Yankee Stadium Pre-Renovation

[mrakbaseball]

The Yankees uniforms really stand out against the green of the Old Stadium. It's maybe the most perfect structure ever built.

How do you figure? People complained about the renovated stadium's poor sightlines, narrow aisles, narrow concourses, etc. How was old stadium "perfect"? Just curious. Being picturesque and perfect are 2 different things.

[NYFan1stYankFan2nd]

No. The caption to those photos read: Jehovah's Witnesses At Yankee Stadium & Mass Baptism At Riverside Cascade Swimming Pool, NYC.

The photos you're referring to show the mass baptism at the Riverside Cascade swimming pool.

http://tbn0.google.com/hosted/images/c?q=269f8db87e82f4ea_landing

The Witnesses are right! The END is coming - but it really depends on how long it takes to auction off everything bolted and not bolted down inside that old Stadium. . . .


:dance:rofl::dance:rofl:

[jimmyjimjimz]

I have a question about Babe Ruth's last appearance @ Yankee Stadium

When exactly was it? Was it when he went with the grey hair? Or was it when he was leaning on Bob Feller's bat? I always thought it was when he had the grey hair, but everyone here is saying it was when he was leaning on Bob Feller's bat.

[RichardLillard1]

Feller's bat, when they retired his number and he wore a Yankee uniform for the final time. Earlier that year he had made an appearance in a coat, with grey hair speaking about the 25th anniversary of the Stadium.


Richard

[jimmyjimjimz]

Feller's bat, when they retired his number and he wore a Yankee uniform for the final time. Earlier that year he had made an appearance in a coat, with grey hair speaking about the 25th anniversary of the Stadium.


Richard

oh, ok. Thanks for clearing that up.

[jnakamura]

I have a question about Babe Ruth's last appearance @ Yankee Stadium

When exactly was it? Was it when he went with the grey hair? Or was it when he was leaning on Bob Feller's bat? I always thought it was when he had the grey hair, but everyone here is saying it was when he was leaning on Bob Feller's bat.

Grey hair and overcoat: 1947
Dark hair, in uniform: 1948

[RichardLillard1]

Earlier that year... same year. Who's keeping track? :D

Just to correct myself, the pinstripes/Feller's bat was the Yankee Stadium anniversary and the year prior (coat with grey hair) was the 1947 "Babe Ruth Day."


Richard

[icee82]

A good field shot of the monuments in center!

[SparkyL]

Feller's bat, when they retired his number and he wore a Yankee uniform for the final time. Earlier that year he had made an appearance in a coat, with grey hair speaking about the 25th anniversary of the Stadium.

Richard

Grey hair and overcoat: 1947
Dark hair, in uniform: 1948

Earlier that year... same year. Who's keeping track? :D

Just to correct myself, the pinstripes/Feller's bat was the Yankee Stadium anniversary and the year prior (coat with grey hair) was the 1947 "Babe Ruth Day."

Richard

I have always wondered why his hair went from Grey back to black. Maybe as a result of his cancer treatment?

In any case, these two events are often "mis-presented" in various shows and books so it's understandable that folks get them mixed up.

Babe's speach about baseball being the best game and ending with having the chance to thank everyone (which is often portayed as his final farewell) was the 1947 visit. There's pics of him at a mic in 1948 but I've never heard or seen what he said then.

[jimmyjimjimz]

A good field shot of the monuments in center!

1. The monuments look way shorter in person.

2. Did they move the monuments when they renovated the stadium? It seems like they were more in center field in the pics of the old stadium I've seen throughout the years.

[locke40]

How do you figure? People complained about the renovated stadium's poor sightlines, narrow aisles, narrow concourses, etc. How was old stadium "perfect"? Just curious. Being picturesque and perfect are 2 different things.

Every time I look through the photos found on here of the old Stadium, something new catches my eye that almost doesn't seem real. The shadows that were cast on the field during day games, the way the section of seats closest to the field had less of a grade then the sections behind them, to how an actual artist designed the frieze (smaller sections when the Stadium curved, longer sections for the straight sections, flag poles matching up with the beautiful support columns), all contributed to the majesty of the Stadium. It pains me to think what the original Stadium would have looked like on my HDTV, if it only had survived the terrible 70's.

Every single Stadium built has/had its' flaws. The difference is, these new stadiums' flaws aren't immediately apparent; whereas in the Old Yankee Stadium, it immediately presented its' flaws (support column in the way, right field cut off) and forced you to look past them, only to discover the beauty right in front of your eyes.

The old stadiums that everyone seems to be in love with look and feel like it was designed by a real human being. These new stadiums look and feel like they were designed by a computer, and there is just something missing in that.

[yankies4life]

1. The monuments look way shorter in person.

2. Did they move the monuments when they renovated the stadium? It seems like they were more in center field in the pics of the old stadium I've seen throughout the years.

they look shorter in person because from the picture to the current stadium, they are. the base is in the ground rather above ground like in the OYS.

[Sean O]

the way the section of seats closest to the field had less of a grade then the sections behind them

I stared at Vectorworks for about 3 hours trying to figure out how it worked when I was making my model. Eventually myself, and independently Kaplanski, somehow managed to come up with a pretty decent approximation.

[stadiumbuilder]

The pitch between the two in the lower stand was only a couple of degrees different, but it is very noticable. And yes locke 40, the old stadium was a work of art and looked great even on my 19" black and white tv. As for the support columns, I never had to sit anywhere near one in all my times there because there were usually so many seats available we could easily avoid them. By the late 60's, early 70's people were afraid to venture into the south Bronx and were satisfied with seeing the game on television.

[DGDGBD]

I have always wondered why his hair went from Grey back to black.
Dye job??????

[Yankeefan3783]

What color were the outfield wall distance markings? Red with white outline?

[Lpeters199]

------------

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

^ I didn't know David Johansen was in the Michigan band.

http://image.listen.com/img/150x100/5/4/3/7/507345_150x100.jpg

Cheers to playing at the old stadium!
http://www.karenkuehn.com/photos/people_bw/Buster_Poindexter_1988.jpg

[Tampa Bay Giants]

A good shot of the left field corner.

http://tbn0.google.com/hosted/images/c?q=0954fa07469680b5_large

1961 WS

http://images.google.com/hosted/life/f?q=cincinnati+reds+source:life&imgurl=600e56cca177202b

[Tampa Bay Giants]

http://tbn0.google.com/hosted/images/c?q=600e56cca177202b_large1961 WS

[locke40]

Yankee Stadium.

