Yankee Stadium Pre-Renovation

[Mattingly85MVP]

The Yankees have hinted recently that they were restoring the old championship banners that once hung around the stadium. They also plan to display them similarly in New Yankee Stadium. I had heard that some of these banners were being shown at the All-Star Fanfest and while searching on Flickr I found this picture (uploaded by user wenhether).

Here's what the original banners looked like...but the new one looks good...hope they have them ready for opening day 09

[J2K]

Here's what the original banners looked like...but the new one looks good...hope they have them ready for opening day 09
Those look really tacky. Why have such a nice looking freize only to cover it up with those foul looking things.

[shaneslatts]

Those look really tacky. Why have such a nice looking freize only to cover it up with those foul looking things.


Obviously looking for an argument:grouchy:rofl:

[locke40]

It looks absolutely amazing, in my opinion.

47254

[Mattingly85MVP]

Those look really tacky. Why have such a nice looking freize only to cover it up with those foul looking things.

Tacky?! You gotta be joking.

[baseballman1243]

It's not tacky if its original.

[J2K]

Obviously looking for an argument:grouchy:rofl:

There's no point in arguing someone's opinion that differs from your own... Please

[locke40]

I think if the State Farm Homerun Derby were in the pre-renovated Yankee Stadium, a few of Josh Hamilton's homeruns would have cleared the right field roof, or at least had hit the frieze.

[six4three]

For special occassions, the banners will look beautiful.

But I agree that they shouldn't be up all the time.

[J2K]

For special occassions, the banners will look beautiful.

But I agree that they shouldn't be up all the time.

I think they would look great if they were on flag poles on the wall beyond the outfield seats, surrounding the entire outfield. I like the freize and wouldn't like to see it covered up. Again folks... my opinion.

[Gehrig27]

I think if the State Farm Homerun Derby were in the pre-renovated Yankee Stadium, a few of Josh Hamilton's homeruns would have cleared the right field roof, or at least had hit the frieze.

I think your right. That was all I kept thinking about as he crushed pitch after pitch into the seats. A couple of them would have at least grazed the frieze and his 518ft clout certainly would have struck it (on the way down though; no one can beat Mickey’s blast).

I decided to compare the pre-renovated vs. current stadiums in order to judge where his 518ft shot would have landed in the old stadium (ignoring the fact that the playing field itself has changed from old to current). First, I went back and watched the clip of the ball (circled in red) landing so I could tell what row it probably hit. Then I took Sparky’s cross-section and put in the location of the tunnels for reference (black is pre-renovation, blue is current), and marked the flight of the ball in red based on which row I saw it land in. Lastly, I added a picture of the pre-1973 right field stands with the balls location again in red.

[cgcoyne2]

Two things from me.

First, great work Gehrig27 on the Josh Hamilton HR's in old Yankee Stadium possibly bouncing off the frieze..:bowdown:

Secondly, the problem with the banners for world championships covering up the beautiful frieze is that we have so many that you can no longer see the frieze.

NYUCK, NYUCK, NYUCK

[brooklyndodger14]

I think your right. That was all I kept thinking about as he crushed pitch after pitch into the seats. A couple of them would have at least grazed the frieze and his 518ft clout certainly would have struck it (on the way down though; no one can beat Mickey’s blast).

I decided to compare the pre-renovated vs. current stadiums in order to judge where his 518ft shot would have landed in the old stadium (ignoring the fact that the playing field itself has changed from old to current). First, I went back and watched the clip of the ball (circled in red) landing so I could tell what row it probably hit. Then I took Sparky’s cross-section and put in the location of the tunnels for reference (black is pre-renovation, blue is current), and marked the flight of the ball in red based on which row I saw it land in. Lastly, I added a picture of the pre-1973 right field stands with the balls location again in red.


Very interesting analysis and diagrams, Gehrig27, thanks!

I know how everyone (including myself) regard the Mantle homeruns as the closest baseballs came to clearing the Stadium roof, but it seems highly possible that, had Hamilton's blast been just slightly further left, the ball would have cleared the upper deck and its descending arc would take it past the old Yankee bullpen back wall and thus OUT of the Stadium.

In the pre-renovation reference shot, the ball would have "threaded the needle" by passing the triangular space formed by the upperdeck incline, the outer support pillar, and the lower edge of the fascade/frieze.

http://baseball-fever.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=47351&stc=1&d=1216332217

I might have read it somewhere but I can't be sure, but I think that is the only way I believe a fair ball can be hit completely out of the Stadium old or new. What a feat that would have been to help bring down the curtain to the Stadium... and to have been witnessed by 55,000 plus fans and countless millions on TV...

Dennis
BrooklynDodger14

[kobathecat]

I think Bernie Williams accomplished it during batting practive once.

[RichieA13]

I think Bernie Williams accomplished it during batting practive once.


Yes. That is accurate. I recall reading about it in one of the NY papers the day after he did it. Apparantly, he shot it over the old RF bullpen "gap" between the RF bleachers & the seats in RF. It doesn't get recognized as it didn't happen in a game, but it definitely happened. It's a bit of a "trick shot" to get a ball in there .... but apparently "Bernie Went Boom" that day!

[Gehrig27]

Yes, Bernie did it in batting practice before a 2001 game. It's crazy to think what the atmosphere in the stadium would have been like had Hamilton's ball been a little to the left (since it hit the last row) and gone through that opening between the billboards and grandstand. I was lucky enough to have been at the derby in person and witnessed first hand the collective gasps and roar after the bank of america sign was hit in addition to the 518ft blast; I can't even comprehend what it would have felt like to have seen Mantle's.

[Yankees12]

Actually, there's another ball hit by Hamilton that might have went out of the pre-renovated Stadium, and it wans't even his longest. The ball that hit the Bank of America sign on the scoreboard (I've never seen anyone hit that scoreboard, BTW, in batting practice or in a game, so I was in disbelief when he did) would have cleared the old short wall of ads behind the bleachers before 1973. The only question is would it have hit the scoreboard - it seemed to be to the right of where the scoreboard was though. There's a real good chance that ball would've landed outside of the Stadium in pre-renovated YS though.

[jimmyjimjimz]

Didn't someone (I can't remember who) hit one during the home run derby that hit the top of the frieze and it almost went out of the stadium? I remember seeing that. A couple home runs I thought went out, but I guess not, because they didn't make a huge deal about it.

[applenut]

Didn't someone (I can't remember who) hit one during the home run derby that hit the top of the frieze and it almost went out of the stadium? I remember seeing that. A couple home runs I thought went out, but I guess not, because they didn't make a huge deal about it.

. no.

[Yankees12]

There were a few that had a chance at going out, and ESPN had such bad camera angles that it was sometimes hard to tell where a few landed. But none hit the frieze, and none went out.

[Gary Dunaier]

It certainly looked like one or two went out of there, but obviously that was not the case.

Even if one had gone out, it wouldn't be viewed as "legitimate," because it didn't happen during an actual game... there would always be a qualifier, 'no fair ball was ever hit out of Yankee Stadium, but during the 2008 Home Run Derby...'

Wonder if there'll be the same "mystique" or "aura" to someone hitting one out of the new (2009) Yankee Stadium.

[stadiumbuilder]

Don't forget that when they renovated the Stadium, home plate was moved up at least ten feet to help the sight lines. The upper deck and back wall of the bleachers are closer to home plate now, but further comlicating the analogy is that the field is also 5 1/2 feet lower than it was in the old Stadium.

[parlo]

Don't forget that when they renovated the Stadium, home plate was moved up at least ten feet to help the sight lines. The upper deck and back wall of the bleachers are closer to home plate now, but further comlicating the analogy is that the field is also 5 1/2 feet lower than it was in the old Stadium.And the billboard/scoreboard wall is much higher now.

[Lpeters199]

From the opening scene of West Side Story.

47691

[jimmyjimjimz]

From the opening scene of West Side Story.

47691

wow, the area around the stadium looked so different back then.

Was Stan in business by then? I know there WAS a bar accross the street, but was it called Stan's? And were all of Stan's other stores open back then?

[brooklyndodger14]

wow, the area around the stadium looked so different back then.

Was Stan in business by then? I know there WAS a bar accross the street, but was it called Stan's? And were all of Stan's other stores open back then?


For a long time before Stan's, there was a baseball shop known as Manny's Baseball Land. They were THE biggest souvenir stand outside of Yankee Stadium itself.

I know they had moved to New Jersey sometime in the late 70's, but I don't know if they are still in business at all.

Dennis
BrooklynDodger14

[Smirkman]

For a long time before Stan's, there was a baseball shop known as Manny's Baseball Land. They were THE biggest souvenir stand outside of Yankee Stadium itself.

I know they had moved to New Jersey sometime in the late 70's, but I don't know if they are still in business at all.

Dennis
BrooklynDodger14

I used to shop Manny's. They were the best. Too bad they were bought out by Pro Team which was acquired by Star Struck.

[RichardLillard1]

Look at the field, that aerial can't be from 1961. The speaker cage is on the field and if you look closely, it seems as though the facings of the decks and the frieze are white.


Richard

[kobathecat]

One thing you never, ever hear mentioned on these boards is the wonderful groundwork (is there a better term for it?) around YS. By this I mean the black and white tiles or bricked walkway surrounding YS that survived the renovation. It would be wonderful if it could be preserved after demolition. It can be seen best in overhead shots around the original ticket booths.

[LetsGoMets687]

Look at the field, that aerial can't be from 1961. The speaker cage is on the field and if you look closely, it seems as though the facings of the decks and the frieze are white.


