thrown in the original (1923-1973) Yankee Stadium.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2182/2494711693_f1f8b91ecc_b.jpg
Originally published in the April 26, 1976 issue of Sports Illustrated. Photo credit: Manny Millan. Original caption: "When Detroit's John Hiller got Mike Hegan out to conclude Yankee Stadium's 1973 season, he also ended an era. Right after that game, workmen began renovating America's most famous sports edifice."

why is there a dugout under the 3rd deck in that picture? All the way at the end of the 3rd deck, like right where the gap starts, there's a dugout under the deck.

[Rob R]

...........................

[LetsGoMets687]

why is there a dugout under the 3rd deck in that picture? All the way at the end of the 3rd deck, like right where the gap starts, there's a dugout under the deck.

it's a press box for football.

[jimmyjimjimz]

it's a press box for football.

oh, ok. So they used a different press box for the giants and the yankees, I guess?

[LetsGoMets687]

oh, ok. So they used a different press box for the giants and the yankees, I guess?

If they used the Yankees pressbox when they did football, they'd be watching the game from the corner of the end zone--not exactly the best view when you're doing play by play.

My question is: How the hell did they get inside that thing?!

[stlfan]

If they used the Yankees pressbox when they did football, they'd be watching the game from the corner of the end zone--not exactly the best view when you're doing play by play.

My question is: How the hell did they get inside that thing?!

I was thinking the same thing.

[Urbanshocker13]

Here is a video from 1970 where you can get a good look of the stadium.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFvp7kMraAw

[marlins739]

My mom was at that last game too. She has a wooden slat from a seat there too - you can see the different paint colors on it

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

Here is a video from 1970 where you can get a good look of the stadium.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFvp7kMraAw

Cool video, thanks.

How long before the grinches at MLB have it taken down?

[Urbanshocker13]

Cool video, thanks.

How long before the grinches at MLB have it taken down?

It''s actually been up for a long time found it when I was looking eephus pitch

[brooklyndodger14]

If they used the Yankees pressbox when they did football, they'd be watching the game from the corner of the end zone--not exactly the best view when you're doing play by play.

My question is: How the hell did they get inside that thing?!

It was entered via the Upper Deck front row and they would actually climb down a ladder/stairsep through a square door you might barely make out on the roof.

There was a similar overhanging box on the Upper Deck straightaways along third base as well.


Dennis
BrooklynDodger14

[jimmyjimjimz]

Here is a video from 1970 where you can get a good look of the stadium.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFvp7kMraAw

that was actually a legal pitch?

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

It''s actually been up for a long time found it when I was looking eephus pitch

I think the unconventional video title name has been overlooked by the MLB Advanced Media goons thus far. I once had a 30 second clip of Chambliss' 1976 ALCS winning homer, and it stayed up 9 months (only because I titled it "76 LCS"). Eventually they found it and removed it. Hopefully this will elude their eye$:pray:

[Urbanshocker13]

that was actually a legal pitch?

Yup, the last well know pitcher who used it allot was El Duque, I remember when he was still on the Yanks he pitched one to ARod and he crushed it into almost the leftfield bleachers.

[lollar]

I actually talked to Mike Hegan about that AB once lol

[Urbanshocker13]

That video makes me think, there is still old tv broadcast of Old Yankee games around why dosen't YES show them on Yankee Classics? I would love to see games in the old stadium. I know we've talked about this before but makes me mad that they don't, I mean it's the last year of Yankee stadium it would be great to see games played in the Pre-70's stadium! I don't see why not the only people who watch YES when a game isn't on is big Yankee fans. Would be better then Center Stage with that idiot Key!

[spiderico]

Some color home movies of old YS.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT8vO2JfjZQ&feature=related

[Urbanshocker13]

Some color home movies of old YS.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT8vO2JfjZQ&feature=related

That was cool, the John Tesh music sucked though. It was crazy to see Scooter being taking off the field on the strecher.

[Manhattan]

That was cool, the John Tesh music sucked though. It was crazy to see Scooter being taking off the field on the strecher.
I have seen lots of pictures of Yankee Stadium.

[YankeeStadium1923]

That video makes me think, there is still old tv broadcast of Old Yankee games around why dosen't YES show them on Yankee Classics? I would love to see games in the old stadium. I know we've talked about this before but makes me mad that they don't, I mean it's the last year of Yankee stadium it would be great to see games played in the Pre-70's stadium! I don't see why not the only people who watch YES when a game isn't on is big Yankee fans. Would be better then Center Stage with that idiot Key!
For years I have been searching for old television footage of the pre-renovated Yankee Stadium. When I heard the Yankees were starting YES I thought for sure the Yankees would should some Classics....For example when Arod hit three homeruns in a game the YES network showed the entire game.....Why can't the Yankees show the entire game in COLOR when Mantle hit his 500th homerun? or Mickey Mantle day in 1969? Instead we see 30 second clips of the event....And those clips are Rare on YES these days.

My guess it has something to do with Steinbrenners ego....I suppose in his mind there were no Yankee Classics until the Steinbrenner Era...Think about it....The earliest Yankee classic YES shows is the 1976 Chambliss homerun.....1977-1978 World Series.... Bucky dent at Fenway....1979 Thurman ceremony....etc.

[TnNYYfan]

Found this on the internet, can't remember where. It is from 1951 I believe. YS on the left PG on the right.

[Gehrig27]

For years I have been searching for old television footage of the pre-renovated Yankee Stadium. When I heard the Yankees were starting YES I thought for sure the Yankees would should some Classics....For example when Arod hit three homeruns in a game the YES network showed the entire game.....Why can't the Yankees show the entire game in COLOR when Mantle hit his 500th homerun? or Mickey Mantle day in 1969? Instead we see 30 second clips of the event....And those clips are Rare on YES these days.

My guess it has something to do with Steinbrenners ego....I suppose in his mind there were no Yankee Classics until the Steinbrenner Era...Think about it....The earliest Yankee classic YES shows is the 1976 Chambliss homerun.....1977-1978 World Series.... Bucky dent at Fenway....1979 Thurman ceremony....etc.

As much as I want to see more old Yankees Classics, The games don't exist in their entirety; I believe the oldest regular season baseball game broadcast that's still around is a 1969 cubs game. However, they could try to show game 6 or 7 of the 1952 world series because those are still intact. They also only recently found Don Larsen's perfect game but I'm not sure what they're planning on doing with it. Long story short, even though there aren't really any pre steinbrehner games to pick from, I wish they could maybe make some new YES show where they play the partial game clips etc. that they do have from the old stadium era.

[Swoboda4]

Just a dumb question... In the old stadium I almost always sat in the upper deck and sat in the bleachers just once. I do remember yelling at the great Bobby Murcer and he actually waved to me that day. (Made my day) I also remember he was goofing around at one of the ground crew members and throwing a baseball at him...Remember they used to wear those football referee shirts? Man it was hot out there with no cover and the game practically in another time zone. I must have had about 10 sun dews.. Anyway, I vaguely remember that the ground under the bleachers was dirt and not poured concrete.. Am I correct or I am I just beginning to lose my mind in my forties?

I remember it being dirt. You are the first poster I've seen reference that! I went to a game in old YS with the Cub Scouts in either 1971, 72, or 73. Can't remember, exactly. We had bleacher seats, and entered on the left field side. I distinctly remember the ground being dirt, because there was a guy grilling hot dogs under there! He had dug out a little fire pit, laid down some charcoal, and had a bunch of hot dogs going. I will never forget that.

All we really saw was the left fielder. The game was being played in Manhattan somewhere, apparently.

[six4three]

Found this on the internet, can't remember where. It is from 1951 I believe. YS on the left PG on the right.

That's an amazing picture. Unusual angle, looking southeast.

Shame it isn't a slightly better quality.

[MarcianoNY]

All we really saw was the left fielder. The game was being played in Manhattan somewhere, apparently.

That's funny! Good story. Times have changed apparently haven't they? I can't even imagine a time when Yankee Stadium would've been informal enough to let someone have a firepit and roast hot dogs in the bleacher "ramp". Crazy.