56078

[locke40]

Why did they have to renovate?

56079

[stadiumbuilder]

They didn't have to, Steinbrenner used leverage and forced it.

[jimmyjimjimz]

Why did they have to renovate?

56079

Because there were huge metal sticks or whatever those things are called in front of people blocking their view. And the seats were made of wood. Imagine someone from now sitting on a wooden seat at a baseball game. 99.9% od this country is morbidly obese. I don't think the wood seats would last more than a month. And, plus, I bet a couple guys fell over the monuments and got hurt. They wanted to take them off of the field. And the scoreboard looked ugly. And............................................... .


They didn't have to, Steinbrenner used leverage and forced it.

From what I heard, because I was born in 1983, after the renovations were complete, they planned the renovations before Steinbrenner bought the team, and he had nothing to do with the renovations. Don't hate someone just because you don't like them, dude.



Yankee Stadium.

56078

Why are there people walking on the field in this picture? I thought they were only allowed to walk on the warning track. I guess grass was like a penny back then, so the grounds crew wasn't worried about the grass getting f'ed up.


------------

HAHA that guy looks like he's on drugs.

[RichardLillard1]

Please note in advance that I am not doing this as a cheap shot at you, but simply to point a few things out. There's also an answer to your question towards the end.




P.S. - I'm almost positive that Locke's question was not meant to be taken in a literal manner. He was commenting on the picture he posted, which I will agree is definitely an incredible shot.




Because there were huge metal sticks or whatever those things are called in front of people blocking their view.

They're called support posts or columns.


And the seats were made of wood. Imagine someone from now sitting on a wooden seat at a baseball game. 99.9% od this country is morbidly obese. I don't think the wood seats would last more than a month.

Fenway still has wooden seats, this is not the reason for them being removed, it is more along the lines of the whole Stadium being modernized and the wooden seats simply not fitting the look anymore. I'm sure they would last longer than that, both from the aspect of functionality and also because no amount of complaining is going to get a team to replace 56,000 seats right away.


And, plus, I bet a couple guys fell over the monuments and got hurt. They wanted to take them off of the field.

There is no evidence to support this, it's more likely that they wanted the monuments off the field because fans were no longer allowed on the field after the renovation and they had to be displayed somewhere.


And the scoreboard looked ugly. And............................................... .

Your opinion, I highly doubt that was a deciding factor in the decision to modernize Yankee Stadium.


From what I heard, because I was born in 1983, after the renovations were complete, they planned the renovations before Steinbrenner bought the team, and he had nothing to do with the renovations. Don't hate someone just because you don't like them, dude.

This is true, but Steinbrenner has been threatening moving the team to New Jersey since the 70's when he took over the team. It's also somewhat widely known that his loyalties weren't to the Yankees, they were to the paycheck, if the Indians had been for sale at the right price, he would have taken them instead. Just a few facts.


Don't hate someone just because you don't like them, dude.

Isn't that an oxymoron? It could be argued that it isn't, but I still don't even know what to make of this.


Why are there people walking on the field in this picture? I thought they were only allowed to walk on the warning track. I guess grass was like a penny back then, so the grounds crew wasn't worried about the grass getting f'ed up.

Please note the massive EXIT signs located just to the right of the monuments. It used to be common practice to have fans exit ballyards by going onto the field and then through large gates, usually in the outfield.

Lifelong Yankees/Mickey Mantle fan (please don't debate this with me, I know you think he isn't because he wore a Mets hat in a movie) Billy Crystal fondly remembers leaving Yankee Stadium through those portals in the outfield and passing by the monuments and even believing as a young boy that perhaps Gehrig, Huggins and Ruth were buried there.

This was the only chance for people to see the monuments then and as I stated before, monument park was likely conceived to give fans a new place to see them, without having them on the field.

I don't know why this practice stopped, but my guess is that it is a combination of things like; liability, new (often bigger/wider) concourses and ramps for leaving through the entrances, more cost effective on the grass, a decrease in overall gentlemanly conduct, etc. The list goes on, but you get the idea.

On a side note, I would be curious as to how bleacher ticket holders got onto the field, if at all, to see the monuments as well as exit the park. I would think they didn't, due to the walk through bullpens that it would have been to get to the grandstand which was field level. If they just left through the bleachers without being able to see the monuments, then this would be somewhat of a Yankee tradition that dates back much further than the stadium's 70's renovation and is a tradition that will likely stop in the new stadium across the street.


Richard

EDIT: Check out the crowd around the monuments in that picture, great stuff. The color is a little off though, I don't think the grass (and for that matter, the ad on the outfield wall) should be a seafoam like that. It doesn't take much, if anything away from the picture though!

[tugger]

Lifelong Yankees/Mickey Mantle fan (please don't debate this with me, I know you think he isn't because he wore a Mets hat in a movie) Billy Crystal fondly remembers leaving Yankee Stadium through those portals in the outfield and passing by the monuments and even believing as a young boy that perhaps Gehrig, Huggins and Ruth were buried there.

Crystal rendered the Ken Burns baseball doc unwatchable.

[jimmyjimjimz]

Please note in advance that I am not doing this as a cheap shot at you, but simply to point a few things out. There's also an answer to your question towards the end.




P.S. - I'm almost positive that Locke's question was not meant to be taken in a literal manner. He was commenting on the picture he posted, which I will agree is definitely an incredible shot.






They're called support posts or columns.




Fenway still has wooden seats, this is not the reason for them being removed, it is more along the lines of the whole Stadium being modernized and the wooden seats simply not fitting the look anymore. I'm sure they would last longer than that, both from the aspect of functionality and also because no amount of complaining is going to get a team to replace 56,000 seats right away.




There is no evidence to support this, it's more likely that they wanted the monuments off the field because fans were no longer allowed on the field after the renovation and they had to be displayed somewhere.




Your opinion, I highly doubt that was a deciding factor in the decision to modernize Yankee Stadium.




This is true, but Steinbrenner has been threatening moving the team to New Jersey since the 70's when he took over the team. It's also somewhat widely known that his loyalties weren't to the Yankees, they were to the paycheck, if the Indians had been for sale at the right price, he would have taken them instead. Just a few facts.




Isn't that an oxymoron? It could be argued that it isn't, but I still don't even know what to make of this.




Please note the massive EXIT signs located just to the right of the monuments. It used to be common practice to have fans exit ballyards by going onto the field and then through large gates, usually in the outfield.