Richard

It's from the opening sequence of WEST SIDE STORY, which was released in 1961. No two ways about it.

[LetsGoMets687]

Look at the field, that aerial can't be from 1961. The speaker cage is on the field and if you look closely, it seems as though the facings of the decks and the frieze are white.


Richard

Ok, here's proof from your own collection--1961 World Series, and you can clearly see the speaker bumpout. ;)

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a286/RichardLillard1/U12987554Oct1961WS.jpg

[Lpeters199]

Look at the field, that aerial can't be from 1961. The speaker cage is on the field and if you look closely, it seems as though the facings of the decks and the frieze are white.


Richard
I wrote 1961 on my post because West Side Story was released that year. The aerial sequence might have been filmed in 1960. Were there any changes between '60 and '61 that might be noticeable on the screen capture?

[Gehrig27]

You can also see that there is bunting on the face of the decks and the stands are packed, so this is probably from opening day, the world series, or maybe even the all-star game.

[Lpeters199]

You can also see that there is bunting on the face of the decks and the stands are packed, so this is probably from opening day, the world series, or maybe even the all-star game.
Either opening day or the World Series, yes, but not the 1960 All-Star game. I was there, and the attendance that day was only 37,000. The stands are packed in this picture, plus there was no bunting for the All-Star game. I can still see Willie Mays' home run bouncing around among the empty left field seats. That was my only trip to Yankee Stadium--unforgettable!

[signals34]

I had a quick question...In the 1923 original stadium...was it a home run or a ball in play if a ball was hit over the left field wall , cleared the stands but bounced on the ground in front of the bleacher wall...The way the walls were set up I'm sure this happened a few times...anyone know the original ground rules at the original '23 stadium....

[Sean O]

Those look really tacky. Why have such a nice looking freize only to cover it up with those foul looking things.

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

I'm a Red Sox fan, so the mere thought of Yankees success is nauseating, and even I think those are gorgeous. I'd hang one on (the entirety of) my apartment wall.

[brooklyndodger14]

I wrote 1961 on my post because West Side Story was released that year. The aerial sequence might have been filmed in 1960. Were there any changes between '60 and '61 that might be noticeable on the screen capture?

If you look at the out-of-town scoreboard, ypu will notice that there is a white horizontal line going across it.

During the first 2 seasons of the "new" main scoreboard (1959-1960) that line seperated the American League scores (top half) from the National League (bottom half).

1961 brought about the AL expansion from 8 teams to 10 with the addition of the Angels and the "new" Senators, thereby forcing the re-arrangement of the display with the leagues seperated vertically (AL left, NL right). This layout remained until the 1973 season.

A bit of trivia: The "No Betting Permitted" sign (later changed to "No Betting in Stadium" in the early 1970's), was always included on the AL side of the scoreboard until the 1969 expansion, when the AL was switched to the right side to display all 10 out of town AL teams. The NL side always omitted two pairs of teams from that point on whenever there was a full slate of games.

Dennis
BrooklynDodger14

[LetsGoMets687]

I had a quick question...In the 1923 original stadium...was it a home run or a ball in play if a ball was hit over the left field wall , cleared the stands but bounced on the ground in front of the bleacher wall...The way the walls were set up I'm sure this happened a few times...anyone know the original ground rules at the original '23 stadium....

I wondered that myself. Also, I think it's theoretically possible for that to happen in the RF corner of PETSMART Park.

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

I like that '60-61 aerial.

Here's a few more....


Mickey Mantle Day
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3068/2669353537_8e3fd00c75_o.jpg

Joe DiMaggio Day (notice Mel Allen)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3258/2670175496_2a491aae8e_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3029/2670175338_c0204de00c_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3165/2670175102_1987a6fcff_o.jpg

1958
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3006/2670174948_09ed1888df_o.jpg

1958
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3235/2669352753_621df99792_o.jpg

1963
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3275/2670174472_95b15bdde9_o.jpg

1971 (just before they ruined it with their grand "renovation")
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3293/2670174588_9b0f1b922d_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3289/2670174344_a9893a26d7_o.jpg


IMO, whoever OK'd the '73 renovations should have been jailed for high crimes (along with those who greenlighted the demolition of Penn Station 10 years earlier) :mad:

[Lpeters199]

What team was wearing the white caps?

48003

[six4three]

Don't know. The Reds are the only team I can think of that wore white caps at that time, but that doesn't seem to work. Could the photo be misdated?

[Pelt]

I agree. If it were the Reds it would have to be the WS and there would be a few more butts in the seats.

I'm thinking it's misdated and could possibly be the St Louis Browns.

[brooklyndodger14]

I agree. If it were the Reds it would have to be the WS and there would be a few more butts in the seats.

I'm thinking it's misdated and could possibly be the St Louis Browns.

Enlarging up the image as best I could, it seems that STLOUIS is the name on the LF scoreboard.

That would place the photo anywhere between 1946 thru 1953 (the Browns then becoming the Orioles in 1954). So I would think that the photo might be mislabeled as 1958 instead of 1953.

Great finds, Mr. Mendoza, keep those images coming!

Dennis
BrooklynDodger14

[six4three]

They went to brown caps in 1950.

[brooklyndodger14]

They went to brown caps in 1950.

Thus, that would narrow the picture range to between 1946 (the year of the lights installation) to 1949.

Dennis
BrooklynDodger14

[LetsGoMets687]

Thus, that would narrow the picture range to between 1946 (the year of the lights installation) to 1949.

Dennis
BrooklynDodger14

But were those electronic outfield scoreboards installed in the 40s???

[Gehrig27]

The auxiliary scoreboards were installed in 1946. You can also tell it’s not from 1958 because of the billboards; in 1958 they switched over to all being on that light blue background with white lines dividing the ads, that picture shows just individual ads.

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

Don't know. The Reds are the only team I can think of that wore white caps at that time, but that doesn't seem to work. Could the photo be misdated?

I was unsure of the team in the white caps myself; the date on the file was '58 (obviously wrong). As a general rule of thumb....... if it's MM doing the dating, it's probably misdated:ughh.

You're right Dennis, probably late '40's -early 50's.

[penncentralpete]

For a long time before Stan's, there was a baseball shop known as Manny's Baseball Land. They were THE biggest souvenir stand outside of Yankee Stadium itself.

I know they had moved to New Jersey sometime in the late 70's, but I don't know if they are still in business at all.

Dennis
BrooklynDodger14

Manny's Baseball Land became 1-800-pro-baseball in 1995. I don't know if they're still kicking.......

[brooklyndodger14]

But were those electronic outfield scoreboards installed in the 40s???

Actually, the original 1946 OF auxilliary scoreboards were manual except for the batter's line, and the B-S-O indicators. You can see that most notably in the famous Larsen's Perfect game pic of the final pitch.

All-electronic boards were installed in 1959 with the new (and final) main scoreboard in the bleachers.

Anyone who used to exit via the bleacher and bullpen exits will remember how high the heat was from passing the combined output of the scoreboard lights at game's end.


Dennis
BrooklynDodger14

[foxyvixen]

Hi everyone, new to the forum; found it mostly over this wonderful thread. Something I'm very interested in: does any one have any pictures of the interior concourses pre-renovation? Having only seen the stadium post-renovation, I'm really curious to see the interior, especially on the Tier and Mezzanine, as both have changed significantly, and both look very tight for a stadium of the size. The earlier pictures from the TV show were terrific.

If anyone has anything, thanks in advance, and keep those pictures coming ;-)

[locke40]

Hi everyone, new to the forum; found it mostly over this wonderful thread. Something I'm very interested in: does any one have any pictures of the interior concourses pre-renovation? Having only seen the stadium post-renovation, I'm really curious to see the interior, especially on the Tier and Mezzanine, as both have changed significantly, and both look very tight for a stadium of the size. The earlier pictures from the TV show were terrific.

If anyone has anything, thanks in advance, and keep those pictures coming ;-)

Welcome foxy, it's good to have a woman on this board (as your name suggests :)) You will come to realize that photographs of the pre-renovated stadium are far and few between, and when they do surface, we all jump all over them. I'm sure there are a ton of photos out there, but are just lost in grandpa's attic somewhere. :rofl:

[TJH1923]

The auxiliary scoreboards were installed in 1946. You can also tell it’s not from 1958 because of the billboards; in 1958 they switched over to all being on that light blue background with white lines dividing the ads, that picture shows just individual ads.

The auxiliary scoreboards were installed for the 1948 season. Please view the 1947 photo of Dimaggio, Gionfriddo catch during the WS. Also note only two Monuments in CF.

[monkeypants]

The auxiliary scoreboards were installed for the 1948 season. Please view the 1947 photo of Dimaggio, Gionfriddo catch during the WS. Also note only two Monuments in CF.

Also interesting to see how far to LCF the monuments stood. I wonder what the 'true' distance to CF was (it's always listed as 457')?

[Anubis2051]

I have a question. I heard a story that if a ball were to bounce up onto the PA system that was installed in LCF, it was a ground-rule tripple in the old stadium. Is there any truth to this?

[Gehrig27]

The auxiliary scoreboards were installed for the 1948 season. Please view the 1947 photo of Dimaggio, Gionfriddo catch during the WS. Also note only two Monuments in CF.

Good catch. I should have known better when I just grabbed the 75 years of drama book next to my computer and found a picture with caption stating they were installed for the 46' season; I can't even count the amount inacuracies I've found in it over the years. :rofl:

[Gehrig27]

Fans waiting to see game one of the 1926 world series outside the old wooden bleachers.