[Gary Dunaier]

They also only recently found Don Larsen's perfect game but I'm not sure what they're planning on doing with it.

The film is owned by a man called Doak Ewing. There was a thread right here on the Baseball Fever discussing a rare showing of the film, and you can see that thread by clicking here (http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?referrerid=8503&t=59343).

[Gehrig27]

And in case anyone hasn't seen it yet; there's a small sample from the game that was put up on USA Today's website a while ago. It's great seeing the old stadium in some of the shots.

http://usatoday.feedroom.com/index.jsp?fr_story=5db662e3c6dd9abf6a7d7bed051beba 64fb0e7ef

[jimmyjimjimz]

Some color home movies of old YS.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT8vO2JfjZQ&feature=related

That was cool, the John Tesh music sucked though. It was crazy to see Scooter being taking off the field on the strecher.

Doesn't John Tesh own the Giants? or he's part owner of the Giants? Why would he make music if he owns a football team? Does he need money that bad?

and was there a concert or something after the game? or was it footage of 2different games? Cause there were like billions of people walking all over the field.

[YankeeFanBx]

I was at the stadium twice in the '60's to see baseball games and what I remember most is walking on the field after the games, it's something I'll never forget.

[jimmyjimjimz]

I was at the stadium twice in the '60's to see baseball games and what I remember most is walking on the field after the games, it's something I'll never forget.

they let people walk on the field back then?

that's not fair. Why don't they do that anymore?

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

These are some videos from the Getty collection. Most are very short, but they help to bring to life the old stadium which most of us only see in b/w photos.

http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Detail.aspx?axd=DetailPaging.Search|1&axs=0|218-8%2c796-91%2c2036-9%2c9036-26%2c796-90%2c814-23%2c1057-23%2c796-87%2c2036-128%2c796-89%2c2036-13%2c796-88%2c2036-139%2c2036-125%2c2020-180%2c2036-3%2c2036-2%2c2036-10%2c2036-142%2c2036-122%2c2020-177%2c2020-171%2c2036-129%2c2036-131%2c2036-130%2c2036-136%2c2036-137%2c2036-121%2c2020-172%2c2036-141|0&id=2036-2

http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Detail.aspx?axd=DetailPaging.Search|1&axs=0|218-8%2c796-91%2c2036-9%2c9036-26%2c796-90%2c814-23%2c1057-23%2c796-87%2c2036-128%2c796-89%2c2036-13%2c796-88%2c2036-139%2c2036-125%2c2020-180%2c2036-3%2c2036-2%2c2036-10%2c2036-142%2c2036-122%2c2020-177%2c2020-171%2c2036-129%2c2036-131%2c2036-130%2c2036-136%2c2036-137%2c2036-121%2c2020-172%2c2036-141|0&id=2036-121

http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Detail.aspx?axd=DetailPaging.Search|1&axs=0|2036-145%2c2036-138%2c2036-17%2c2036-183%2c2036-184%2c2036-127%2c2036-135%2c2036-14%2c2036-140%2c2036-123%2c2036-124%2c2036-126%2c2036-133%2c2036-134%2c2036-160%2c2036-161%2c2036-162%2c2036-163%2c2036-164%2c2036-167%2c2036-168%2c2036-169%2c2036-170%2c2036-171%2c2036-173%2c2036-176%2c2036-179%2c2036-181%2c2036-182%2c2036-174|0&id=2036-184

http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Detail.aspx?axd=DetailPaging.Search|1&axs=0|2036-145%2c2036-138%2c2036-17%2c2036-183%2c2036-184%2c2036-127%2c2036-135%2c2036-14%2c2036-140%2c2036-123%2c2036-124%2c2036-126%2c2036-133%2c2036-134%2c2036-160%2c2036-161%2c2036-162%2c2036-163%2c2036-164%2c2036-167%2c2036-168%2c2036-169%2c2036-170%2c2036-171%2c2036-173%2c2036-176%2c2036-179%2c2036-181%2c2036-182%2c2036-174|0&id=2036-181

http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Detail.aspx?axd=DetailPaging.Search|1&axs=0|2036-145%2c2036-138%2c2036-17%2c2036-183%2c2036-184%2c2036-127%2c2036-135%2c2036-14%2c2036-140%2c2036-123%2c2036-124%2c2036-126%2c2036-133%2c2036-134%2c2036-160%2c2036-161%2c2036-162%2c2036-163%2c2036-164%2c2036-167%2c2036-168%2c2036-169%2c2036-170%2c2036-171%2c2036-173%2c2036-176%2c2036-179%2c2036-181%2c2036-182%2c2036-174|0&id=2036-140

http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Detail.aspx?axd=DetailPaging.Search|1&axs=0|218-8%2c796-91%2c2036-9%2c9036-26%2c796-90%2c814-23%2c1057-23%2c796-87%2c2036-128%2c796-89%2c2036-13%2c796-88%2c2036-139%2c2036-125%2c2020-180%2c2036-3%2c2036-2%2c2036-10%2c2036-142%2c2036-122%2c2020-177%2c2020-171%2c2036-129%2c2036-131%2c2036-130%2c2036-136%2c2036-137%2c2036-121%2c2020-172%2c2036-141|0&id=2036-3

http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Detail.aspx?axd=DetailPaging.Search|1&axs=0|218-8%2c796-91%2c2036-9%2c9036-26%2c796-90%2c814-23%2c1057-23%2c796-87%2c2036-128%2c796-89%2c2036-13%2c796-88%2c2036-139%2c2036-125%2c2020-180%2c2036-3%2c2036-2%2c2036-10%2c2036-142%2c2036-122%2c2020-177%2c2020-171%2c2036-129%2c2036-131%2c2036-130%2c2036-136%2c2036-137%2c2036-121%2c2020-172%2c2036-141|0&id=2036-125

http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Detail.aspx?axd=DetailPaging.Search|1&axs=0|218-8%2c796-91%2c2036-9%2c9036-26%2c796-90%2c814-23%2c1057-23%2c796-87%2c2036-128%2c796-89%2c2036-13%2c796-88%2c2036-139%2c2036-125%2c2020-180%2c2036-3%2c2036-2%2c2036-10%2c2036-142%2c2036-122%2c2020-177%2c2020-171%2c2036-129%2c2036-131%2c2036-130%2c2036-136%2c2036-137%2c2036-121%2c2020-172%2c2036-141|0&id=2036-10

http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Detail.aspx?axd=DetailPaging.Search|1&axs=0|2036-180%2c2036-15%2c2036-16%2c2036-143%2c2020-178%2c2036-144%2c2036-12%2c2036-165%2c2036-166%2c2036-175%2c2036-177%2c2036-178%2c2020-173%2c2020-182%2c2036-159%2c2020-174%2c2020-181%2c2036-8%2c2036-6%2c2020-179%2c2020-183%2c2036-172%2c2036-132%2c2036-4%2c2036-5%2c2036-11%2c2036-7%2c2020-176%2c2020-175|0&id=2036-12

http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Detail.aspx?axd=DetailPaging.Search|1&axs=0|2036-180%2c2036-15%2c2036-16%2c2036-143%2c2020-178%2c2036-144%2c2036-12%2c2036-165%2c2036-166%2c2036-175%2c2036-177%2c2036-178%2c2020-173%2c2020-182%2c2036-159%2c2020-174%2c2020-181%2c2036-8%2c2036-6%2c2020-179%2c2020-183%2c2036-172%2c2036-132%2c2036-4%2c2036-5%2c2036-11%2c2036-7%2c2020-176%2c2020-175|0&id=2036-159

http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Detail.aspx?axd=DetailPaging.Search|1&axs=0|2036-180%2c2036-15%2c2036-16%2c2036-143%2c2020-178%2c2036-144%2c2036-12%2c2036-165%2c2036-166%2c2036-175%2c2036-177%2c2036-178%2c2020-173%2c2020-182%2c2036-159%2c2020-174%2c2020-181%2c2036-8%2c2036-6%2c2020-179%2c2020-183%2c2036-172%2c2036-132%2c2036-4%2c2036-5%2c2036-11%2c2036-7%2c2020-176%2c2020-175|0&id=2036-132