Lifelong Yankees/Mickey Mantle fan (please don't debate this with me, I know you think he isn't because he wore a Mets hat in a movie) Billy Crystal fondly remembers leaving Yankee Stadium through those portals in the outfield and passing by the monuments and even believing as a young boy that perhaps Gehrig, Huggins and Ruth were buried there.

This was the only chance for people to see the monuments then and as I stated before, monument park was likely conceived to give fans a new place to see them, without having them on the field.

I don't know why this practice stopped, but my guess is that it is a combination of things like; liability, new (often bigger/wider) concourses and ramps for leaving through the entrances, more cost effective on the grass, a decrease in overall gentlemanly conduct, etc. The list goes on, but you get the idea.

On a side note, I would be curious as to how bleacher ticket holders got onto the field, if at all, to see the monuments as well as exit the park. I would think they didn't, due to the walk through bullpens that it would have been to get to the grandstand which was field level. If they just left through the bleachers without being able to see the monuments, then this would be somewhat of a Yankee tradition that dates back much further than the stadium's 70's renovation and is a tradition that will likely stop in the new stadium across the street.


Richard

EDIT: Check out the crowd around the monuments in that picture, great stuff. The color is a little off though, I don't think the grass (and for that matter, the ad on the outfield wall) should be a seafoam like that. It doesn't take much, if anything away from the picture though!



Isn't saying "Don't hate someone just because you don't like them" just like saying "It aint over till it's over" or "It's deja vu all over again" or "They give you cash, which is just as good as money"?

[SparkyL]

And, plus, I bet a couple guys fell over the monuments and got hurt. They wanted to take them off of the field.

From what I heard, because I was born in 1983, after the renovations were complete, they planned the renovations before Steinbrenner bought the team, and he had nothing to do with the renovations. Don't hate someone just because you don't like them, dude.




There is no evidence to support this, it's more likely that they wanted the monuments off the field because fans were no longer allowed on the field after the renovation and they had to be displayed somewhere.


This is true, but Steinbrenner has been threatening moving the team to New Jersey since the 70's when he took over the team. It's also somewhat widely known that his loyalties weren't to the Yankees, they were to the paycheck, if the Indians had been for sale at the right price, he would have taken them instead. Just a few facts.


This was the only chance for people to see the monuments then and as I stated before, monument park was likely conceived to give fans a new place to see them, without having them on the field.

Richard

I don't believe that the monument were relocated because the fans could no longer walk on the field and see them but because the wall was moved in and they would be in play much more - remember, in the 1976 configuration MP was not accessable to the fans.

As for Steinbrenner's involvement in the modernization - that was negotiated with Mike Burke as part of CBS. Steinbrenner didn't start his threats to move until around 1984 - with 18 years left on the stadium lease (which then ended in 2002). After all those years, it will be weird to no longer have the background noise of a new stadium located somewhere else.

[The House That Ruth Built]

I don't believe that the monument were relocated because the fans could no longer walk on the field and see them but because the wall was moved in and they would be in play much more - remember, in the 1976 configuration MP was not accessable to the fans.

I think the monuments were placed beyond the playing field was because the distances to the fence were substantially reduced. The monuments were 461 feet away from home. The new dimensions were 430 in death valley and 417 in dead center, thus making the monuments an easy tarket and obstruction on the field.

BTW: This is my 100th post here on BBF!

[Friezer]

Did you ever come across when they stopped putting the bunting on the frieze? I REALLY hope they bring that back next season.

http://images.nypl.org/?id=101054&t=w

wow... first time i've seen that. great eye!

[tugger]

Isn't the frieze just a little, ah, flamboyant?

[alpineinc]

Isn't the frieze just a little, ah, flamboyant?

Them's fight'n' words!!

Ask the hundreds of frieze-heads here what they think...http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=74744

My opinion, no, it did lend a majestic look to the place. Not sure of the NYS.

For example, the PG was never quite the same without its beautiful ornamental facade, which would also be considered "over the top" today.

[SparkyL]

Isn't the frieze just a little, ah, flamboyant?

Them's fight'n' words!!

Ask the hundreds of frieze-heads here what they think...http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=74744

My opinion, no, it did lend a majestic look to the place. Not sure of the NYS.

For example, the PG was never quite the same without its beautiful ornamental facade, which would also be considered "over the top" today.

Indeed it is!!! That was the whole idea!!

[locke40]

Them's fight'n' words!!

Ask the hundreds of frieze-heads here what they think...http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=74744

My opinion, no, it did lend a majestic look to the place. Not sure of the NYS.

For example, the PG was never quite the same without its beautiful ornamental facade, which would also be considered "over the top" today.

I am sorry to be a stickler for architectural terms, but the word facade is defined as "the face of a building, especially the principal face; the front of a building" (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/facade). So, when people refer to the frieze of Yankee Stadium, or the cornice of the Polo Grounds, as a facade (which I hear quite often) it is actually incorrect. Frieze, cornice, or crowning all are correct architectural terms when referring to the ornamental elements of both Yankee Stadium, Polo Grounds, and NYS.

[MarcianoNY]

Hey everyone, I just saw a commercial advertising the remastered broadcast of the Greatest Game Ever Played on ESPN. I believe it will be airing on Dec 20th or so but haven't been able to find confirmation on the website. Judging from the previews, the shots of old Yankee Stadium should be spectacular, so keep an eye out for that. I'll repost if I can find the exact date it will air.

[locke40]

Hey everyone, I just saw a commercial advertising the remastered broadcast of the Greatest Game Ever Played on ESPN. I believe it will be airing on Dec 20th or so but haven't been able to find confirmation on the website. Judging from the previews, the shots of old Yankee Stadium should be spectacular, so keep an eye out for that. I'll repost if I can find the exact date it will air.

Thank you! Can't wait! :clapping

[Gehrig27]

I found the trailer for The Greatest Game here: http://www.espnmediazone.com/mediacenter/mediacenter.html
It airs on Dec. 13 at 9 pm. I think it looks spectacular; I can't wait to see that high-def colorization and previously unseen footage, certainly some great Yankee Stadium shots to expect :clapping.

[The House That Ruth Built]

Extremely ramdom question: does anyone know where the second song in the promo is from? I heard it before but I can't figure it out for the life of me where I heard it. :confused:

[YankeeStadium1923]

I purchased this negative from Ebay years ago, however I never had it printed.