[SHOELESSJOE3]

Also interesting to see how far to LCF the monuments stood. I wonder what the 'true' distance to CF was (it's always listed as 457')?

From what I have seen CF was marked off at 461 and deep LCF was 457.
Some where in between that 457 and 461 the wall had to be around 470 feet from home plate.

Look at the wall configuration, it bows out not much but some to the left side of 461 so it had to be deeper than that 461.

I do recall some years ago reading that it was 466 to the left side of the CF screen but it looks to me to be more than 466. With that bow configuation, jutting out to the left of that 461 how could it be only 5 feet deeper as they say 466.

[SHOELESSJOE3]

Here is an illustration, looks about 470 at that point between 457-461.

[RichardLillard1]

Sorry about the inaccuracy. My computer crashed a while back and I lost ALL of my pictures of the stadium. Research (and keeping my mind fresh on the stadium's layout and features) are now limited to my memory, which is hazy at best.

That being said, there have been some GREAT additions to this thread!

Apologies again.


Richard

[TJH1923]

Good catch. I should have known better when I just grabbed the 75 years of drama book next to my computer and found a picture with caption stating they were installed for the 46' season; I can't even count the amount inacuracies I've found in it over the years. :rofl:

I also believed they were installed in '46 until I saw the photo of the '47 WS.

[RichieA13]

Fans waiting to see game one of the 1926 world series outside the old wooden bleachers.

The FIRST "Bleacher Creatures"! Look how spiffy they dressed!

[shaneslatts]

The FIRST "Bleacher Creatures"! Look how spiffy they dressed!

Yes...but notice that even then the Great grandfathers of The Bleacher Creatures need a Police Officer to keep them in check!:)....Right there, a new Yankee Tradition was born :bowdown:

The more things change, the more they remain the same :cap:No offence to any Creatures out there :dance

[Gehrig27]

I was searching the New York Public Library site today and found this great series of pictures taken from 1924, 1926, 1935, and 1941 that show the rapid growth around the stadium over 20 years. I don’t know how to enlarge the images so I’ll post the link if anybody can get them larger.
http://digitalgallery.nypl.org/nypldigital/id?734262F

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

Nice pics Gehrig; I don't think they can be enlarged though.


Here's a shot from around 1973, as well as two photos taken just the other night from a similar spot.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3151/2708323635_772599e8c6_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3062/2703161698_127bdf6003_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3200/2703165134_8c5df49886_o.jpg

[Lpeters199]

From Corbis.

48294

[RichardLillard1]

Hey everyone,

I was poking around on eBay this morning when I stumbled upon these two photographs. Below is the listing and pictures from the auction.

They're listed as both being from opening day, however, the second one, while being from some time in the 1923 season, is not. The Yankee Stadium banner that was put up on this side of the stadium in the weeks prior to opening day is not visible in the distance. But, it does show a GREAT view of the two ballparks and with the Polo Grounds grandstand/bleacher work being done too!

The listing isn't for very much, if I bid and win, I'll post hi-res scans. Unless someone else here beats me to it!

http://cgi.ebay.com/2-Photographs-Opening-Day-Yankee-Stadium-April-18-1923_W0QQitemZ220262438165QQihZ012QQcategoryZ14279 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem



http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a286/RichardLillard1/156554527_o.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a286/RichardLillard1/156554552_o.jpg
"Opening Game Yankee Stadium, 70,000 in the stadium, 15,000 outside, 'Babe' Ruth gets his usual home run."


http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a286/RichardLillard1/156554540_o.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a286/RichardLillard1/156554559_o.jpg
"The Polo Grounds in foreground, Stadium XX, Concourse Plaza X, Machine on Harlem River, Speedway--taken from Edgecombe Ave."

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

^Nice. I hope you don't get sniped.

Most of the b/w pics are from the Daily News, with some slight retouching to eliminate lines, blurry text etc.

ENLARGE (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3273/2715271365_12c95acf67_o.jpg)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3273/2715271365_61eea2256e_b.jpg

1967-painting the frieze
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3059/2716113394_4cc6b8fa27_o.jpg

1973 Murcer and Fisk
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3196/2712824646_735c359ba4_o.jpg

Previously posted on this board, but worth another post. Rarely seen angle (and one of my favorite YS shots)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3091/2712824378_b741730a58_o.jpg

1957 Billy Graham
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3173/2708960916_4540c6c52b_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3162/2708142823_b83edabe5f_o.jpg

1971 Jehovahs Witness baptism ceremony(I think)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3274/2708958634_c50eb9d404_o.jpg

1923
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3266/2708138973_e506b03317_o.jpg

Giants-Colts (probably late 50's)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3093/2708130381_2c5a6e27cf_o.jpg

1964 WS Mantle game winning HR
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3245/2702334599_9e3c711b7f_o.jpg

[NYFan1stYankFan2nd]

^Nice. I hope you don't get sniped.

Most of the b/w pics are from the Daily News, with some slight retouching to eliminate lines, blurry text etc.

ENLARGE (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3273/2715271365_12c95acf67_o.jpg)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3273/2715271365_61eea2256e_b.jpg

1967-painting the frieze
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3059/2716113394_4cc6b8fa27_o.jpg

1957 Billy Graham
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3173/2708960916_4540c6c52b_o.jpg

Giants-Colts (probably late 50's)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3093/2708130381_2c5a6e27cf_o.jpg

1964 WS Mantle game winning HR
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3245/2702334599_9e3c711b7f_o.jpg

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

Speechless... Though the Old Lady must be blushing now knowing how much we can see of her in the top-most rendering. ;)

Those guys hanging on the Frieze - My roller-coaster riding is no match for that thrill.

If I might ask - Was/Is the concourse level directly accessing Field seating at or below street level? That is, could you walk directly from the street, through the gates, onto the back row of Field - or did you have to go up a level to access Field? The '06 game I went to I sat in Tier reserved, so didn't really pay attention to where the other concourses led.

[Gary Dunaier]

If I might ask - Was/Is the concourse level directly accessing Field seating at or below street level? That is, could you walk directly from the street, through the gates, onto the back row of Field - or did you have to go up a level to access Field?

Can't speak for the pre-renovation incarnation, but in today's version the Field Level concourse, and the Field Level aisle, are at street level. I suppose it was the same in the "old" version too.

You have to go up a level to access the Main Level, which is essentially the back rows of the Field Level seating.

[Lpeters199]

Beautiful, Mario. I watched it on TV, and I'll always think of it as the Barney Schultz game. One pitch, one World Series game loss. And both Mantle and Schultz are captured in the aftermath by this pic. Mickey looks like he's fighting hard to keep from grinning. Excellent!

[RichieA13]

Does anyone out there have a photo of the seating chart/diagram of Old Yankee Stadium (pre 1973)?

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

Does anyone out there have a photo of the seating chart/diagram of Old Yankee Stadium (pre 1973)?

I've looked, but all I find are post renovation charts. If I find one I'll post it here.

Here's some of Mantle at the Stadium and a few from his home/restaurant in Texas.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3119/2718820166_8619115346_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3157/2718820030_12e21e5ac1_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3075/2718000945_24b871ea58_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3245/2718000853_5225dc5809_o.jpg

I love this shot. Great view of the RF wall gates
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3102/2718820390_16693cb9f1_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3181/2718000587_a72488018a_o.jpg

BTW, has anyone seen the one hour documentary on Mantle with Bob Costas? (it may have aired on HBO). It makes me look at his family photo in a different light. It has some good video shots of the stadium as well.

[spiderico]

Some shots of the Frieze under construction from the "Baseball's Cathedral" DVD. Interesting footage, but they use Tony Morante's line about "turned metal", which we all know has been proven false. It was in fact copper.

[NYaDiO]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3266/2708138973_e506b03317_o.jpg

A question about the pic above.
The second and upper deck were extended forming the U horse shoe shape we have today, when were they extended to make this shape? Also if they did this then didn't that require work to the facade, making that part of the facade "not so from the original stadium?"

[mandrake]

I don't think that the upper decks were 'finished' until around 1938. When the stadium opened in 1923, the newspapers were publishing BS stories that there were 80,000 people at games. The actual seating and standing room MAY have been around 50,000. And the attendance was only 1,004,000 for the 1923 seaon. It was a drop of around 250,000 from the 1921 season at the Polo Grounds.

[Yankees12]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3266/2708138973_e506b03317_o.jpg

A question about the pic above.
The second and upper deck were extended forming the U horse shoe shape we have today, when were they extended to make this shape? Also if they did this then didn't that require work to the facade, making that part of the facade "not so from the original stadium?"

The left field side was expanded in 1928, while the right field side was expanded in 1937, the same year concrete bleachers (that still exist today) were put in. The facade in those expansions actually had a different shade than the original (1923) facade, since the 1923 facade was, of course, far more oxidized and "green" than the newer parts of the facade (think, the shade of a penny compared to the shade of the Statue of Liberty). There's a few pictures in this thread, that show this difference in shading, some from even the 50's, when it was still obvious (I have to imagine it was visible, albeit not as obviously, all the way until 1966, when the facade was painted white, although I'm really not sure).

[NYFan1stYankFan2nd]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3266/2708138973_e506b03317_o.jpg

A question about the pic above.
The second and upper deck were extended forming the U horse shoe shape we have today, when were they extended to make this shape? Also if they did this then didn't that require work to the facade, making that part of the facade "not so from the original stadium?"