A good shot of the RF porch
http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Detail.aspx?axd=DetailPaging.Search|1&axs=0|2036-180%2c2036-15%2c2036-16%2c2036-143%2c2020-178%2c2036-144%2c2036-12%2c2036-165%2c2036-166%2c2036-175%2c2036-177%2c2036-178%2c2020-173%2c2020-182%2c2036-159%2c2020-174%2c2020-181%2c2036-8%2c2036-6%2c2020-179%2c2020-183%2c2036-172%2c2036-132%2c2036-4%2c2036-5%2c2036-11%2c2036-7%2c2020-176%2c2020-175|0&id=2036-5

http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Detail.aspx?axd=DetailPaging.Search|1&axs=0|2036-180%2c2036-15%2c2036-16%2c2036-143%2c2020-178%2c2036-144%2c2036-12%2c2036-165%2c2036-166%2c2036-175%2c2036-177%2c2036-178%2c2020-173%2c2020-182%2c2036-159%2c2020-174%2c2020-181%2c2036-8%2c2036-6%2c2020-179%2c2020-183%2c2036-172%2c2036-132%2c2036-4%2c2036-5%2c2036-11%2c2036-7%2c2020-176%2c2020-175|0&id=2020-176

http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Detail.aspx?axd=DetailPaging.Search|1&axs=0|2036-180%2c2036-15%2c2036-16%2c2036-143%2c2020-178%2c2036-144%2c2036-12%2c2036-165%2c2036-166%2c2036-175%2c2036-177%2c2036-178%2c2020-173%2c2020-182%2c2036-159%2c2020-174%2c2020-181%2c2036-8%2c2036-6%2c2020-179%2c2020-183%2c2036-172%2c2036-132%2c2036-4%2c2036-5%2c2036-11%2c2036-7%2c2020-176%2c2020-175|0&id=2020-173


Overhead aerial (more recent; allow to load)
http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Detail.aspx?axd=DetailPaging.Search|1&axs=0|218-8%2c796-91%2c2036-9%2c9036-26%2c796-90%2c814-23%2c1057-23%2c796-87%2c2036-128%2c796-89%2c2036-13%2c796-88%2c2036-139%2c2036-125%2c2020-180%2c2036-3%2c2036-2%2c2036-10%2c2036-142%2c2036-122%2c2020-177%2c2020-171%2c2036-129%2c2036-131%2c2036-130%2c2036-136%2c2036-137%2c2036-121%2c2020-172%2c2036-141|0&id=1057-23

[David Atkatz]

they let people walk on the field back then?

that's not fair. Why don't they do that anymore?

Yes, they did.

And they used to let us hang around outside the player's entrance, and get autographs.

And watch batting practice.

And, on Sundays, attend two games for one admission. (It was called a "doubleheader.")

Why don't they do any of those things anymore?

Because they're greedy, money-grubbing ********.

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

Yes, they did.

And they used to let us hang around outside the player's entrance, and get autographs.

And watch batting practice.

And, on Sundays, attend two games for one admission. (It was called a "doubleheader.")

Why don't they do any of those things anymore?

Because they're greedy, money-grubbing ********.

Feeding Bud (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IBlRlDUP00)

[jimmyjimjimz]

Yes, they did.

And they used to let us hang around outside the player's entrance, and get autographs.

And watch batting practice.

And, on Sundays, attend two games for one admission. (It was called a "doubleheader.")

Why don't they do any of those things anymore?

Because they're greedy, money-grubbing ********.

um................................................ ......................................
um................................................ ............................................
um................................................ .................................................. .

people still hang outside the player's entrance and get autographs

I thought they didnt have batting practice anymore cause joe torre didnt want to have it, and I thought it would change with girardi as manager.

wow, you paid to see one game, but they played 2 games and you didn't have to pay for the 2nd one? That's not fair either.

[David Atkatz]

I thought they didnt have batting practice anymore cause joe torre didnt want to have it, and I thought it would change with girardi as manager.

Of course they take BP, jimz.

The fans just don't get to see it.

[jimmyjimjimz]

Of course they take BP, jimz.

The fans just don't get to see it.

Then how come when I went to the stadium extra early in 2002 with some buddies from high school, they said Joe Torre doesnt do batting practice?

[Yankeefan90]

Yes, they did.

And they used to let us hang around outside the player's entrance, and get autographs.

And watch batting practice.

And, on Sundays, attend two games for one admission. (It was called a "doubleheader.")

Why don't they do any of those things anymore?

Because they're greedy, money-grubbing ********.

They still let you wait outside to get autographs, it's up to the players if they want to give those autographs. And I'm pretty sure you could watch batting practice, I know they let you watch BP in other stadiums. And they don't play doubleheaders anymore unless needed because lets be honest it's really not necessary to make a team play 2 games in one day, the players have lives too. And why would you need to walk across the field anymore??? They have monument park now not in the field of play and you could go before the game and see the monuments, no need to beat the field up after every game and make the guys who maintain the field stay extra hours.

[jimmyjimjimz]

They still let you wait outside to get autographs, it's up to the players if they want to give those autographs. And I'm pretty sure you could watch batting practice, I know they let you watch BP in other stadiums. And they don't play doubleheaders anymore unless needed because lets be honest it's really not necessary to make a team play 2 games in one day, the players have lives too. And why would you need to walk across the field anymore??? They have monument park now not in the field of play and you could go before the game and see the monuments, no need to beat the field up after every game and make the guys who maintain the field stay extra hours.

But I always wanted to walk on the field. When I took the tour, they only let us on the warning track.

[David Atkatz]

They still let you wait outside to get autographs, it's up to the players if they want to give those autographs. And I'm pretty sure you could watch batting practice, I know they let you watch BP in other stadiums. And they don't play doubleheaders anymore unless needed because lets be honest it's really not necessary to make a team play 2 games in one day, the players have lives too. And why would you need to walk across the field anymore??? They have monument park now not in the field of play and you could go before the game and see the monuments, no need to beat the field up after every game and make the guys who maintain the field stay extra hours.

I guess you're right Yankeefan.

Things are much better now.

BTW, I especially like that part about "the players having lives, too." Imagine, being forced to work for six months every year for a measly $10-20 million bucks, and then having to play two games in one day! Thank God for the Player's Union!.

Seriously , though, do the math, Howdy. 4-5 Sunday doubleheaders per season, and the player gets 4-5 more off days to spend with his family. (Or, in the Rocket's case, with a convenient blonde bimbo.)

[David Atkatz]

Then how come when I went to the stadium extra early in 2002 with some buddies from high school, they said Joe Torre doesnt do batting practice?


Maybe because you'll believe anything?

[cgcoyne2]

Yes, they did.

And they used to let us hang around outside the player's entrance, and get autographs.

And watch batting practice.

And, on Sundays, attend two games for one admission. (It was called a "doubleheader.")

Why don't they do any of those things anymore?

Because they're greedy, money-grubbing ********.

Dave you forgot a few words there...


Money-Grubbing wealthy beyond belief ********.

And Yes they allow autographs but they set up barriers about 50 feet away from the entrances so if the players want to walk all the way over to the fans then you get an autograph. Otherwise you're screwed.

And Yes the Yankees still take batting practice. The home team bats first and since they open the gates about 1 1/2 hours before game time the Yankees are done, so you get to see the visiting team. I don't know about Joe Torre's feelings here but the Yankees Owner, the bizillionaire George Steinbrenner and ONLY George Steinbrenner says what time the gates open up.

[Mattingly85MVP]

The police barricades used to be just off the to the side of where the press gate, and within the last 5 or so years, they placed the barricades right by where the yankee store entrance is at Gate 4...now all the players do is wave at you as they walk in and you're lucky if they even do that. The only time it seems you can get closer to the players is the day after the yankees play their final game of the season, when the players clean out their locker...they put the barricades back to the area around the press gate.