The photo was taken from River Avenue through an open gate behind the old Yankee bullpen. When I purchased the negative I was told it was taken before a World Series game. You can see the bunting along the field level walls and reporters watching practice.....A Unique view of the Old Stadium.

[Mattingly85MVP]

Nice one, wonder where that open door leads too

[locke40]

I purchased this negative from Ebay years ago, however I never had it printed.

The photo was taken from River Avenue through an open gate behind the old Yankee bullpen. When I purchased the negative I was told it was taken before a World Series game. You can see the bunting along the field level walls and reporters watching practice.....A Unique view of the Old Stadium.

Very nice photograph. I hope when I die, I have a chance to go back in time and watch a game there.

[YankeeStadium1923]

Nice Color Kodachrome of Old Yankee Stadium.....Year unknown.

[YankeeStadium1923]

Andy Jurinko Yankee Stadium

[YankeeStadium1923]

Yankee Stadium Exterior Kodachrome.

[YankeeStadium1923]

Yankee Stadium Exterior closeup...

[YankeeStadium1923]

Yankee Stadium Interior Kodachrome.

[YankeeStadium1923]

Frieze Closeup.

[The Monument]

Nice one, wonder where that open door leads too

I read once that in response to a questionnaire about memorable moments in the Stadium's first 50 years, Mickey Mantle answered that he received what I'll call a "spitter' from a woman under the RF stands. Perhaps the Mick's memorable moment took place behind that door.:applaud:

[spiderico]

I purchased this negative from Ebay years ago, however I never had it printed.

The photo was taken from River Avenue through an open gate behind the old Yankee bullpen. When I purchased the negative I was told it was taken before a World Series game. You can see the bunting along the field level walls and reporters watching practice.....A Unique view of the Old Stadium.

I believe its still there. You really can't see it in this picture, but the arrow indicates where it is today. I think thats the tunnel that connects the bleacher concourse with the field level concourse. Its just blocked by gates today. If they wanted to allow bleacher access to the rest of the stadium, it would be through here. Probably expanded a little during the renovation since the field level concourse was not a public concourse in the pre-reno stadium.

[baseballman1243]

The old bullpen houses an ambulance. And it also connects the bleachers to the rest of the stadium, although this is only used for security.

[ol' aches and pains]

I found the trailer for The Greatest Game here: http://www.espnmediazone.com/mediacenter/mediacenter.html
It airs on Dec. 13 at 9 pm. I think it looks spectacular; I can't wait to see that high-def colorization and previously unseen footage, certainly some great Yankee Stadium shots to expect :clapping.

This should be fascinating, if they have all that footage, why not release a DVD of the entire game? I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

My only quibble is with the colorization. I'm all for hi-def, but I'd prefer to see it in the original B&W. It reminds me of when Ted Turner colorized "Casablanca" and a lot of other classic movies. It just didn't look right.

[YankeeStadium1923]

View from the Bleachers....

[YankeeStadium1923]

Bleacher Ads....

[alpineinc]

Great stuff, YS1923. Love the rich color of the old kodachrome.

[MarcianoNY]

View from the Bleachers....

Amazing shot; I sat there 4th of july weekend this summer.... Pretty much the same view, although the attire of the fans has definitely changed.

[jimmyjimjimz]

Great stuff, YS1923. Love the rich color of the old kodachrome.

3 things:
1. What's kodachrome?
2. the bleachers looked so close back then
3. were those pics taken the day The Pope was there? Cause everyone's wearing their "Sunday Best" in those pictures.

[RichardLillard1]

I believe its still there. You really can't see it in this picture, but the arrow indicates where it is today. I think thats the tunnel that connects the bleacher concourse with the field level concourse. Its just blocked by gates today. If they wanted to allow bleacher access to the rest of the stadium, it would be through here. Probably expanded a little during the renovation since the field level concourse was not a public concourse in the pre-reno stadium.


Unfortunately, it isn't there anymore. The entire area has been lowered along with the field level, as you can see int he picture I attached below.

In looking at the outline of what was the original base of the end support column, you can see how much lower and away from the top of the grandstand it was.

Maybe Gary can chime in with some better pictures from the bleacher concourse or something.


Richard


EDIT: The upload failed, so I put it on photobucket. Enjoy.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a286/RichardLillard1/DSC00411.jpg

[Gary Dunaier]

Maybe Gary can chime in with some better pictures from the bleacher concourse or something.

Can't help you there... the bleachers was the only section of Yankee Stadium I didn't get to go to.

[YankeesFan]

Does anyone know what that sign says over the runway down from the field seats? It looks like, "Exit To S....."?

Why did they have to renovate?

56079

[Aviator_Frank]

Does anyone know what that sign says over the runway down from the field seats? It looks like, "Exit To S....."?

STREET it looks like.

[YankeesFan]

I believe its still there. You really can't see it in this picture, but the arrow indicates where it is today. I think thats the tunnel that connects the bleacher concourse with the field level concourse. Its just blocked by gates today. If they wanted to allow bleacher access to the rest of the stadium, it would be through here. Probably expanded a little during the renovation since the field level concourse was not a public concourse in the pre-reno stadium.

I've read that the pre-renovated stadium field level concourse was not a public concourse. Did the original concourse still wrap around the stadium? If so, what was it used for?

I've seen in old photos, that there were I think at least three runway ramps leading down to an area under the stands from the field level. Did these not lead to the field level concourse?

- Thanks.

[jimmyjimjimz]

Does anyone know what that sign says over the runway down from the field seats? It looks like, "Exit To S....."?

I'm guessing it's exit to street

I do see an E there.

[NYFan1stYankFan2nd]

I'm guessing it's exit to street

I do see an E there.

And something below that "EST" and "GAS" station?

[Astros]

View from the Bleachers....

Does anyone know why the aisles in the upper deck were painted what appears to be yellow? You can see it in the photo posted by YankeeStadium1923 and I've seen it in other photos from what I believe is the mid 50s to early 60s.

[Anubis2051]

And something below that "EST" and "GAS" station?

Looks like
"EXIT TO STREET
AFTER GAME"
to me, I could be wrong though

[jimmyjimjimz]

And something below that "EST" and "GAS" station?

where do you see a gas station?

I think it says exit to street after game

[locke40]

Does anyone know why the aisles in the upper deck were painted what appears to be yellow? You can see it in the photo posted by YankeeStadium1923 and I've seen it in other photos from what I believe is the mid 50s to early 60s.