The LF extension(1928)-on the right as seen from this aerial - basically follows the profile of the Field Seating bowl as it is here.

The RF extension(1937)-to the left from this aerial - included an extension of the Field bowl mirroring that of the LF grandstand. The far-RF bleachers you see there ceased to exist that year.

I'm quite confident that the extensions to the facade(Frieze) followed the exact same blueprints as did the Frieze that was hung in '23. It just didn't match in color because the original sections had more years on them. Kinda like the Washington Monument -which was interupted by the Civil War but was finished with stone from another quarry. To this day you can still see the line where the new vein of stone was tapped to complete the Monument.

[locke40]

^Nice. I hope you don't get sniped.

Most of the b/w pics are from the Daily News, with some slight retouching to eliminate lines, blurry text etc.

Previously posted on this board, but worth another post. Rarely seen angle (and one of my favorite YS shots)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3091/2712824378_b741730a58_o.jpg

This image needs to be flipped. We are looking at the third base dugout in this photo. Notice the shadows; the way Yankee Stadium is configured, those shadows are impossible. I would flip it myself, but I don't have the software on this computer.

[alpineinc]

Reversed.

48597

[alpineinc]

Here are the pictures that Gehrig27 found from the New York Public Library a while back. Using the pan and zoom I was able to create larger images to get a better look. These are 1924, 1926, 1935, 1941.

48608

48609

48610

48611

[alpineinc]

Don't know if this has been here before - 1927 WS, Game 1

http://images.nypl.org/?id=405503&t=w

[cgcoyne2]

This image needs to be flipped. We are looking at the third base dugout in this photo. Notice the shadows; the way Yankee Stadium is configured, those shadows are impossible. I would flip it myself, but I don't have the software on this computer.

The number on the player's back is reversed also. Great catch!!

[NYFan1stYankFan2nd]

This image needs to be flipped. We are looking at the third base dugout in this photo. Notice the shadows; the way Yankee Stadium is configured, those shadows are impossible. I would flip it myself, but I don't have the software on this computer.

Just a quick question - and a general one at that - HOW do photos get flipped, especially in books which are supposedly authored by experts on a subject. I see this also in papers & magazines. I'm not in that trade, but is it easier to print it backwards than not?

Just curious.

And nice photograph - flipped or not! I know that you weren't the original flipper here! :)

[Greg B.]

Here are the pictures that Gehrig27 found from the New York Public Library a while back. Using the pan and zoom I was able to create larger images to get a better look. These are 1924, 1926, 1935, 1941.

48608

48609

48610

48611

Wow... the changes in the area in a period of 15 years or so are remarkable. Great photos.

[Lpeters199]

...from History of the AFL. Did an AFL team ever play a game at Yankee Stadium, or is this just a random crowd shot?

48628

[Lpeters199]

48648

48649

48650

48651

[jimm11756a]

these diagrams come from a booklet called "stubs" published in 1960.

[NYFan1stYankFan2nd]

these diagrams come from a booklet called "stubs" published in 1960.

Nice. I can see my section 17 Upper "Stand" where we sat on July 29, 2006.

We sat above the post-1976 vomitorium but still below the old roofline.

[CHiller]

Some shots of the Frieze under construction from the "Baseball's Cathedral" DVD. Interesting footage, but they use Tony Morante's line about "turned metal", which we all know has been proven false. It was in fact copper.

I'm interested in how you know that it was in fact copper. I've seen reference to it being made of something called "Toncan Metal" elsewhere in this thread. I googled Tocan Metal, and it was a brand name for a form of galvinized steel. One of the pictures above show workers painting the frieze. I'm wondering why they would go through the trouble of painting copper, which develops a beautiful patina if left untreated?

[jerseyyankeefan]

these diagrams come from a booklet called "stubs" published in 1960.

Is that why left field was so deep -- to accomodate football and maybe a running track?

[Yankees73]

Is that why left field was so deep -- to accomodate football and maybe a running track?
I heard bicycle racing was a reason. It was supposedly a huge sport during the early part of the century but I'm not sure. Any comments on that good people?

[Gary Dunaier]

Here's a 1929 photo of right field with Babe Ruth on duty...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2044/2271071178_63a171145d_o.jpg

This photo has previously appeared in the Baseball Fever, but since there's no "central repository" or index as to what photos are where, that photo of Mickey Mantle in the field (post #1595) prompted me to re-post this one.

And yes, the apartment building in the background - 825 Gerard Avenue - still stands, and can be seen from within the present facility.

[RichieA13]

these diagrams come from a booklet called "stubs" published in 1960.

THANK YOU, Jimm for locating & posting the pre-1973 seating chart for me! I owe you one!
- Richie

[TJH1923]

I'm interested in how you know that it was in fact copper. I've seen reference to it being made of something called "Toncan Metal" elsewhere in this thread. I googled Tocan Metal, and it was a brand name for a form of galvinized steel. One of the pictures above show workers painting the frieze. I'm wondering why they would go through the trouble of painting copper, which develops a beautiful patina if left untreated?


http://baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=74744

There is some conflicting information in regards to the frieze. The above thread has some interesting posts.

[spiderico]

I'm interested in how you know that it was in fact copper. I've seen reference to it being made of something called "Toncan Metal" elsewhere in this thread. I googled Tocan Metal, and it was a brand name for a form of galvinized steel. One of the pictures above show workers painting the frieze. I'm wondering why they would go through the trouble of painting copper, which develops a beautiful patina if left untreated?

Theres an entire thread dedicated to the frieze, with tons of great info:

http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=74744

But of all the stories and theories, this piece of evidence is pretty strong proof:

http://www.baseball-fever.com/showpost.php?p=1133980&postcount=5

[efin98]

Thought this might be worth something to you folks, some shots of the last game before the massive renovation...
http://www.thejoekorner.com/yankee-stadium/

[Gary Dunaier]

Those are some great photos! I hope he's got more...

[brooklyndodger14]

Those are some great photos! I hope he's got more...

Yup! Me too. Great to see images of that last game.

This stands as a reminder that all YS fans who are able to photograph everything worth shooting at while they're attending the games to DO SO, no matter how seemingly trivial or mundane, because once the Stadium is closed and demolished, THAT'S IT!!

The only things we will be able to share from that point onwards are our memories and these pictures...

Dennis
BrooklynDodger14

[efin98]

Those are some great photos! I hope he's got more...

Those are the only sports shots he has on his site so far, he's mainly a train photographer...possible he has some old time shots from the train station(s) but that's about it.

[Lpeters199]

Has anyone seen a home run hit into the middle deck? Was it even possible? How about a foul ball? It seems very unlikely, since the third deck hung over it so far.

[locke40]

Has anyone seen a home run hit into the middle deck? Was it even possible? How about a foul ball? It seems very unlikely, since the third deck hung over it so far.

Yes, I was at a game this season when Jorge Posada hit a homerun in the right field mezzanine. It was obviously a line drive.

I am watching the Yankees vs. Rangers game right now, and Cano just hit a homerun in the right field upper deck, almost hitting the support column out there. It got me thinking, do you think or know of anyone ever hitting a support column in Old Yankee Stadium?

[Greg B.]

Thought this might be worth something to you folks, some shots of the last game before the massive renovation...
http://www.thejoekorner.com/yankee-stadium/

I love this photo from the site (apologies to the owner for uploading it here). It shows in a way that is better than most I've seen how the monuments were in play in deep center field. Remarkable.

[Lpeters199]

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

[RichieA13]

I love this photo from the site (apologies to the owner for uploading it here). It shows in a way that is better than most I've seen how the monuments were in play in deep center field. Remarkable.

Looks to me like the Yankees were afraid of the brass plates being stolen from the monuments after the game! The granite "headstones" are bare in this photo, as well as the one that hung on the wall in CF! You can CLEARLY see the spot on the wall where the monument used to hang ..... it's the non black rectangular box in this photo. Interesting!

[SteveJRogers]

Looks to me like the Yankees were afraid of the brass plates being stolen from the monuments after the game! The granite "headstones" are bare in this photo, as well as the one that hung on the wall in CF! You can CLEARLY see the spot on the wall where the monument used to hang ..... it's the non black rectangular box in this photo. Interesting!

I doubt that will happen this year, well for one Monument Park is not in play, and second I don't think they'll let fans roam the field during the final game at the stadium.

[the stadium guy]

Looks to me like the Yankees were afraid of the brass plates being stolen from the monuments after the game! The granite "headstones" are bare in this photo, as well as the one that hung on the wall in CF! You can CLEARLY see the spot on the wall where the monument used to hang ..... it's the non black rectangular box in this photo. Interesting!
The plaques were pulled about a week or so prior to the final game for those exact reasons.

Peace,
Brad

[Gary Dunaier]

"Security" will be so tight at Yankee Stadium during the final regular season game that the Secret Service will be sending representatives to take notes. :shhh:

[BomberFan]

Hey All -

Many kudos on a great thread with some great posts, pics, and awesome memories of a truly grand and historic ballpark. I grew up in The Bronx (about 40 blocks North up the Grand Concourse). I attended many games as a kid in the original Stadium - and have many memories of driving down the Concourse to manhattan and catching glimpses of the freize looking down 161st street from Lou Gherig Plaza (that's the intersection of 161 and the Concourse) - like the distant spires of an historic church.

Just love the pics of the last game in 1973 (I was there in section 16 in the upper deck) - I remember someone coming along and removing the Sec. 16 sign from the pillar behind us - the signs were magnetic and i was ver upset that I missed out on that "find".....the pic of the guys taking one of those signs really made me smile about that game so long ago...). Was at the '73 OT day - which was great - still have the souvenir program and poster - and I may just go home and listen to the record they gave out at the last game....at the time, I thought it was an awseome treasure-trove!