[David Atkatz]

The police barricades used to be just off the to the side of where the press gate, and within the last 5 or so years, they placed the barricades right by where the yankee store entrance is at Gate 4...now all the players do is wave at you as they walk in and you're lucky if they even do that. The only time it seems you can get closer to the players is the day after the yankees play their final game of the season, when the players clean out their locker...they put the barricades back to the area around the press gate.

Yep.

God forbid you should get a free autograph when Yankees-Steiner will be more than happy to sell you one.

[lollar]

They were just as greedy and money grubbing then as they are now lol...no difference at all really.

[jimmyjimjimz]

Yep.

God forbid you should get a free autograph when Yankees-Steiner will be more than happy to sell you one.

what if you accidentally park in the player's parking lot though? my dad did that once and he met dave winfield.

[David Atkatz]

They were just as greedy and money grubbing then as they are now lol...no difference at all really.

Yes, they've always been greedy. But it's orders of magnitude worse today.

I suggest you take a look at today's (Sunday, May 18) NY Daily News.

[CB22]

Here's a photo of the very last pitch ever thrown in the original (1923-1973) Yankee Stadium.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2182/2494711693_f1f8b91ecc_b.jpg
Originally published in the April 26, 1976 issue of Sports Illustrated. Photo credit: Manny Millan. Original caption: "When Detroit's John Hiller got Mike Hegan out to conclude Yankee Stadium's 1973 season, he also ended an era. Right after that game, workmen began renovating America's most famous sports edifice."

Here is the SI article from this issue:

http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1091010/index.htm

[CB22]

Also see: "A diamond in the ashes" from the same issue

http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1091011/index.htm

[Gary Dunaier]

Not sure if this has been posted before but I've been kinda nuts over this photo ever since I saw it in Yankee Stadium: 75 Years of Drama, Glamor and Glory by Ray Robinson and Christopher Jennison (New York: Penguin Studio, 1998). It's an aerial view of Yankee Stadium and the immediate area taken April 18, 1923 - the very first Opening Day. I love it because it's so clear, and it shows how the area beyond the outfield wall looked back then.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2378/2515078744_2048d8aac1_b.jpg

[alpineinc]

Not sure if this has been posted before but I've been kinda nuts over this photo ever since I saw it in Yankee Stadium: 75 Years of Drama, Glamor and Glory by Ray Robinson and Christopher Jennison (New York: Penguin Studio, 1998). It's an aerial view of Yankee Stadium and the immediate area taken April 18, 1923 - the very first Opening Day. I love it because it's so clear, and it shows how the area beyond the outfield wall looked back then.



Plenty of parking!

It's amazing how rural it was. I can hear it now - "you mean we have to schlep all the way out to the Bronx?". Probably was even more drastic than NYC football fans going to the Meadowlands today.

[Brackish__4]

Not sure if this has been posted before but I've been kinda nuts over this photo ever since I saw it in Yankee Stadium: 75 Years of Drama, Glamor and Glory by Ray Robinson and Christopher Jennison (New York: Penguin Studio, 1998). It's an aerial view of Yankee Stadium and the immediate area taken April 18, 1923 - the very first Opening Day. I love it because it's so clear, and it shows how the area beyond the outfield wall looked back then.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2378/2515078744_2048d8aac1_b.jpg

Thank you Gary, that is an amazing photo. It's almost laughable at how beautiful the old stadium was. Just imagine the green tone of the stadium, with the Statue of Liberty green color of the freize, in Hi-Definition today.

[parlo]

Plenty of parking!

It's amazing how rural it was. I can hear it now - "you mean we have to schlep all the way out to the Bronx?". Probably was even more drastic than NYC football fans going to the Meadowlands today.The subway was already in, and by the late 1920s the Grand Concourse was fully developed. The photo makes it appear more remote than it is. The Polo Grounds was right across the river in northern Manhattan, so the Meadowlands comparison might be a bit of a stretch.

[Gary Dunaier]

And for those of you who may have been wondering how fans at Giants games would have had the new Yankees' stadium rubbed in their faces, as it were, from within the Polo Grounds - dig this:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2131/2205601870_990373f252_o.jpg
(Uploaded to Flickr.com by user Olde New York on January 19, 2008; described as having been taken April 26, 1923. Link to original Flickr.com post: here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/12456197@N03/2205601870/))

This photo, taken just barely a week after Yankee Stadium opened, clearly shows "the house that Ruth built" beyond the right field stands.

No doubt, this view will come as a shock to those who are only familiar with the Polo Grounds in its later incarnations, with double deck stands going all the way around.

[cgcoyne2]

And for those of you who may have been wondering how fans at Giants games would have had the new Yankees' stadium rubbed in their faces, as it were, from within the Polo Grounds - dig this:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2131/2205601870_990373f252_o.jpg
(Uploaded to Flickr.com by user Olde New York on January 19, 2008; described as having been taken April 26, 1923. Link to original Flickr.com post: here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/12456197@N03/2205601870/))

This photo, taken just barely a week after Yankee Stadium opened, clearly shows "the house that Ruth built" beyond the right field stands.

No doubt, this view will come as a shock to those who are only familiar with the Polo Grounds in its later incarnations, with double deck stands going all the way around.


Good for McGraw, the prick. He got what he deserved.

Did you know that the Yankees started as the Baltimore Orioles back in 1901 when the American League started. Well the Baltimore Orioles manager was the same John McGraw. During the 1902 season, he sold at least four of the Orioles players to the New York Giants of the National League. Guess where he managed the second half of the year? He became Giant manager half way through 1902 and retired in 1932. Nice Guy!!!!!

[David Atkatz]

Good for McGraw, the prick. He got what he deserved.

Did you know that the Yankees started as the Baltimore Orioles back in 1901 when the American League started. Well the Baltimore Orioles manager was the same John McGraw. During the 1902 season, he sold at least four of the Orioles players to the New York Giants of the National League. Guess where he managed the second half of the year? He became Giant manager half way through 1902 and retired in 1932. Nice Guy!!!!!

You've got the basic idea, but your facts aren't quite right.

On July 9, 1902, McGraw, who had recently been suspended for an indefinite period by Johnson for abusive behavior toward AL umpires, left Baltimore. For $11,000 per year and the promise of an interference-free reign, he became manager of the New York Giants.
One week later, 201 of the 400 shares of the Baltimore Base Ball Club—those belonging to McGraw and his old Baltimore cronies Joe Kelley and Wilbert Robinson—were transferred to Giants owner Andrew Freedman. For the first (and only) time, a National League club controlled another in the rival league. Almost at once, six Orioles were released. Four, including pitcher Joe “Iron Man” McGinnity and his battery-mate, catcher Roger Bresnahan went to the Giants; the remaining two, including future Hall-of-Famer Joe Kelley, were sent to the NL’s Cincinnati franchise, owned by an Indianapolis department-store magnate named John T. Brush. (Brush and Johnson maintained a long-standing mutual hatred, dating back to Johnson’s Cincinnati sportswriting days.) That September, Brush sold the Reds, and purchased the Giants from Freedman.

However. the American League franchise agreements allowed the League to reclaim 51 percent of the stock of any ballclub that could not field a team. The Orioles had been decimated by Freedman’s raid, and League president Johnson quickly seized control of the club. By December he announced the team's move to New York.

So, in actuality, McGraw precipitated the move to NY that Ban Johnson had been planning.

He did us all a favor.

[cgcoyne2]

Thanks Dave,

My point still holds though. McGraw was a prick and Babe Ruth rubbed his nose in it later!!!!!:clapping

[jerseyyankeefan]

I can understand why the right field fence has always been so pinched in, but why were the dimensions in left so, so deep?

[SHOELESSJOE3]

I can understand why the right field fence has always been so pinched in, but why were the dimensions in left so, so deep?