That's another thing to add to the already long list of reasons why I love OYS. The aisles were painted yellow.

57170

[Yankeefan3783]

Last year I went on a cruise on Carnival Valor, and they happen to have a bar named, "The Bronx Bar" on the ship. It's dedicated to the Yankees and Lou Gehrig. The bar's look is inspired by pre-renovated Yankee Stadium. Here's a few pictures I snapped:

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r95/mike3783/Cruise0001111.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r95/mike3783/Cruise0001110.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r95/mike3783/Cruise0001109.jpg

[jrh31584]

This should be fascinating, if they have all that footage, why not release a DVD of the entire game? I'd buy it in a heartbeat.
As far as I know, they do not have the whole game. The original broadcast was likely wiped decades ago.


1. What's kodachrome?

I'm pretty sure that was the film Kodak made for color slides.

[TJH1923]

I just finished watching "The Greatest Game Ever Played" (12/28/58 - NFL Championship Giants vs Colts at Yankee Stadium) on ESPN on my DVR. ESPN did such a great job with the color and high def. It was fascinating watching Old Yankee Stadium come alive.

I noticed a couple of things that have been questioned earlier in this thread. The ornamental frieze scroll work is still present on the ends of the upper and mezzanine decks. The longines clock is present above gate 4 with the white Yankee Stadium letters on the black background.

Again, ESPN did a great job.

[DrBear]

Don't automatically assume that because part of Yankee Stadium was shown in that show, the footage is from 1958. A lot of the clips showed players at various times in their career - I even noticed a shot taken in Metropolitan Stadium with the double-deck outfield seats that weren't built until 1965. The game footage was from 1958, but other footage wasn't necessarily so.

[The House That Ruth Built]

The longines clock is present above gate 4 with the white Yankee Stadium letters on the black background.

I believe the Longines clock was added in '57 or earlier in '58. Can anyone confirm this?

[The Monument]

I liked the show, but wasn't impressed with the colorization. Blue Giants uniforms, brown dirt, and everything else was grey. It was nice to get a few glimpses of the old Stadium though.

[Yankees73]

I agree!!!!

My question is: What the hell is that???? That is the sound system when they rehabbed it in 66-67

[TJH1923]

Don't automatically assume that because part of Yankee Stadium was shown in that show, the footage is from 1958. A lot of the clips showed players at various times in their career - I even noticed a shot taken in Metropolitan Stadium with the double-deck outfield seats that weren't built until 1965. The game footage was from 1958, but other footage wasn't necessarily so.

From the '58 NFL Championship Game.

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

http://www.baseball-fever.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=57299&stc=1&d=1229478800

^ It's as if the referee and the big kid are the only ones who know who the hell has the ball. Where is everyone else going? A strange shot, but a nice angle of the old stadium.

[YankeeStadium1923]

A few more pics of the Old Stadium...

[Paul W]

nice pix from the 30's... any more?
shows the rf corner and grandstand extension pre-expansion
any idea if the extension on the facing of the mezzanine behind 1st was for the press/photogs or club use?
anybody ever see pix of the wooden bleachers coming down and the concrete one going up?

[Paul W]

some pix for comparisons of the right field stands with the previous 30's pix...

[YankeeStadium1923]

Years ago someone was selling original photos on Ebay of the rightfield extension....

I saved the pics to disc and will search and try to post on Monday.....

On my way out for the night.

[Gehrig27]

Yankee stadium bleachers packed for the opening of the 23' series. Stadium decked out for game one of the 1928 world series. The babe with the team mascot and bleachers on opening day 1923. Unveiling of Miller Huggins' monument, 1930.

[NYFan1stYankFan2nd]

A few more pics of the Old Stadium...

Y'know, what fascinates me is that the frame of the Stadium in that Mrs Ruth signed slide was able to support the weight of (1) an additional upper-deck concourse, (2) anywhere from 10 to 15 -depending on who you ask - rows of upper deck seating, and (3) the counter-weight truss around the top of that upper deck concourse to which dozens of cables were attached to hold the whole thing back against the weight of tens of thousands of fans that the original configuration wasn't designed to hold.

Just a casual observation.

[locke40]

Y'know, what fascinates me is that the frame of the Stadium in that Mrs Ruth signed slide was able to support the weight of (1) an additional upper-deck concourse, (2) anywhere from 10 to 15 -depending on who you ask - rows of upper deck seating, and (3) the counter-weight truss around the top of that upper deck concourse to which dozens of cables were attached to hold the whole thing back against the weight of tens of thousands of fans that the original configuration wasn't designed to hold.

Just a casual observation.

It goes to show you that the original Stadium could have stood forever, had New York not had an incompetent mayor at the time of its' demise. I still get angry when I think about what the original Stadium would have looked like on my HDTV.

[YankeeStadium1923]

Y'know, what fascinates me is that the frame of the Stadium in that Mrs Ruth signed slide was able to support the weight of (1) an additional upper-deck concourse, (2) anywhere from 10 to 15 -depending on who you ask - rows of upper deck seating, and (3) the counter-weight truss around the top of that upper deck concourse to which dozens of cables were attached to hold the whole thing back against the weight of tens of thousands of fans that the original configuration wasn't designed to hold.

Just a casual observation.
Yes...Yankee Stadium was a work of art and built to last.....

The renovation of the Stadium was an engineering marvel and allowed a whole new generation of fans to enjoy Yankee Stadium. The Yankees would have followed the Giants to the Meadowlands without the Renovation of Yankee Stadium.

[YankeeStadium1923]

Yankee Stadium rightfield extension......

[stadiumbuilder]

Fantastic! Those are the types of photos I feared didn't even exist! They are facinating and confusing. It must be the winter of 36-37? In the zoomed in shot, you can see some snow on the concrete, but what's with the benches? Were they set up as temporary seating in case things didn't go on schedule? Looks like the bleachers were already finished so they must have started work on them right after the 36 season ended. Is there a date on these?

[YankeeStadium1923]

Fantastic! Those are the types of photos I feared didn't even exist! They are facinating and confusing. It must be the winter of 36-37? In the zoomed in shot, you can see some snow on the concrete, but what's with the benches? Were they set up as temporary seating in case things didn't go on schedule? Looks like the bleachers were already finished so they must have started work on them right after the 36 season ended. Is there a date on these?
I saved the photos from an Ebay auction years ago....All I can tell you is that I saved the photos as 1937 StadiumRFExtension.