Very interesting details about just how much of the stadium is still under the "70's show" the stadium became...there's a lot more of the old ballpark there than we realize. Those who say the old stadium is long gone and we should not be too sad are mistaken.

I'm not the biggest fan of the renovation - I remember looking at the renderings in the '72 yearbook and in other places and thinking about how different it would be. It's funny - but I remember reading somewhere that the "frieze" was added over the OF back wall as an "afterthought" - and it's become the iconic symbol of the grandest ballpark of all. The owners and designers of the time didn't realize what they had....and now we're building a new ballpark to recapture it.

I wish I had been able to see the great teams of the 50's and sixties - I remember seeing mantle at the end of his career, in 68 and 69 (I was 7 and 8) and just being thrilled to be stepping in to such and historic place. I looked at Ron Woods and saw Maris, Stottlemyer was Whitey Ford, and I could see Richardson and Kubek where Horace Clarke and Gene Michael stood - it was a baseball history book some to life.

I'd had some mixed emotions about the new park - was at OT day last weekend and looked wistfully out from the escalator tower in the old visitors' bullpen - I have to say that in spite of how comfortable the new park may be, and how many more recreated details from the original it will have, it will never be even close to looking at the vista that was the backdrop to the greatest franchise in all of sports. No "cantilevered renovation" has been able to hide the history - and it will be hard to watch the stadium come down.

Gonna be tough.

[stadiumbuilder]

Very well said, bomber fan. I was at that last game also. There was a kid out in right field after the game cutting up pieces of the gray wall near the 344 mark, I didn't know him but asked for a piece and he graciously cut one off for me. I got a boxplate, part of a seat, centerfield sod and my ticketsub from that day, but I can't find that piece of right field wall. I also remember seeing a guy carrying an ENTIRE section of that right field wall towards the subway and into oblivion. I thought it seemed risky, like he was going to get stopped, but as far as I could tell, he made off with it. I'd sure like to know where that thing is today!

[BomberFan]

I got a seat bottom; I couldn't believe the tools that people brought in that day - they would have been great agents for Steiner Sports! I am curious to see what people try to get away with this year, and how stringent security will be....

As I recall, there were rumours that you could go down to the site and help yourself to all manner of seats and fixtures, though I don't remember ever going down to see if it were true....wish I had.

Funny, I read on here that attendance that day was 32K (I should check retrosheet), but I remember a very sparse crowd - booing Ralph Houk and watching a season of diappointment. I thought those Yankees were a team poised for a run that year, Murcer had a great year in '72, Lyle was awesome, but we collapsed.

Curious to see how many fans my age in that era went to Shea to see the Yanks - I think I went to 4 or 5 games each of the next two years - was definately not the same!

Much of what we thought of the renovated yankee stadium had to do with the context of the times, and i think we forget that. After two years of playing in Flushing, the renovated Yankee Stadium was more home - no matter what it looked like....

Still, in the end, I dearly wish they had taken the current ballpark and "restored/renovated" it - there is something about the outfield vista that has been a constant all these years - things won't "look right" for awhile I suspect.

If you ever listen to games on radio, you probably "picture" the game in your head as you listen - and it will be interesting to see how long it takes me to adjust that "inner video" to reflect the surroundings of the new YS.

Here's a question I've not seenn raised - will anyone miss "The Bat" by gate 4? It's become somewhat iconic itself - I always thought it looked silly - and still do.....seemed like a gimmick and still does......

And another (sorry for the length here) - but does anyone know what will happen to the streets that surround YS? Will "Babe Ruth Plaza" be "renovated" or better marked? (That's 161st Street between river ave. to the bridge -) - How about Lou gherig Plaza up on the Concourse? (there's a bronze (I think) sign at the top of the overpass but not much else....also will "Ruppert Place" retain its name?

Gonna be tough to walk out of Stan's before a game and walk a block.....

[stadiumbuilder]

I vowed not to go to shea for the entire two years, but broke down in April of75 and froze in the wind. I won't miss the baseball smoke stack, never took a second glance at it. Instead of going to Yankeee games in 74, I went to the Stadium and took renovation photos several times. Maybe someday if I figure out how and find the time, I'll post some.

[Gary Dunaier]

I got a seat bottom; I couldn't believe the tools that people brought in that day . . . . . As I recall, there were rumours that you could go down to the site and help yourself to all manner of seats and fixtures, though I don't remember ever going down to see if it were true....wish I had.

Times were different back then. Ownership was probably grateful for the help, because it meant fewer items they'd have to pay to get rid of!!!!!

Gonna be tough to walk out of Stan's before a game and walk a block.....

I wonder how it's going to be for all of the businesses on River between 157th and 161st. Stan's must be confident they're going to do okay, because just prior to the All-Star Game they put up a new sign on their store... not only is it illuminated, but the letters individually flash on and off...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3145/2716494634_26b9fdf950.jpg?v=0 http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3122/2715682639_ccccba3780.jpg?v=0
(Photos taken July 29, 2008. © Gary Dunaier.
Links to upload on Flickr.com: left photo (http://flickr.com/photos/14504460@N02/2716494634/in/set-72157606451761653/) and right photo (http://flickr.com/photos/14504460@N02/2715682639/in/set-72157606451761653/).)

Stan's must feel good about their prospects if they went ahead and made this kind of an investment.

[Lpeters199]

Even if this is a repost, it's still worth a look.

48884

[locke40]

These are from the same collection, posted many many pages ago.

48897

48899

[RichieA13]

Hey All -

Many kudos on a great thread with some great posts, pics, and awesome memories of a truly grand and historic ballpark. I grew up in The Bronx (about 40 blocks North up the Grand Concourse). I attended many games as a kid in the original Stadium - and have many memories of driving down the Concourse to manhattan and catching glimpses of the freize looking down 161st street from Lou Gherig Plaza (that's the intersection of 161 and the Concourse) - like the distant spires of an historic church.

Just love the pics of the last game in 1973 (I was there in section 16 in the upper deck) - I remember someone coming along and removing the Sec. 16 sign from the pillar behind us - the signs were magnetic and i was ver upset that I missed out on that "find".....the pic of the guys taking one of those signs really made me smile about that game so long ago...). Was at the '73 OT day - which was great - still have the souvenir program and poster - and I may just go home and listen to the record they gave out at the last game....at the time, I thought it was an awseome treasure-trove!

Very interesting details about just how much of the stadium is still under the "70's show" the stadium became...there's a lot more of the old ballpark there than we realize. Those who say the old stadium is long gone and we should not be too sad are mistaken.

I'm not the biggest fan of the renovation - I remember looking at the renderings in the '72 yearbook and in other places and thinking about how different it would be. It's funny - but I remember reading somewhere that the "frieze" was added over the OF back wall as an "afterthought" - and it's become the iconic symbol of the grandest ballpark of all. The owners and designers of the time didn't realize what they had....and now we're building a new ballpark to recapture it.

I wish I had been able to see the great teams of the 50's and sixties - I remember seeing mantle at the end of his career, in 68 and 69 (I was 7 and 8) and just being thrilled to be stepping in to such and historic place. I looked at Ron Woods and saw Maris, Stottlemyer was Whitey Ford, and I could see Richardson and Kubek where Horace Clarke and Gene Michael stood - it was a baseball history book some to life.

I'd had some mixed emotions about the new park - was at OT day last weekend and looked wistfully out from the escalator tower in the old visitors' bullpen - I have to say that in spite of how comfortable the new park may be, and how many more recreated details from the original it will have, it will never be even close to looking at the vista that was the backdrop to the greatest franchise in all of sports. No "cantilevered renovation" has been able to hide the history - and it will be hard to watch the stadium come down.

Gonna be tough.

Thought you'd enjoy this column sign from my personal collection .....

[BomberFan]

OK, wrong side of the field....

That looks like it was attached withs crews; I could swear that the sign in the upper deck, which was not that large, came off quickly like it was magnetized - i could be wrong, as i was was 12 at the time....but I remember it so clearly.....

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

Even if this is a repost, it's still worth a look.

48884

I love this photo. It looks like it was built in the middle of Kansas, not Bronx NY. Looking at the RF corner, it leads me to wonder where the gap is in the renovated stadium where it is still possible to hit a ball out to the street. Recent legend has it Bernie did it once in the '90's during batting practice.

Just looking at this photo shows how much the stadium had changed by the time of the '73 renovations.

[cgcoyne2]

I love this photo. It looks like it was built in the middle of Kansas, not Bronx NY. Looking at the RF corner, it leads me to wonder where the gap is in the renovated stadium where it is still possible to hit a ball out to the street. Recent legend has it Bernie did it once in the '90's during batting practice.

Just looking at this photo shows how much the stadium had changed by the time of the '73 renovations.


I would think it would be around here. Not exact of course, but probably pretty close.

[RichieA13]

OK, wrong side of the field....

That looks like it was attached withs crews; I could swear that the sign in the upper deck, which was not that large, came off quickly like it was magnetized - i could be wrong, as i was was 12 at the time....but I remember it so clearly.....

This sign was attached by bolts/screws. If you look back at the guy removing the Section 23 sign .... it' looks like he's bending it during the removal process. So that sign also looked to be bolted to the column. That's not to say they all were .... but at least some of them were. This sign is only about 13" square.