Good question. You would think when they brought in a right handed power hitter like Joe Dimaggio they would shorten the power alley in LCF. The Pirates did it for Hank Greenberg then when Ralph Kiner came they left it like that, when Kiner left they went back to the pre-Greenberg dimensions on the left side.
Ted Williams comes to the Red Sox in 1939 . In 1940 right field distance is shortened from 334 to 302 and bullpen is now in RCF making the RCF distance shorter.

When Al Simmons was sent to the White Sox in 1933 he complained about the distance of the park dimensions. The White Sox left the fences where they were but moved home plate forward about 14 feet.

Of all the above it was Joe Dimaggio who was in the worst position. Those distances on the left side were terrible for right hand hitters. Makes me appreciate Joe even more.

[jerseyyankeefan]

Good question. You would think when they brought in a right handed power hitter like Joe Dimaggio they would shorten the power alley in LCF. The Pirates did it for Hank Greenberg then when Ralph Kiner came they left it like that, when Kiner left they went back to the pre-Greenberg dimensions on the left side.
Ted Williams comes to the Red Sox in 1939 . In 1940 right field distance is shortened from 334 to 302 and bullpen is now in RCF making the RCF distance shorter.

When Al Simmons was sent to the White Sox in 1933 he complained about the distance of the park dimensions. The White Sox left the fences where they were but moved home plate forward about 14 feet.

Of all the above it was Joe Dimaggio who was in the worst position. Those distances on the left side were terrible for right hand hitters. Makes me appreciate Joe even more.


At that time, nobody else was really hitting HR's, so maybe they figured, lets have Babe hit them and basically no righty would have much of a chance. Then Gehrig came along and there was no reason to change. Who knows how many HR's Dimaggio would have hit in a more fair park for righty's.

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

Not sure if this has been posted before but I've been kinda nuts over this photo ever since I saw it in Yankee Stadium: 75 Years of Drama, Glamor and Glory by Ray Robinson and Christopher Jennison (New York: Penguin Studio, 1998). It's an aerial view of Yankee Stadium and the immediate area taken April 18, 1923 - the very first Opening Day. I love it because it's so clear, and it shows how the area beyond the outfield wall looked back then.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2378/2515078744_2048d8aac1_b.jpg

Absolutely beautiful! Now if I could only find a time machine and a parachute.:crossfingers:

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

Some of these may have been posted way back, but even so, they deserve a repeat. Some are also enlarged

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2025/2522467339_7afe8bc068_o.jpg

1923 Opening Ceremonies
Click To Enlarge (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2153/2522561599_86495f9b05_o.jpg)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3140/2523302290_34b4ac3010_b.jpg


Click To Enlarge (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2018/2522519459_b4b13c9b0f_o.jpg)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2018/2522519459_f03496ae17_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3292/2522467623_99497a9d1b_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3144/2522467519_3cc6aecf51_o.jpg

Click To Enlarge (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2039/2522467269_9a2d533363_o.jpg)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2039/2522467269_771744309b_b.jpg

1940's Jehovas Witnesses Convention
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3225/2522643211_b78ec557a3_o.jpg

[Sean O]

1940's Jehovas Witnesses Convention
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3225/2522643211_b78ec557a3_o.jpg

Neat pic, but not 1940s. The renovations of 1937 put in the proper bleachers that lasted until the 70s. I'm sure one of the more knowledgeable posters could pinpoint it better.

[Gary Dunaier]

1940's Jehovas Witnesses Convention
That photo is from the late 1920s or early 1930s.

[Tom Brookens]

Neat pic, but not 1940s. The renovations of 1937 put in the proper bleachers that lasted until the 70s. I'm sure one of the more knowledgeable posters could pinpoint it better.

In addition, I think the setup looks more like boxing, rather than a religious ceremony.

[The Monument]

In addition, I think the setup looks more like boxing, rather than a religious ceremony.

Absolutely. It's definitely a '20's-30's fight setup. Thanks for those great pix, Mendoza.

[Gary Dunaier]

In addition, I think the setup looks more like boxing, rather than a religious ceremony.

Well, I don't know about that... depending on how much was bet and on what fighter, I'm sure there was some praying goin' on in the Stadium that night... :highfive:

[The Monument]

I looked again and noticed that the courthouse is not there,which would make the photo early 20's.

[Gary Dunaier]

I looked again and noticed that the courthouse is not there,which would make the photo early 20's.

Can't be any earlier than 1928... the 825 Gerard Avenue apartment building, which was built in 1928, is in the picture.

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

I looked again and noticed that the courthouse is not there,which would make the photo early 20's.


Yeah, I was way off on the date (which I sometimes am). My HD filename was 40sJehovahsConf, so either I screwed up or somebody else did; probably me.

[Gehrig27]

I think it must be from 1928-1933 because you can see the end of the left field frieze (circled) which means that this was after the 28' extension but because there is no bronx county courthouse (built in 1933) in the background it must be before 1933. If I had to guess, it might be from the 1928 Gene Tunney v. Tom Heeney or July 1930 Jack Sharkey v. Max Schmeling heavyweight championship bouts.

[cgcoyne2]

I don't know if anybody saw this picture yet but it was in the History of the Game threads under Vintage Panoramic Pictures.


Notice the upper deck seating. The first 4 or 5 rows are removable chairs while the rest of the seats above are fixed in place. You know the Yankee Stadium seats that now go for almost $2000 each. Also you can see the "catwalks" that you went out to your upper deck seats. The second level also seems to have removable seats in the first 4 rows.

[The Monument]

I think it must be from 1928-1933 because you can see the end of the left field frieze (circled) which means that this was after the 28' extension but because there is no bronx county courthouse (built in 1933) in the background it must be before 1933. If I had to guess, it might be from the 1928 Gene Tunney v. Tom Heeney or July 1930 Jack Sharkey v. Max Schmeling heavyweight championship bouts.

Good eye, Gehrig. You're right. I thought that the couthouse was built in the 20's, but I was mistaken.

[Brackish__4]

I don't know if anybody saw this picture yet but it was in the History of the Game threads under Vintage Panoramic Pictures.


Notice the upper deck seating. The first 4 or 5 rows are removable chairs while the rest of the seats above are fixed in place. You know the Yankee Stadium seats that now go for almost $2000 each. Also you can see the "catwalks" that you went out to your upper deck seats. The second level also seems to have removable seats in the first 4 rows.

That is one of the most beautiful photographs I have ever seen.

[Chevy114]

There appears to be a lot of fog or smog in the picture. I know new york had a bad garbage issue in the 1800s because people would leave trash and bath room remains outside their house without having a garbage or sewer system. Would that have anything to do with that kind of mist?

[RichieA13]

The info I have on this photo is Babe Ruth batting in an Old Timers Game - 8-21-42. SUCH a clear photo for that era! WOW! With only a couple fielders present & a totally empty bleachers .... I'm guessing that this was EITHER an early batting practice (before the doors were opened to the fans) for said Old Timers Day, else maybe this was some photo-op/publicity venture .... & NOT an Old Timers Day appearance by The Babe. The clock reads 12:50PM, so unless they opened the gates late that day(?), I'm guess that this wasn't an Old Timers appearance, but rather some other publicity event .... maybe a WWII photo op using Ruth's image to sell War Bonds, or something like that .....? Not sure. Anyone?

[Mattingly85MVP]

There appears to be a lot of fog or smog in the picture. I know new york had a bad garbage issue in the 1800s because people would leave trash and bath room remains outside their house without having a garbage or sewer system. Would that have anything to do with that kind of mist?

I doubt that THAT much smog from garbage would migrate over the stadium and cause that mist, it doesn't even get that bad at Dodger Stadium and LA has the worst smog problem in the US. Probably just the weather that day

[cgcoyne2]

The info I have on this photo is Babe Ruth batting in an Old Timers Game - 8-21-42. SUCH a clear photo for that era! WOW! With only a couple fielders present & a totally empty bleachers .... I'm guessing that this was EITHER an early batting practice (before the doors were opened to the fans) for said Old Timers Day, else maybe this was some photo-op/publicity venture .... & NOT an Old Timers Day appearance by The Babe. The clock reads 12:50PM, so unless they opened the gates late that day(?), I'm guess that this wasn't an Old Timers appearance, but rather some other publicity event .... maybe a WWII photo op using Ruth's image to sell War Bonds, or something like that .....? Not sure. Anyone?