I'm not sure of the benches, however you can see a surveyor in the photo.
My guess would be that they are removing the benches and adding pillars.

I'm going to browse some more saved pics and see what I can find....

[parlo]

Great stuff! Every time I visit this thread there are always some photos I have never seen before.

[locke40]

I saved the photos from an Ebay auction years ago....All I can tell you is that I saved the photos as 1937 StadiumRFExtension.

I'm not sure of the benches, however you can see a surveyor in the photo.
My guess would be that they are removing the benches and adding pillars.

I'm going to browse some more saved pics and see what I can find....

Is there anyway you can upload all your photos to a photo-sharing site? I am sure there are some we have never seen, and would very much like to enjoy them.

[YankeeStadium1923]

I would rather just post as I go along....I'm checking to see what others I have saved to disc.

[locke40]

I would rather just post as I go along....I'm checking to see what others I have saved to disc.

Well, regardless, thank you for your amazing photographs. I often sit and stare at photos of Old Yankee Stadium for hours.

[YankeeStadium1923]

I always liked this comparison photo....

[Mary Ellen]

I don't know if this has been posted already. From the NY Times. The little construction building looks like the building by the marina in Flushing that became a construction HQ during the construction of Shea Stadium.

[Paul W]

thanks, YS23... great pix!
how long did the bleacher benches survive in the rf grandstand?

[Mike Wagner]

Dear Guys,
I'm the person who took the color photo of Yankee Stadium that was signed by Mrs. Babe Ruth. I took it in 1971 or 1972 with a Kodak Instamatic 100 camera. I was sure surprised to see it here!!!

-Mike Wagner

[stadiumbuilder]

That's a great photo because it's from a vantage point I haven't seen before, and I've looked at a lot of pictures over the years. Kind of looks deserted there at the time you took it, was it an off day?

[NYFan1stYankFan2nd]

That's a great photo because it's from a vantage point I haven't seen before, and I've looked at a lot of pictures over the years. Kind of looks deserted there at the time you took it, was it an off day?

This was on BF in one of the YS threads - it's from a similar angle but earlier:

[locke40]

Mike, great picture!! Were you the one who got Mrs. Ruth's signature, or was that after the photo had left your hands?

Also, what is up with the below lady's face?? She resembles a clownish figure.

58023

[Yankees73]

Mike, great picture!! Were you the one who got Mrs. Ruth's signature, or was that after the photo had left your hands?

Also, what is up with the below lady's face?? She resembles a clownish figure.

58023I kinda assumed it was Mantle's mother

[NYFan1stYankFan2nd]

Mike, great picture!! Were you the one who got Mrs. Ruth's signature, or was that after the photo had left your hands?

Also, what is up with the below lady's face?? She resembles a clownish figure.

58023

Locke40 - we would all love to see your picture contributions as you post them! What operating system are you using?

I've yet to see more than a red x in a box from you, but I know there's real genious hidden behind the clouds of the Microsoft gods. ;)

[jimmyjimjimz]

Mike, great picture!! Were you the one who got Mrs. Ruth's signature, or was that after the photo had left your hands?

Also, what is up with the below lady's face?? She resembles a clownish figure.

58023

Too much makeup?

[qbannik]

Too much makeup?

I agree. You can the difference in her face vs her neck where there's no make up.

[Mike Wagner]

Dear Guys,
I'm glad you like the photo. I was going to a Yankee game with friends, and stopped to take the picture. The photo is from July 22, 1972. It was the Yankees Old Timers Day game.

I must have had about 60 or so of these photos signed by various Yankee players. Also, Mrs. Ruth and Mrs. Gehrig. I still have some. I sold the others as a lot probably about 5 years ago.

-Mike

[Yankees73]

Dear Guys,
I'm glad you like the photo. I was going to a Yankee game with friends, and stopped to take the picture. The photo is from July 22, 1972. It was the Yankees Old Timers Day game.

I must have had about 60 or so of these photos signed by various Yankee players. Also, Mrs. Ruth and Mrs. Gehrig. I still have some. I sold the others as a lot probably about 5 years ago.

-Mike1972 was the first year I can remember theYanks fighting for the division!! That was probably the most exciting summer I can remember as a kid!! Murcer was as every fan was back then, my hero!!

[stadiumbuilder]

You remember the twinight doubleheader against Detroit? I was talking to Sparky Lyle a couple years ago and layed out the scenerio of the game in which he managed to load the bases with nobody out and when I got to that point in the story, he put up his finger to stop me from talking and said: "And then I struck out the side". I was thrilled that he remembered the whole thing! Got Ike Brown on a slider in the dirt for the third out. They swept, but of course came up short in the end, great season though.

[Yankees73]

You remember the twinight doubleheader against Detroit? I was talking to Sparky Lyle a couple years ago and layed out the scenerio of the game in which he managed to load the bases with nobody out and when I got to that point in the story, he put up his finger to stop me from talking and said: "And then I struck out the side". I was thrilled that he remembered the whole thing! Got Ike Brown on a slider in the dirt for the third out. They swept, but of course came up short in the end, great season though. I remember like it was yesterday!! I remember Scooter saying heee struck him out!! Bases loaded two out.. That brought the Yanks a half game out of first.. I would love to see that on yankee classics.. Jerry Girard from PIX must have replayed that 10 times because back then, I think the Yanks had about a minute to turn it over to Harper News after the last out. I went that following weekend with dad. I think it was a promotional day. (I've gotta look) And I think it was a twinbill close to a sellout. thirty six plus years and I remember that moment like yesterday.. No I'm not too much of a fan. I forgot to add that was the summer of Celerino Sanchez!!!

[stadiumbuilder]

Funny you should mention Celerino. Rizzuto was a big fan and was waiting all year for the guy to hit his first home run. I happened to be siting in the lower left field stands the day he finally hit one, so I never got to hear Phil's reaction, but the thing I remember most was Bobby Murcer, my childhood idol, also hit one- into the LEFT field stands! The only opposite field homer I ever saw him hit. I can still see it leaving his bat, he got it towards the trademark and dumped it over the 301 mark. I think the two most exciting games I attended at the old stadium was a doubleheader sweep of the Tigers right before the all-star break in '73. Nettles walk-off homer off of Lolich just when it looked like it was going into extra innings. We really thought that team was going to be the one, but the second half was nothing like that doubleheader, it was all down hill after that, but those were great games. Unfortunately, for everything I remember there's probably a hundred I forgot, that was a long time ago.