[spiderico]

I vowed not to go to shea for the entire two years, but broke down in April of75 and froze in the wind. I won't miss the baseball smoke stack, never took a second glance at it. Instead of going to Yankeee games in 74, I went to the Stadium and took renovation photos several times. Maybe someday if I figure out how and find the time, I'll post some.

PLEASE!!! Find the time and have someone help you with the scanner :)

Good renovation shots are few and far between. I'm sure I'm not the only one out there who would love to see more, expecially "unofficial" ones taken by a fan.

You'll be making a lot of people very happy!

[Gary Dunaier]

Yes indeed, you'll be performing a great public service!

[stadiumbuilder]

Work has been so busy its hard to find the time, but I will. Aside from outside shots, the only angle I was able to get on any of my trips was from the old visitors bullpen, so there's no variety of vantage point, but I did try to get every shot imaginable with the limited range. I also have snapshots from the last game in the old and first one in the new stadium, including Rudy May firing the very first pitch in the new stadium! I enjoyed my time checking the construction progress more thah I did watching them play at shea and and counted down every day of those long 2 1/2 years.

[lollar]

The best "Old Yankee Stadium" story I heard was from my great uncle when he saw Satchel Paige pitch there in 1942. My uncle was getting ready to go overseas for WWII and happened to be in town with some military buddies. They got tickets to a Negro League game (it may have been some kind of exhibition...dont remember). This was around the time Paige tore up his arm and lost his great fastball, but at this point he still had it.

My uncle was sitting in the left field bleachers. He couldn't see the ball when Paige threw. He and his friends went around the stadium near home plate and noticed he was in fact throwing it. My uncle thought the only pitchers he saw in his lifetime with that kind of speed were Bob Feller and Van Lingle Mungo.

[Lpeters199]

Not too high, not too low--an ideal level to view the field.

49016

[BomberFan]

Was always a great place to sit - in the shade, out of the rain - in the old ballpark it had greater seating capacity than the "lodge level" of the renovated stadium.

Still a good vantage point - and funny, but i don't ever remember the "obstructed views" being a problem.....that was one of the great features of the renovation - eliminating the pillars -but really, was it that big a deal???

[Lpeters199]

I've always liked this better than the centerfield camera. Upper deck cameras in other parks were too high, but this perfect angle was unique to Yankee Stadium and nowhere else.

49023

[Greg B.]

I've always liked this better than the centerfield camera. Upper deck cameras in other parks were too high, but this perfect angle was unique to Yankee Stadium and nowhere else.

49023

Didn't Tiger Stadium offer a similar vantage point for the TV cameras? When I first saw this photo that was the first thing I thouight of.

[Lpeters199]

Didn't Tiger Stadium offer a similar vantage point for the TV cameras? When I first saw this photo that was the first thing I thouight of.
Tiger Stadium's behind-the-plate camera was in the first row of the upper deck, higher than Yankee Stadium's, unless extra cameras were installed for World Series or All-Star games.

[compaq]

The renovated version
one of the worst renovations of all-time. it turn a great classic to a concrete disaster.

[mrakbaseball]

one of the worst renovations of all-time. it turn a great classic to a concrete disaster.

Yeah, it only extended Yankee Stadium's lifespan another 35 years. The alternative was the New Jersey Meadowlands Yankees.

[IPO]

Yeah, it only extended Yankee Stadium's lifespan another 35 years. The alternative was the New Jersey Meadowlands Yankees.

The alternative also could have been to come up with a renovation that respected how amazing the first park was. Nothing Lindsay did was going to satisfy Steinbrenner for long.

Was it that big a deal to raise the portals and add seven rows with that ugly roof that hangs over the outside now or to put in those brutal elevator towers or knock out the beams?

They could have redone the corridors in the offseason.

[cgcoyne2]

The alternative also could have been to come up with a renovation that respected how amazing the first park was. Nothing Lindsay did was going to satisfy Steinbrenner for long.


I believe Lindsay's agreement was with Michael Burk and CBS, NOT STEINBRENNER!!!!!

[kobathecat]

The alternative also could have been to come up with a renovation that respected how amazing the first park was. Nothing Lindsay did was going to satisfy Steinbrenner for long.

Was it that big a deal to raise the portals and add seven rows with that ugly roof that hangs over the outside now or to put in those brutal elevator towers or knock out the beams?

They could have redone the corridors in the offseason.

Steinbrenner had nothing to do with the renovations as he did not even own the team yet. Renovated Yankee Stadium is hardly ugly even though it lost some of its' beauty from the renovations. CBS owned team was threatening to move to Jersey at the time, and you are lucky this thread isn't the equivalent of the Ebbetts Field thread, complete with 20 story drug-infested tenement Babe Ruth Legacy Apartments on the current site.

[TJH1923]

I believe Lindsay's agreement was with Michael Burk and CBS, NOT STEINBRENNER!!!!!

Correct! People tend to blame Steinbrenner too easily. There are times he should have buttoned his lips and I often disagreed with some of his methods, but overall he has done tremendous job with the Yankee franchise.

[TJH1923]

Yeah, it only extended Yankee Stadium's lifespan another 35 years. The alternative was the New Jersey Meadowlands Yankees.


Not only were they considering NJ, they also considered Dallas and New Orleans (pre Steinbrenner). People have to remember that not only was the Stadium in need of a face lift but the neighborhood needed one as well. People just plain old forget how bad that neighborhood was and at times can still be. The Dodgers and the Giants saw their neighborhoods deteriorating rapidly and made their moves accordingly. The environment did not considerably improve until the mid 1990's. Once the attendance went over 3 million fans, Steinbrenners's options shrunk quickly. The city committed resources (police) on game days, fans felt safe and attendance continued to flourish. As far as the renovation itself, well at the time the "classic retro" ballpark was not yet in vogue. Compared to the rest of the neighborhood the renovated stadium was a shinny penny and was thought to be the beginning of an urban renewal period. The city's finances went into the toilet and minimal investment was made to the area.

[kobathecat]

They would have had to change the name!!! OMG, I might have grown up to be a Mets or Red Sox Fan! I'd rather have been born a woman!

[RoastedPeanut]

http://www.surfthechannel.com/info/sports/Baseball/77587/1952+World+Series+Baseball+MLB.html?aid=90972

This can fit here as well..

[RoastedPeanut]

This follows suit as well..

http://www.surfthechannel.com/info/sports/Baseball/77586/1960+World+Series+Baseball.html?aid=90971

[Greg B.]

Tiger Stadium's behind-the-plate camera was in the first row of the upper deck, higher than Yankee Stadium's, unless extra cameras were installed for World Series or All-Star games.


Tonight I'm watching the Red Sox/White Sox game from US Cellular, and they went to a similar low-angle behind the plate camera for a while. I have never seen that shot before but it looks very much like the old YS angle.

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

Post card shot..maybe early '60's before the CBS whitewash
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3105/2745810868_2c39556d6f_o.jpg

Osborn roof plans
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3224/2745013687_89c0cedc4e_o.jpg

Mural on wall across from the stadium
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3187/2479588432_bea61cdc8c_b.jpg

[Lpeters199]

Tonight I'm watching the Red Sox/White Sox game from US Cellular, and they went to a similar low-angle behind the plate camera for a while. I have never seen that shot before but it looks very much like the old YS angle.
Glad to hear someone's using an alternative to the standard centerfield view. I remember seeing a seldom-used view from a Shea Stadium camera at field level behind the plate (many years ago). You could clearly see Tom Seaver's wicked slider tail right off the end of hitters' bats. The centerfield camera gives the false impression that hitting is easy. It's not.

[TJH1923]

Great shot posted by Yankeeman61 on the http://forums.nyyfans.com/showthread.php?t=92139&page=2 forum. The frieze looks so vivid in this photo. It looks like it was scanned from a book on two pages and stitched together. It still looks awesome!

[Urbanshocker13]

Do you happen to know what year that is from? The frieze looks awesome, It's great to see it that copper green color!

[TJH1923]

Do you happen to know what year that is from? The frieze looks awesome, It's great to see it that copper green color!

Maris 61st Home Run 1961

[Urbanshocker13]

Maris 61st Home Run 1961

Ok, I couldn't tell if that was Rodger or not, Didn't know that the frieze was still green in 61' thouught they might have painted it white by then.

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

Great shot posted by Yankeeman61 on the http://forums.nyyfans.com/showthread.php?t=92139&page=2 forum. The frieze looks so vivid in this photo. It looks like it was scanned from a book on two pages and stitched together. It still looks awesome!

This was in fact Maris' 61st HR. This was from one of the the Daily News YS supplements. It was on two separate pages, so it had to be photographed at just the right angle to eliminate glare, then photoshopped to eliminate the vertical page line. At a later date, I may try again to eliminate the awkward curves in the decks via scanning the image again. The original scanned image was inferior in quality to the hi-res photo, though the page curve was less prominent, and the contrast was less visible (especially noticable in the sky)

The fact that it was on another forum shows again that baseball-fever is the pre-eminent place on the net to locate baseball related photos. It seems most photos that show up on other forums and sites were originally posted here, or were removed from the internet shadows and given the prominence they deserved at BF. Which is great...the more people who get to see all these old photos, the better.

[DaBigMotor]

Ok, I couldn't tell if that was Rodger or not, Didn't know that the frieze was still green in 61' thouught they might have painted it white by then.Freize was painted white in 1967.

There are photos of the workers painting it on this site.

[lollar]

Lpeters199....where did you get the pic of that camera angle from? Taken from a home video of a game or something?