I'm pretty sure this was an exhibition to raise war bonds. It featured Babe Ruth against his old nemesis Walter Johnson. The Babe hit a couple HR's I believe that day.

[Chevy114]

I doubt that THAT much smog from garbage would migrate over the stadium and cause that mist, it doesn't even get that bad at Dodger Stadium and LA has the worst smog problem in the US. Probably just the weather that day

Ok just wondering!

[MarcianoNY]

Found this on nycparks.gov

[Aviator_Frank]

You've got some short shorts there, for a 1938-1945 era. :blush:

[The Monument]

Thanks for that never-before-seen pic, Marciano. And Frank, you're right on with the date. Both grandstans extended, but no lights yet. Too bad they couldn't keep the YANKEE STADIUM sign at the gate.

[cgcoyne2]

Found this on nycparks.gov

Great shot!!!

[SparkyL]

I don't know if anybody saw this picture yet but it was in the History of the Game threads under Vintage Panoramic Pictures.


Notice the upper deck seating. The first 4 or 5 rows are removable chairs while the rest of the seats above are fixed in place. You know the Yankee Stadium seats that now go for almost $2000 each. Also you can see the "catwalks" that you went out to your upper deck seats. The second level also seems to have removable seats in the first 4 rows.

And notice the first rows in the lower deck are in actual boxes (and those seats were movable as well). The original "Legends Suites"!

Also, when I see cross-section shots like this, I am amazed that they were able to engineer a way to remove the support columns without the whole place crashing down.

[Aviator_Frank]

Also, when I see cross-section shots like this, I am amazed that they were able to engineer a way to remove the support columns without the whole place crashing down.

Amazing isn't it? Basically what they did was to add seats to the back of the tier to help balance it out then those tension cables attached to the tier supports and the main facade help yank the tier back and keep it in balance.

What I'd like to know is, how the hell they managed to get the loge section to cantilever. That thing sticks straight out.

I only hope when the demolition starts, some folks here can get photos of YS's bones before she is buried so we can perform a visual autopsy.

[jimmyjimjimz]

Amazing isn't it? Basically what they did was to add seats to the back of the tier to help balance it out then those tension cables attached to the tier supports and the main facade help yank the tier back and keep it in balance.

What I'd like to know is, how the hell they managed to get the loge section to cantilever. That thing sticks straight out.

I only hope when the demolition starts, some folks here can get photos of YS's bones before she is buried so we can perform a visual autopsy.

I'll go down there and take pics when they start taking the old lady apart.

by the way, does anyone know if there's a definate start date or not?

[JWB13]

I'll go down there and take pics when they start taking the old lady apart.

Be sure to wear a hard hat.

[Lpeters199]

Yankee Stadium deleted--was flipped.

[Aviator_Frank]

That's gotta be old YS.

[six4three]

Yep. If it's Pope Paul, then the photo was taken in 1964.

[Brackish__4]

Yankee Stadium--Pope Paul visit.

43548

You can see why they used to call it a catherdral; it actually looked like a church. When they removed the roof, it no longer resembled a church.

[David Atkatz]

I'm pretty sure this was an exhibition to raise war bonds. It featured Babe Ruth against his old nemesis Walter Johnson. The Babe hit a couple HR's I believe that day.

Yes, it is, but the Babe didn't hit any.

His last shot did reach the stands, but a few feet foul. Ever the showman, and knowing that was the best he was going to do, Ruth circled the bases anyway, and then left the field with his old friend Johnson.

[Aviator_Frank]

Funny thing is, in that photo it looks like right-center is the power alley. I wonder if the negative/scan got reversed.

Here it is in proper orientation.

[Lpeters199]

Funny thing is, in that photo it looks like right-center is the power alley. I wonder if the negative/scan got reversed.

Here it is in proper orientation.
Thanks. I should have noticed the picture was flipped. I edited my picture out so as not to waste space, but I haven't figured how to delete a post. Any help would be appreciated.

[Lpeters199]

Babe's in this comedy clip, and a glimpse of the stadium in 1928.

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=5f2_1212101828

[Paul W]

nice footage of old 5th ave., look in back window of cutaways of ruth in back of taxi at 1:49 and 2:29 and you'll see the superstructure of macombs dam bridge even though he's still on 5th. good shot of the stadium from the bridge.

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

^Good clip of old NYC & the Babe.

Here's some YS photos that may not have been posted here yet.

Probably late 1922
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2224/2536892542_ae5d7507a0_o.jpg

Joe & Mick 1960's
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2179/2534660163_9496f0a846_o.jpg

1923
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2368/2534658029_de727842cc_o.jpg

Some NY Giants/football photos at YS

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3111/2534664155_0172d3ac7c_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2388/2535475776_587275f66c_o.jpg

YA Tittle
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3039/2535475204_4ca38bc033_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2241/2535474696_083b8a6fe7_o.jpg

Tittle's view from the dugout
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2252/2534663649_5a80c54fda_o.jpg

I assume prior to an Army-Air Force game
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3179/2535473828_069a4034cd_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3196/2534660645_dbb82069f7_o.jpg

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3003/2535471368_198e840eab_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3284/2535471812_380fa69cb2_o.jpg

A trajectory of Mantle's legendary blast on May 22, 1963, that is estimated would have traveled 620 feet if it hadn't hit the facade. This originally appeared in the Daily News (and later their '73 yearbook) but I'm unsure if this photo is of that actual at bat
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3202/2535470902_b880f767d4_o.jpg

[Gehrig27]

Just foud this awesome clip on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lW7OTeLpjI4

[Gehrig27]

A trajectory of Mantle's legendary blast on May 22, 1963, that is estimated would have traveled 620 feet if it hadn't hit the facade. This originally appeared in the Daily News (and later their '73 yearbook) but I'm unsure if this photo is of that actual at bat

Unfortunately not; I think its just a random picture from 55'-57' because of that Gem Razor ad. I really wish there was more information on this home run though. Besides it being such an amazing moment, It seemed to have such an impact on the people that witnessed it that you would think a clip from the original broadcast could have been saved by the networks. Maybe footage will surface eventually :crossfingers:.

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

Just foud this awesome clip on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lW7OTeLpjI4

Amazing video! Thanks for the find.

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

Painting the foul pole
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3137/2539725366_a793963726_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2180/2539725822_cedb251c15_o.jpg

Bronx Borough President James Lyons tossing a pitch
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3006/2539708954_66b4e626ea_o.jpg

Photographers section
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2119/2538900369_45e8ef0bcf_o.jpg

YS locker rooms & players lounge. Is that Maris with his shirt off?
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3090/2538991077_cb014d8870_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3144/2538991661_defd155791_o.jpg

Clubhouse man Pete Sheehy
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2137/2538901747_24251b532a_o.jpg

New scoreboard control room and control panel 1959
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2281/2538902271_2d9935ab64_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2032/2538902729_3925340013_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3093/2539726886_bc5bf6bcf0_o.jpg

[alpineinc]

A trajectory of Mantle's legendary blast on May 22, 1963, that is estimated would have traveled 620 feet if it hadn't hit the facade. This originally appeared in the Daily News (and later their '73 yearbook) but I'm unsure if this photo is of that actual at bat
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3202/2535470902_b880f767d4_o.jpg

Tuesday, June 5, 1956, Mantle is at bat against the K.C. Athletics. Lou Kretlow dealing, and the A's defensive shift wasn't necessary; Mantle struck out. Berra's on deck, eventually hitting a homer in his at bat. Yanks go on to lose, 7-4, thanks to six errors, three by Billy Martin, two in the 1st inning on consecutive plays! Yanks still had a 3.5 game lead at the end of the day.

I guess the reason why they went so far back for a stock photo, was that Mantle hit that home run against the A's, although it was 7 years later!