[brooklyndodger14]

I remember like it was yesterday!! I remember Scooter saying heee struck him out!! Bases loaded two out.. That brought the Yanks a half game out of first.. I would love to see that on yankee classics.. Jerry Girard from PIX must have replayed that 10 times because back then, I think the Yanks had about a minute to turn it over to Harper News after the last out. I went that following weekend with dad. I think it was a promotional day. (I've gotta look) And I think it was a twinbill close to a sellout. thirty six plus years and I remember that moment like yesterday.. No I'm not too much of a fan. I forgot to add that was the summer of Celerino Sanchez!!!

Ah, late July going into August, 1972... It was my first full season as a vendor and with Bobby Murcer having another All Star season, Celerino Sanchez providing some glovework at third base (btw, remember the Daily News picture that ran on the back pages just after his Yankee debut wearing a sombrero?), Sparky Lyle coming in the Yankee Datsun to the organist Toby Wright playing "Pomp and Circumstance", and the charged up fans chanting "Dee-Fense! (clap clap) Dee-Fense!" was my very first taste of pennant fever in Yankee Stadium close-up.

I also remember the video of the Lyle strikeout of Ike Brown used to lead into a Datsun commercial the following year with Scooter as the voice-over.

Dennis
BrooklynDodger14

[Tino24]

Are there any pictures of the concourses in prerenovated yankee stadium?

[locke40]

1939 All-Star Game; Yankee Stadium.

http://baseball-fever.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=57218&d=1229387674

[BMF]

i like that ols school runway from the mound

[Yankees73]

Ah, late July going into August, 1972... It was my first full season as a vendor and with Bobby Murcer having another All Star season, Celerino Sanchez providing some glovework at third base (btw, remember the Daily News picture that ran on the back pages just after his Yankee debut wearing a sombrero?), Sparky Lyle coming in the Yankee Datsun to the organist Toby Wright playing "Pomp and Circumstance", and the charged up fans chanting "Dee-Fense! (clap clap) Dee-Fense!" was my very first taste of pennant fever in Yankee Stadium close-up.

I also remember the video of the Lyle strikeout of Ike Brown used to lead into a Datsun commercial the following year with Scooter as the voice-over.

Dennis
BrooklynDodger14 A funny caveat.. I remember that year in 72 walking in the main level with dad and a Yankee official came and asked if I wanted to be a Yankee Good Kid!! I filled out the form and forgot about it. Well I got an official letter in the mail a few weeks later saying I was selected as one!!! Not being able to contain myself, I waited for dad to get home and told him. The letter said report to Yankee Stadium on such and such time on a Saturday. My father said we can't go because he had to work that day and we won't see any good players like Murcer. As a kid I forgot about it until about a few years ago. I was looking at an old scorecard I saved in 72, which spelled out the itinerary, name on scoreboard, clinic for the kids, autographs etc... it wasn't until then that I feel I missed out.
Was any one out there a Yankee Good Kid and was it worth going?? Not that I'm scarred for life, but I would like to know...PS.. Dad took me to dozens of games afterward so I think he made up for the deficit. Finally, is there any video of that 1972 Yankee game, I would love to see it.

[Yankees73]

Funny you should mention Celerino. Rizzuto was a big fan and was waiting all year for the guy to hit his first home run. I happened to be siting in the lower left field stands the day he finally hit one, so I never got to hear Phil's reaction, but the thing I remember most was Bobby Murcer, my childhood idol, also hit one- into the LEFT field stands! The only opposite field homer I ever saw him hit. I can still see it leaving his bat, he got it towards the trademark and dumped it over the 301 mark. I think the two most exciting games I attended at the old stadium was a doubleheader sweep of the Tigers right before the all-star break in '73. Nettles walk-off homer off of Lolich just when it looked like it was going into extra innings. We really thought that team was going to be the one, but the second half was nothing like that doubleheader, it was all down hill after that, but those were great games. Unfortunately, for everything I remember there's probably a hundred I forgot, that was a long time ago. I thought we were a shoe-in in 73. We had a strong lineup and great pitching!!! Whats ironic is the pitching tanked that year..74 was fun though even though they moved Murcer to right field which was foolish on Virdon's part.

[brooklyndodger14]

A funny caveat.. I remember that year in 72 walking in the main level with dad and a Yankee official came and asked if I wanted to be a Yankee Good Kid!! I filled out the form and forgot about it. Well I got an official letter in the mail a few weeks later saying I was selected as one!!! Not being able to contain myself, I waited for dad to get home and told him. The letter said report to Yankee Stadium on such and such time on a Saturday. My father said we can't go because he had to work that day and we won't see any good players like Murcer. As a kid I forgot about it until about a few years ago. I was looking at an old scorecard I saved in 72, which spelled out the itinerary, name on scoreboard, clinic for the kids, autographs etc... it wasn't until then that I feel I missed out.
Was any one out there a Yankee Good Kid and was it worth going?? Not that I'm scarred for life, but I would like to know...PS.. Dad took me to dozens of games afterward so I think he made up for the deficit. Finally, is there any video of that 1972 Yankee game, I would love to see it.

There is a lengthy transcript of the play-by-play of Lyle's strikeout in Harvey Frommer's Remembering Yankee Stadium. I'll scan it and post it here.

Dennis
BrooklynDodger14

[stadiumbuilder]

I thought we were a shoe-in in 73. We had a strong lineup and great pitching!!! Whats ironic is the pitching tanked that year..74 was fun though even though they moved Murcer to right field which was foolish on Virdon's part.They got Elliott Maddox who was a very good glove and Murcer may have slowed a bit, but what I remember about that year was Baltimore refusing to loose in September. Yanks would win and not make up any ground, day after day, very frustrating.

[the stadium guy]

I also remember the video of the Lyle strikeout of Ike Brown used to lead into a Datsun commercial the following year with Scooter as the voice-over.

Dennis
BrooklynDodger14

I remember the commercial well:

Phil Rizzuto: "as every Yankee fan knows, Sparky saves!"

Sparky Lyle: "When it comes to saving.....Datsun saves!"

Good times.
Brad

My head REALLY hurts now...

[genop]

I haven't posted much, i'm more of a lurker around here but i have to say i am loving the stories you guys are telling from past games and experiences. I'm 27 so your stories are actually helping me visualize all that stuff since obviously i wasn't around for those games. Thanks:thumbsup:

[stadiumbuilder]

You mean stories like Lyle stuffing the last of what seemed like the entire package of chewing tobbaco in his left cheek as he'd get out of the Datsun bullpen car? You can get quite a rush out of that stuff, I think it helped his pitching.