[Gehrig27]

Lpeters199....where did you get the pic of that camera angle from? Taken from a home video of a game or something?

It looks to be from a clip of Mantle's 500th home run. We had an interesting thread a while back about camera angles at ballparks that it could be added to. http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=77122

[Lpeters199]

It looks to be from a clip of Mantle's 500th home run. We had an interesting thread a while back about camera angles at ballparks that it could be added to. http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=77122
That's right. It's a screen capture from Mickey's 500th, and you can see the video by clicking on this YouTube link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1Y0hKB2dqo

And below is the young fan who ran on the field to pat him on the back:

49260

[SHOELESSJOE3]

That's right. It's a screen capture from Mickey's 500th, and you can see the video by clicking on this YouTube link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1Y0hKB2dqo

And below is the young fan who ran on the field to pat him on the back:

49260

Security on the field sure has changed over the years, unlikely this could happen today, a fan running on to the field to congratulate a player, a pat on the back. Near the end you can see security coming into the scene.

Hard to believe what took place in 1927 at Yankee Stadium, of course the world seemed a bit saner back then.

I927 and Babe hits number 56 at Yankee Stadium. The reason why Ruth carries his bat around the bases, because twice that season after hitting a home run, fans run on to the field and try to steal his bat. As he rounds third base a young boy leaps on to the field meets Ruth at third base. The boy grabs the bat and Ruth runs the last 90 feet and almost to the dugout carrying the bat and the boy, before he lets go of the bat.

[compaq]

http://www.ballparktour.com/Yank-111.jpg original design

[jimmyjimjimz]

That's right. It's a screen capture from Mickey's 500th, and you can see the video by clicking on this YouTube link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1Y0hKB2dqo

And below is the young fan who ran on the field to pat him on the back:

49260

That kid kinda looks like him. Don't you think it might be one of his sons?

[Phillies1883]

Hi guys...... I know I've asked this before..... I would really appreciate all of you searching your vast archives. The attached picture was sent to me long ago, and it is a great shot, but is the left field entrance that was added in 1937 (I think)....... Does anyone have a picture of the original main entrance that is even close to this clarity or closeness? I'd really appreciate any help you all can provide!

Bill

[RichieA13]

Hi guys...... I know I've asked this before..... I would really appreciate all of you searching your vast archives. The attached picture was sent to me long ago, and it is a great shot, but is the left field entrance that was added in 1937 (I think)....... Does anyone have a picture of the original main entrance that is even close to this clarity or closeness? I'd really appreciate any help you all can provide!

Bill

Either of these help, Phillie?

[Mattingly85MVP]

Yankeeography- Yankee Stadium will be on Yes next Wednesday the 20th- 11pm, hope to see some good footage, but it will probably be just a compilation of other yankeeographies and nothing really new.

[Phillies1883]

Thanks..... they are both awesome shots, and appreciate you sharing them with..... I think I'm looking for a moonshot though, 'cause I'd really like to find something closer up, and with similar clarity to the one I posted as an example.... believe me, when the person shared the pic I posted with me, I thought I died and went to heaven.... still, I am really hopeful that there is that one elusive photo looming out there that is an upclose shot of that original main entrance........ If anyone comes across something... please post it for me......... and thanks again for the shots you did post.... they are really great, and appreciated.

Bill

[locke40]

Hi guys...... I know I've asked this before..... I would really appreciate all of you searching your vast archives. The attached picture was sent to me long ago, and it is a great shot, but is the left field entrance that was added in 1937 (I think)....... Does anyone have a picture of the original main entrance that is even close to this clarity or closeness? I'd really appreciate any help you all can provide!

Bill

Are you sure this is the Left Field entrance? It looks to be the main entrance to me.

[Phillies1883]

The problem is I am so anal, that I either have to verify that as a fact, or figure that is the left or right field entrance that was built to look like the original entrance in around 1937....... so..... I've got myself wrapped up in this plight.

What gives you the sense or clue that the picture I posted may very well be the original main entrance?

Thanks!
Bill

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

Hi guys...... I know I've asked this before..... I would really appreciate all of you searching your vast archives. The attached picture was sent to me long ago, and it is a great shot, but is the left field entrance that was added in 1937 (I think)....... Does anyone have a picture of the original main entrance that is even close to this clarity or closeness? I'd really appreciate any help you all can provide!

Bill

This is a front entrance shot during construction in 1923.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3094/2760315173_65056f0a3d_o.jpg

[Phillies1883]

well, that's a great blow up....... it is detailed alright, and I know I'm a pain in the you know what..... but we've got to keep looking 'cause it still doesn't strike me as what I'm looking for, but again...... all of you have my deepest appreciation.... I may not be able to find exactly what I'm looking for.

Bill

[six4three]

What exactly are you looking for?

[Phillies1883]

Scroll up to see the upclose color picture I posted.... I would really like to find a picture of the original main gate of original Yankee Stadium that is as upclose and hopefully as clear as the color pic I posted..... I know I many be asking for too much... but I'd like to try...... the one I posted, while it is really what I was looking for, may be the left or right field entrance that was built in 1937 as a replica of the original main gate. I'm looking for the main original entrance, up close and personal..... any help you can give will be appreciated.

[six4three]

But why?

Are you building a model? Trying to answer a specific question? On a scavenger hunt? :D

[Paul W]

i've been trying to upload several .jpg pix that are less than 300k and they won't take. the file names are one word without any #'s or punctuation.
anybody know any "secrets" on how to get pix uploaded without blowing the better part of an hour?

[Phillies1883]

Try using the post reply... it'll allow you to quickly browse for and attach files and upload them.

[Phillies1883]

But why? Are you building a model? Trying to answer a specific question? On a scavenger hunt?

On a scavenger hunt! :)

[Paul W]

Some pix taken @ 1956 Old-Timers Day, you can see the original color of the facade, the underside of the upper deck and pennants hung on the facade. sorry these arent mint but the film wasn't taken care of over the years... 1. davie jones 2. dell webb 3. frank baker 4. '56 series/ spahn & haney 5. dizzy trout

[locke40]

Some pix taken @ 1956 Old-Timers Day, you can see the original color of the facade, the underside of the upper deck and pennants hung on the facade. sorry these arent mint but the film wasn't taken care of over the years... 1. davie jones 2. dell webb 3. frank baker 4. '56 series/ spahn & haney 5. dizzy trout

Man oh man, how I wish this stadium was still around.

[Lpeters199]

Ol' Diz was a colorful announcer.

49645

[Lpeters199]

Man oh man, how I wish this stadium was still around.
So do I. On my one trip there--age 14 in 1960--I felt like I was walking into the inside of baseball's heart, majestic and historic everywhere you looked. Don't feel too badly that the original is gone, because people on this thread have done a fantastic job of recreating exactly what it was like to be there.

[Paul W]

a few more pix from '56 and a clipping from the old westchester reporter dispatch newspaper about the "poles" in the old stadium (not sure about the last name).

[Paul W]

the media areas at the old stadium hung off the front of the mezzanine level.
folks in the 1st row could have some access to the guys working there, another world from the present day...
clockwise l-r 1. '56 red barber/mel allen between right cam and operator 2. phil rizzuto/red barber 3. mel allen 4. (from top) mel allen behind cam guys/frank farrell in front of cam/jim woods
the newspaper guys were on the 3rd base sie of this booth, on the other side of the tv sponsor wall...

[History Of Baseball Fan]

Some pix taken @ 1956 Old-Timers Day, you can see the original color of the facade, the underside of the upper deck and pennants hung on the facade. sorry these arent mint but the film wasn't taken care of over the years... 1. davie jones 2. dell webb 3. frank baker 4. '56 series/ spahn & haney 5. dizzy trout


I'm wondering if that uniform Davie Jones is wearing is one from 1910-ish when he played for Detroit lol. There aren't too many of them around if its original !

[Paul W]

I'm wondering if that uniform Davie Jones is wearing is one from 1910-ish when he played for Detroit lol. There aren't too many of them around if its original !

good chance it was...

[Lpeters199]

Only at old Yankee Stadium!

[Paul W]

those kids enjoying themselves right behind the writers at the stadium.
THEN AND NOW!

[alpineinc]

GREAT stuff! Always love the old b/w media/announcer pics.

[Lpeters199]

From 1958:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=no-KXNqmjwo

[Milwaukee County Stadium]

If anyone has any different photographs of the old Yankee Stadium please post them.
Is It Just Me But Does This Photo Of Pre Renovated Yankee Stadium look like US Cellular Field?

[Paul W]

from the previous youtube clip, a few interesting polo grounds observations;
the infield is still intact - no football at all in fall of '57 (college etc.)?
what is the sign with large lettering in front of the clubhouses in cf?

[alpineinc]

Well, as you may have seen, I've stumbled upon WFAN update guy Mike McCann's blog (http://mikemccann.blogspot.com/), surprisingly chock full of great classic ballpark pics taken by himself and friends. I've already uploaded great old shots of Shea and the Astrodome, and now for your viewing pleasure, Yankee Stadium, August 7th, 1968. Doubleheader with the A's, Stottlemyre complete game shutout in Game 1, 3-0, A's take the nightcap 4-3 in 10.

Yep, the Mick at first. Plenty of seats available (travesty).

50005

50006

50007


More...

[alpineinc]

8.7.68 continued...

Oh no! Rain delay...
50008

Blustery!
50009

50010

As the skies clear, Yanks announcer Jerry Coleman chats with Lindy McDaniel
50011

50012

[trueblue9441]

are there any color pictures out there of a night game at the pre renovated stadium?