[alpineinc]

UPI article of the Mantle HR:

43658

[Reds41]

A trajectory of Mantle's legendary blast on May 22, 1963, that is estimated would have traveled 620 feet if it hadn't hit the facade. This originally appeared in the Daily News (and later their '73 yearbook) but I'm unsure if this photo is of that actual at bat
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3202/2535470902_b880f767d4_o.jpg

Hit Tracker Online disputes the 620 estimate. (http://www.hittrackeronline.com/historic.php?id=1963_3) Hit Tracker estimates the true distance of the Mantle "facade" homer at 507 feet.

"Mickey Mantle, Yankee Stadium, May 22, 1963"
On May 22, 1963, Mickey Mantle hit a home run that none who saw will ever forget. In the 11th inning of the game that day against the Kansas City A's, Mantle hit a Bill Fischer pitch hard on a line to right field, and the ball struck the decorative facade of the stadium mere feet from the top, barely missing becoming the only man ever to hit a fair ball out of Yankee Stadium during a major league game. The ball struck the facade at a point 102 feet above field level, at a point 352 feet horizontally from home plate. Atmopsheric data is known as follows: temperature was 70 degrees, wind was 13 mph from the SW, which at Yankee Stadium means it was blowing out to left field (and thus not helping Mantle's home run). As for the time of flight, it is not known, but various reports from witnesses state that the ball was still climbing when it struck the facade. Since all observers were below the flight path of the ball, it is not likely that anyone could really be certain that the ball was going up, but it seems likely that the ball must have been very near its apex when it hit the facade, so only those trajectories that yield an apex within a few feet of 102 feet above field level will be considered. Another consideration is the speed off the bat that comes out of the assumed time of flight: only times of flight that yield reasonable speeds off the bat will be considered. After trying numerous times of flight, a value of 3.00 seconds was chosen. This yields an apex of 107 feet, which means the ball had only slightly passed its peak. The ball left the bat at an angle of 29.4 degrees, with a calculated value for speed off the bat of 130.2 mph, an extremely high value, but one that seems feasible for what Mantle, one of the greatest long-distance hitters ever, referred to as the hardest ball he ever hit. With the inputs described above, Hit Tracker estimates the true distance of the Mantle "facade" homer at 507 feet. (NOTE: the stadium image shows the current configuration of Yankee Stadium).

Questions or comments about this analysis are welcome, but let me make two points first:
1. if the ball had TRULY still been going up when it hit the facade, it would have had to been going at least 150 mph off the bat. If Mantle (or anyone, for that matter) was capable of hitting a baseball 150 mph, he would certainly have hit a ball near that speed at a better angle (i.e. closer to 35 degrees) at some point in his long career, with that ball EASILY leaving the stadium on the fly. That never happened, which proves that Mantle could not have hit the ball at 150 mph off the bat, and thus that the ball wasn't actually still going up.
2. a baseball in flight responds to forces acting on it, such as gravity, wind resistance and the Magnus Force (from the spin of the ball); it does not respond to "mystique", and it has no idea who hit it. Any estimate of home run distance should limit itself to aerodynamically valid trajectories; a 600 foot home run hit without a following wind (as is the case here) would have to leave the bat at 149 mph, and a 734 foot homer at more than 175 mph.

[alpineinc]

More great finds, as usual, MM.

Love this one - looks more like a dentist's waiting room, lol.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3144/2538991661_defd155791_o.jpg

[alpineinc]

Just foud this awesome clip on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lW7OTeLpjI4

That is a great clip - if it's really color from 1939 that's quite a historical document.

[Gary Dunaier]

1923
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2368/2534658029_de727842cc_o.jpg

This is an awesome photo. Even the Concourse Plaza Hotel is under construction in this shot!

Just imagine... the interior of Yankee Stadium before it opened... before it became known as The House That Ruth Built... before it became the hallowed ground that it is today.

[curb my enthusiasm]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3137/2539725366_a793963726_o.jpg

Awesome picture, but could you imagine how much it would have sucked sitting in the back row of the loge? First, the upper deck would prevent you from seeing high fly balls, and second, the posts would have prevented you from seeing a portion of the field. Major obstructed views there.

[YankeeFanBx]

MM you bring some of the best photos here that I have seen.
Thank you so very much.
As well as the other threads you contribute to!

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

MM you bring some of the best photos here that I have seen.
Thank you so very much.
As well as the other threads you contribute to!

Thanks, but the true thanks should go to those who took the great photos years ago. A number of the ones above came from Joseph Durso's 1972 book Yankee Stadium:Fifty Years of Drama. Long out of print and hard to find; I just happened to stumble upon an old copy at my local library.

Below are some from more recent sources, the Daily News commemorative issues and the USA Today YS special, which is highly recommended.


Maris' 61st HR from '61. Only 23,000 or so at the stadium on the last day of the season to witness history...amazing. An imperfect photo due to it was a 2 page spread that had to be photoshopped to eliminate the crease. Still looking for a clearer full size version of this shot, but for now this will have to do.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3120/2542645740_7d31187b9f_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2048/2541641813_2f05355ab8_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3283/2541642537_154eb4618a_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2274/2542464750_bd49462526_o.jpg



http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3190/2542861408_bd8e4a0c1b_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2142/2542910146_8b98a1922f_o.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3141/2541644877_21edc76a0f_o.jpg



First Night Game
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3163/2542859742_2551bd528f_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3076/2542033635_ce6dc17d5f_o.jpg

[Brackish__4]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3283/2541642537_154eb4618a_o.jpg

This is far and away my favorite photograph. I love how everyone on the field, including the umpires, and the fans are just staring at the beautiful B-17 Flying Fortress. On a related note, I went to the Preakness Stakes two weeks ago, and they had a fly-over by a B2 Spirit Stealth Bomber. I immediately thought of this photograph, and how awesome the stealth bomber would look flying over Yankee Stadium. The F-16 flyovers are just way too fast to appreciate, in my opinion.

[alpineinc]

Another amazing set. Love the Maris 61st, great vantage point, good color, simply outstanding, and also the flyover - love the "See Score Card for Alert Instructions"!

[Aviator_Frank]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3137/2539725366_a793963726_o.jpg


Is it my imagination or do the slots in the frieze that create the columns look very wide in this shot?

[NYFan1stYankFan2nd]

I thought this 1999 film, "For The Love Of The Game" featured recreations of pre-renovated YS?

I YouTubed it and it turns out it's about a Tiger pitcher(Costner) facing the fight of his life on the mound in renovated 1990s YS! Why would I want to see a film about a Stadium I watched a game in two years ago?

Am I thinking of the wrong film - and can someone steer me toward the film that features recreated original YS? I heard they used Detroit's stadium for the recreation, I probably misunderstood that too.

-Confused!

[Yankeefan90]

I thought this 1999 film, "For The Love Of The Game" featured recreations of pre-renovated YS?

I YouTubed it and it turns out it's about a Tiger pitcher(Costner) facing the fight of his life on the mound in renovated 1990s YS! Why would I want to see a film about a Stadium I watched a game in two years ago?

Am I thinking of the wrong film - and can someone steer me toward the film that features recreated original YS? I heard they used Detroit's stadium for the recreation, I probably misunderstood that too.

-Confused!

The movie *61, about Maris's chase of the single season home run record, was filmed in Tiger Stadium, but was computer generated into pre-renovated Yankee Stadium.

[NYFan1stYankFan2nd]

The movie *61, about Maris's chase of the single season home run record, was filmed in Tiger Stadium, but was computer generated into pre-renovated Yankee Stadium.

Thanks for straightening me out! I must YouTube that to check it out but I will definitely borrow it from my library or Netflix it.

[Yankees12]

Just foud this awesome clip on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lW7OTeLpjI4

Wow - what a clip. That is from around the same time period as '39, although I think it might be from '40 and '41. If you notice, there's a good amount of writing above the batters' eye on the wall for advertisements (where the famous "No Betting" sign was eventually placed in the 1950s), although I can't make out what it says. But if you look at this photo of Gehrig during his famous speech, which was on July 4th of 1939, there's only one small line of writing on the wall there - http://www.maniacworld.com/1939_lou_gehrig.jpg. They may have added in the rest of the writing sometime after that speech during that season, although that shows that it can't have been before 7/4/39, and probably wasn't during the 1939 season. But it had to be before the war, since the "Buy U.S. War Bonds" and "See Scorecard for Alert Instructions" signs were not there.