[jaycee]

look at the first post in this thread

[TJH1923]

Well, as you may have seen, I've stumbled upon WFAN update guy Mike McCann's blog (http://mikemccann.blogspot.com/), surprisingly chock full of great classic ballpark pics taken by himself and friends. I've already uploaded great old shots of Shea and the Astrodome, and now for your viewing pleasure, Yankee Stadium, August 7th, 1968. Doubleheader with the A's, Stottlemyre complete game shutout in Game 1, 3-0, A's take the nightcap 4-3 in 10.

Yep, the Mick at first. Plenty of seats available (travesty).

50005

50006

50007

More...

It is great to see some new material nice find.

[trueblue9441]

no no no i mean when its dark out not like 7 oclock

[locke40]

Notice anything about the picture of Matt Murphy currently on espn.com?

50037

[alpineinc]

Notice anything about the picture of Matt Murphy currently on espn.com?


Traded the ball for a time machine. That or some Cooperstown backdrop?

[alpineinc]

Anyone have any ideas about the rain delay free-for-all on the field in '68?? And those aren't fans filing out quietly after the games were over.

Having field access today for those would really be a kick, wouldn't it.

http://baseball-fever.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=50010&d=1218923053

[J.R.]

Anyone have any ideas about the rain delay free-for-all on the field in '68?? And those aren't fans filing out quietly after the games were over.

Having field access today for those would really be a kick, wouldn't it.

http://baseball-fever.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=50010&d=1218923053

Only 30/40 years before you still had fans sitting on the outfield grass at some parks, so I imagine this wasn't such a big deal.

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

^Great pic. Looking at the photo, it makes me wonder how any renovation plans could not have kept the frieze in it's original position, since it so defined the stadium. Even a replica of the original would have been fine if a restored original was not feasible. The new outfield frieze was and still is a poor substitute. All Cubs fans know Steve Bartman; why don't Yankee fans (& fans of the original stadium) know the name(s) of the person who came up with the design for the renovated YS, as well as the one who ultimately approved that design. On the last day of YS (Sept 21?), they should be hung in effigy from the upper deck.

Giants-Browns
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3243/2771028337_f63a49c998_o.jpg

Mantle & RFK
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3112/2771871876_aa554bfd07_o.jpg

1923
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3246/2771868372_d99ac8cfb4_o.jpg

This photo from the mid 20's is weird. The frieze at the top appears to have been drawn. Possibly a damaged photo that was photoshopped by hand?
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3083/2771863640_80253937bd_o.jpg

Larger size of a pics that may have been previously posted.

June 1973.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3198/2771026011_f8ab31aed5_o.jpg

First night game 1946
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3130/2771012201_bc4ee31bf1_o.jpg

[shaneslatts]

Anyone have any ideas about the rain delay free-for-all on the field in '68?? And those aren't fans filing out quietly after the games were over.

Having field access today for those would really be a kick, wouldn't it.

http://baseball-fever.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=50010&d=1218923053

I remember watching that game on TV. The wind was blowing so bad, the grounds crew could not control the tarp, the thing looked like an out of contol macys thankgiving day baloon. So fans ran out on the field and "helped" the grounds crew....At first the grounds crew was looking at these people like..."wha?"...But then they got the tarp down and all was ok...This was in the day when if they had a rain delay, all us kids would get to sit and watch scooter come out with lines like"holy cow, that tarp is all over the place..."Holy Cow, I hope those kids helping dont get hurt out there" Sometimes during a rain delay, Scooter would show kids on TV the proper way to hold a bat for a bunt, or he would interview Whitey Ford or someone else, it was always entertaining....
Man, I miss being 11 and listening to scooter :cry:

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

I remember watching that game on TV. The wind was blowing so bad, the grounds crew could not control the tarp, the thing looked like an out of contol macys thankgiving day baloon. So fans ran out on the field and "helped" the grounds crew....At first the grounds crew was looking at these people like..."wha?"...But then they got the tarp down and all was ok...This was in the day when if they had a rain delay, all us kids would get to sit and watch scooter come out with lines like"holy cow, that tarp is all over the place..."Holy Cow, I hope those kids helping dont get hurt out there" Sometimes during a rain delay, Scooter would show kids on TV the proper way to hold a bat for a bunt, or he would interview Whitey Ford or someone else, it was always entertaining....
Man, I miss being 11 and listening to scooter :cry:

Imagine if the fans"helped" out today. The security goons and the police would "help" them into the police van.

[alpineinc]

Looking at the photo, it makes me wonder how any renovation plans could not have kept the frieze in it's original position, since it so defined the stadium. Even a replica of the original would have been fine if a restored original was not feasible. The new outfield frieze was and still is a poor substitute. All Cubs fans know Steve Bartman; why don't Yankee fans (& fans of the original stadium) know the name(s) of the person who came up with the design for the renovated YS, as well as the one who ultimately approved that design. On the last day of YS (Sept 21?), they should be hung in effigy from the upper deck.



Perry Green was the architect of the YS renovation - he's interviewed in the Shirley Povich article I posted in the YS 73-75 thread, and has some interesting things to say in this article from 10/73, including taking a shot at old Shea! Also, the demolition companies are mentioned, if anyone needs to exact revenge, lol.

50050

[locke40]

The old frieze was truly a work of art. The placement, being so close to the field, was the most important part; the detail and color were also breathtaking.

Probably from the same day:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3112/2771871876_aa554bfd07_o.jpg

http://www.thesportgallery.com/products/mantle-rfk550water.jpg

[brooklyndodger14]

The old frieze was truly a work of art. The placement, being so close to the field, was the most important part; the detail and color were also breathtaking.

Probably from the same day:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3112/2771871876_aa554bfd07_o.jpg

http://www.thesportgallery.com/products/mantle-rfk550water.jpg

Those are from the first Mickey Mantle Day held on September 18th, 1965. More people would be familiar with the June 8th, 1969 Mickey Mantle Day where his number 7 was retired, but this was the original.

Dennis
BrooklynDodger14

[Lpeters199]

Search "stadium" on this site for some nice old clips--in color. Also search "new york yankees" and "baseball" for more great old film clips.


http://www.mrfootage.com/

[ruthianpower328]

I thought this was cool, if only Yankee Stadium wasn't renovated in the 70's, we'd have baseball cards with Johnny Damon in the old place, I thought it looked cool.

[Yankees73]

those kids enjoying themselves right behind the writers at the stadium.
THEN AND NOW! What happened to that plaque below where those kids are sitting?

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

Mickey Mantle Day in 1969, I assume.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3175/2771013017_bd5eb7ee2e_o.jpg

[Lpeters199]

Mickey Mantle Day in 1969, I assume.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3175/2771013017_bd5eb7ee2e_o.jpg
The batter's eye was down for this game. What determined when they used it and when they didn't? It looks dangerous for the hitters looking into all those white shirts.

[David Atkatz]

The batter's eye was down for this game. What determined when they used it and when they didn't? It looks dangerous for the hitters looking into all those white shirts.

Mickey Mantle Day 1969 was a sellout. Standing room only. (I know. I was there, with a standing room ticket.)

The Yankees were not going to give up all those nice salable bleacher seats.

[tugger]

I love the text in the article on post #1696 that talks a out the "$27.9 million renovation" of YS. That final number was a criminal $160 million. Not quite the "neighborhood play."

Also, before you call attendance at a 1968 Yankees game a "travesty," consider that 68 was (and probably remains) America's hardest year since the Civil War. Vietnam, Tet, RFK, MLK, riots, Nixon. People had other things on their minds than baseball, which was itself in a period of decline.

Yanks (82-80) still drew 1,185,666 that year, 3rd in the AL.

[tugger]

This photo from the mid 20's is weird. The frieze at the top appears to have been drawn. Possibly a damaged photo that was photoshopped by hand?
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3083/2771863640_80253937bd_o.jpg


Sometimes at work (Plain Dealer sports layout) I use images file images from the 10s and 20s. Sometimes I'll have to take a player image that was cut out by hand and pasted up close to 100 years ago, scan in the image, then cut it out again in Photoshop. One step forward, two steps back.

[Lpeters199]

Freeloaders.


50331

[stadiumbuilder]

I love the text in the article on post #1696 that talks a out the "$27.9 million renovation" of YS. That final number was a criminal $160 million. Not quite the "neighborhood play."

Also, before you call attendance at a 1968 Yankees game a "travesty," consider that 68 was (and probably remains) America's hardest year since the Civil War. Vietnam, Tet, RFK, MLK, riots, Nixon. People had other things on their minds than baseball, which was itself in a period of decline.

Yanks (82-80) still drew 1,185,666 that year, 3rd in the AL.

LBJ was President in the summer of '68, so you probably don't want to put Nixon on your quetionable list of reasons not to go to a baseball game. Offense was way off, Yastrzemski won the batting title with a .301 average. That's the main reason attendance was so unimpressive in that era.

[tugger]

LBJ was President in the summer of '68, so you probably don't want to put Nixon on your quetionable list of reasons not to go to a baseball game. Offense was way off, Yastrzemski won the batting title with a .301 average. That's the main reason attendance was so unimpressive in that era.

I was referring to Nixon's political re-animation (from "you won't have Dick Nixon to kick around anymore" to "Nixon Now"). LBJ was a lame duck at that point.

[monkeypants]

I was referring to Nixon's political re-animation (from "you won't have Dick Nixon to kick around anymore" to "Nixon Now&qu