An interesting thing to note however, is that the Gem Blades ad next to the scoreboard during Gehrig's speech is also there during that video, without any changes. I know Gem Blades was a long-time advertiser at YS, but if you look at the photo of the bomber flying over YS during the war, the Gem Blades ad is now the last ad in left-field before the bleachers end, giving more proof that the video must be from before the war.

(Another thing I noticed about the Gem Blades ads is that they returned to that spot right of the scoreboard by 1956, when the Mantle trajectory photo was taken, and was also present, in a different form but that same spot, in the photo of the Bronx Borough Prez throwing out the first pitch on Old Timers' Day, whenever that was taken. Pretty interesting that it moved to a different spot and then moved back and eventually kept changing designs over time.)

[alpineinc]

Wow - what a clip. That is from around the same time period as '39, although I think it might be from '40 and '41. If you notice, there's a good amount of writing above the batters' eye on the wall for advertisements (where the famous "No Betting" sign was eventually placed in the 1950s), although I can't make out what it says. But if you look at this photo of Gehrig during his famous speech, which was on July 4th of 1939, there's only one small line of writing on the wall there - http://www.maniacworld.com/1939_lou_gehrig.jpg. They may have added in the rest of the writing sometime after that speech during that season, although that shows that it can't have been before 7/4/39, and probably wasn't during the 1939 season. But it had to be before the war, since the "Buy U.S. War Bonds" and "See Scorecard for Alert Instructions" signs were not there.

An interesting thing to note however, is that the Gem Blades ad next to the scoreboard during Gehrig's speech is also there during that video, without any changes. I know Gem Blades was a long-time advertiser at YS, but if you look at the photo of the bomber flying over YS during the war, the Gem Blades ad is now the last ad in left-field before the bleachers end, giving more proof that the video must be from before the war.


Actually, the Gem Blades ad is different, with dark letters against a light background on Gehrig's Day in '39, but with white lettering against a dark background (and probably the "New" added as well) in the video. Odds are the advertising would not be changed mid-season, so I think the video would have to be 1940 at the earliest.

43687

[Yankees12]

Actually, the Gem Blades ad is different, with dark letters against a light background on Gehrig's Day in '39, but with white lettering against a dark background (and probably the "New" added as well) in the video. Odds are the advertising would not be changed mid-season, so I think the video would have to be 1940 at the earliest.

43687

Good pickup - I hadn't noticed that slight switch in the ads. I wonder if anyone has photos of the Stadium in 1940 or 1941, which seem to be the most likely dates for that video, so it can be compared and hopefully given at least a definite year. That video is far too great and historical to not be looked into - it'll be extremely hard to pinpoint the exact date though. I keep looking at the pic of the scoreboard at the end of the video and I can't even make out the opponent or the score, much less the lineups or out-of-town scores. Hopefully someone with better technology at their fingertips than I have can try to zoom in on the scoreboard or the jerseys and derive some information from it.

[Philmore]

Without a doubt, the footage is from 1940.

The advertising signs in the outfield were changed at the turn of each year, and sometimes, oddly enough in the middle of the year or before the World Series. In 1940 particularly, the Gem sign in RF was changed at some point around the all-star break. What you see now is some time after that. I don't have a photo on me, but I have an image of DiMaggio receiving his '39 MVP award from LaGuardia in August of '40, and this same sign is in the back. In regards to the WS change, if you can ever get your hands on shots of the centerfield from the '39 series, you'll notice that what was once a sign celebrating Botany Ties and the centennial was later changed to JUST a Botany Ties ad with a much different feel.

I need a life.

Graig
www.graigkreindler.com

[Gehrig27]

Maybe some of these could help: 1937 (GEM sign is pretty close but I think its slightly different in the video), 1938 world series game, and 1941.

[alpineinc]

All the talk of removing parkland around the stadium area - they certainly put it to good use in the old days!

http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_about/parks_history/bat_sports/24977_2-10-1947_McCombsDamParkRacewithYankeeStadium%20in%20ba ckground-lg.jpg


Also some interesting late '30's shots of a lucky kid in a front row seat - with Joe D peeking above the dugout.

http://www.vintageball.com/files/Boy_Yankee.jpg

[Gehrig27]

Here are some shots I found on ebay. The first is a construction shot from 9/20/22, the second is of the field before opening day 1923, and the third picture is from the 1928 Gene Tunney boxing match.

[jimmyjimjimz]

All the talk of removing parkland around the stadium area - they certainly put it to good use in the old days!

http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_about/parks_history/bat_sports/24977_2-10-1947_McCombsDamParkRacewithYankeeStadium%20in%20ba ckground-lg.jpg


Also some interesting late '30's shots of a lucky kid in a front row seat - with Joe D peeking above the dugout.

http://www.vintageball.com/files/Boy_Yankee.jpg


I wonder if Mr. DiMaggio gave the little boy his autograph. I heard that Mr. DiMaggio refused to give people his autograph unless they gave him money. That's why he never got along with Mickey Mantle.

[Sean O]

I wonder if Mr. DiMaggio gave the little boy his autograph. I heard that Mr. DiMaggio refused to give people his autograph unless they gave him money. That's why he never got along with Mickey Mantle.

Also, could have something to do with Dimaggio not calling for that Mays fly ball until too late, causing Mantle to annihilate his knee on the drain cover.

[jimmyjimjimz]

Also, could have something to do with Dimaggio not calling for that Mays fly ball until too late, causing Mantle to annihilate his knee on the drain cover.

I honestly don't know, but my dad told me it was basically because DiMaggio used to always ask for money for appearances and stuff, like old timer's day, and when he'd throw out the first pitch on opening day, and that pissed Mickey off.

[Yankees 9782]

I honestly don't know, but my dad told me it was basically because DiMaggio used to always ask for money for appearances and stuff, like old timer's day, and when he'd throw out the first pitch on opening day, and that pissed Mickey off.

Mickey didn't like Joe because when Mickey first came up DiMaggio didn't make it easy for him. DiMaggio also felt threatened by the new star, which is another reason he was cold towards Mickey.

What you're saying may have added to his dislike for DiMaggio.

[Yankees73]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3003/2535471368_198e840eab_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3284/2535471812_380fa69cb2_o.jpg

A trajectory of Mantle's legendary blast on May 22, 1963, that is estimated would have traveled 620 feet if it hadn't hit the facade. This originally appeared in the Daily News (and later their '73 yearbook) but I'm unsure if this photo is of that actual at bat
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3202/2535470902_b880f767d4_o.jpg Thanks for adding these Mendoza.. Aren't these from the book Yankee Stadium, 50 years of Drama from Joe Durso?

[jimmyjimjimz]

Thanks for adding these Mendoza.. Aren't these from the book Yankee Stadium, 50 years of Drama from Joe Durso?

I saw that last pic in the Daily News after Mickey Mantle died.

[NYFan1stYankFan2nd]

Painting the foul pole
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3137/2539725366_a793963726_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2180/2539725822_cedb251c15_o.jpg

Bronx Borough President James Lyons tossing a pitch
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3006/2539708954_66b4e626ea_o.jpg

Photographers section
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2119/2538900369_45e8ef0bcf_o.jpg

YS locker rooms & players lounge. Is that Maris with his shirt off?
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3090/2538991077_cb014d8870_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3144/2538991661_defd155791_o.jpg

Clubhouse man Pete Sheehy
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2137/2538901747_24251b532a_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3093/2539726886_bc5bf6bcf0_o.jpg
That last photo at the bottom could so very much be a sequel to "The Blob".
:rofl:

[Brackish__4]

Just in case this hasn't already been posted:

43966

Do you have a larger size of this photograph?

[NYFan1stYankFan2nd]

http://farm4.static.