[genop]

exactly!!!!:D

[locke40]

1972 was the first year I can remember theYanks fighting for the division!! That was probably the most exciting summer I can remember as a kid!! Murcer was as every fan was back then, my hero!!

I am not old enough to have seen Bobby Murcer play. However, after looking at his career stats on baseball-reference.com, I can't see how he was such a fan favorite. He hit above .300 only twice in his career, never had a 100 RBI season, only hit more than 30 homers once. I guess he was the best player on a team of losers, but obviously that is not saying much at all. Can someone shed some light how why Murcer was a "hero" to some?

[SHOELESSJOE3]

A sad day at the Big Park. Babe and Claire a couple of days later visiting the injured.

[stadiumbuilder]

Murcer was a 25-30 homer a year guy on teams that struggled to get to 100. His rbi totals don't look great because he had .250-.270 hitters in front of him who didn't walk that much. He played a solid centerfield and was very good at going back on the ball, which was essential playing there with the 463ft deep center. This game is a lot more than just the numbers. They traded him for Bobby Bonds, who had better totals, but after watching him play one season, most of us were glad to see him go. Murcer was a class act and always a positive influence, unlike MANY of the players nowadays who seem to think it's more about them than anything else.

[Gary Dunaier]

A funny caveat.. I remember that year in 72 walking in the main level with dad and a Yankee official came and asked if I wanted to be a Yankee Good Kid!!

What is, or was, a "Yankee Good Kid?"

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

What is, or was, a "Yankee Good Kid?"

I think this is one of them.
http://bp0.blogger.com/_m4FI1xplsaE/RlKODFocuyI/AAAAAAAAARI/QEY19EIADMM/s320/Yankee+Kid.jpg

Here's a shot from 1922 during construction
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3243/3121109327_8ff7eb776c_o.jpg

Yankee homer in the 1953 World Series
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3191/3121935930_3758f92c1c_o.jpg



Probably from the 1930's. Interesting that the box seats were sparsely populated, but looking beyond, the rest of the lower level was crowded. Judging by the players, something was happening on the field. Possibly batting practice, which would be proof positive that getting up close without a ticket has always been tough at the stadium. Still, the lack of fans in the box seats is puzzling.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3079/3121109703_dfef2052b5_o.jpg

[parlo]

I am not old enough to have seen Bobby Murcer play. However, after looking at his career stats on baseball-reference.com, I can't see how he was such a fan favorite. He hit above .300 only twice in his career, never had a 100 RBI season, only hit more than 30 homers once. I guess he was the best player on a team of losers, but obviously that is not saying much at all. Can someone shed some light how why Murcer was a "hero" to some?Sure, some of it is due to Murcer being the best player on a mediocre team, but you need to look at his numbers in the proper context.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, someone could lead the league or be amongst the leaders with 34 Hrs. The same thing could be said about 100 RBIs and a 300BA. There is a reason that this era is sometimes referred to as the Second Deadball Era. Murcer wasn't a "great", but he was a solid All-Star during that period.

[Yankees73]

What is, or was, a "Yankee Good Kid?"
Gary
If you have a 72 scorecard it has a little article in there. If not I will look and try to get it scanned. The yanks were trying anything t draw fans back then..

[Yankees73]

You mean stories like Lyle stuffing the last of what seemed like the entire package of chewing tobbaco in his left cheek as he'd get out of the Datsun bullpen car? You can get quite a rush out of that stuff, I think it helped his pitching.You might think I'm nuts but I really enjoyed those early 70s teams more than todays version!! Maybe because it was new and exciting to a young kid. Man that park was beautiful.. I will truly miss it..

[Gary Dunaier]

You might think I'm nuts but I really enjoyed those early 70s teams more than todays version!! Maybe because it was new and exciting to a young kid.

I'll tell you something.

Even if you're able to get free front row seats next to the Yankee dugout for any game you want just by walking up to the gate and asking for them, and the Yankees go 162-0 and sweep the post-season, you probably won't enjoy it as much as you enjoyed the games when you were a kid.

That's the way these things work.

[locke40]

I'll tell you something.

Even if you're able to get free front row seats next to the Yankee dugout for any game you want just by walking up to the gate and asking for them, and the Yankees go 162-0 and sweep the post-season, you probably won't enjoy it as much as you enjoyed the games when you were a kid.

That's the way these things work.

I don't know, Gary. That sounds like a pretty amazing offer. Where do I sign up? :laugh

[jimmyjimjimz]

I don't know, Gary. That sounds like a pretty amazing offer. Where do I sign up? :laugh



Yeah, I didn't think that was possible.


Is that like a new promotion Hal's doing to get people to come to the new stadium?

[RichardLillard1]

Found these ones today at this website:
http://www.curlytailchoir.com/starr/photo2.htm

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a286/RichardLillard1/YankeeStadium1968-1.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a286/RichardLillard1/YankeeStadium1968-2.jpg


Richard

[Yankees73]

I'll tell you something.

Even if you're able to get free front row seats next to the Yankee dugout for any game you want just by walking up to the gate and asking for them, and the Yankees go 162-0 and sweep the post-season, you probably won't enjoy it as much as you enjoyed the games when you were a kid.

That's the way these things work. Probably right Gary. I still get goosebumps though when I drive on the Grand Concourse and see the courthouse on the Horizon!! The feeling is as the same as it was in 1971. Ya know, when I saw the new Stadium with the frieze last season, it does bring back those memories.

[TJH1923]

Probably right Gary. I still get goosebumps though when I drive on the Grand Concourse and see the courthouse on the Horizon!! The feeling is as the same as it was in 1971. Ya know, when I saw the new Stadium with the frieze last season, it does bring back those memories.

There was nothing like driving down the Grand Concourse and the stadium coming into view. Very often it was preceded by "Dad, how much longer." The facade and the blue seats were so vivid.

The view from the first car of the 4 train coming from out of the subway tunnel (traveling north) was pretty awesome also. Coming from the opposite direction (traveling south) was nice also. By the 167 st. Station, you could see the stadium. It is still a thrill to this day.

The above is second to walking out of the portal and seeing the green field and the stands, particularly from the upper deck, in either version of the stadium.

[Yankees73]

Sure, some of it is due to Murcer being the best player on a mediocre team, but you need to look at his numbers in the proper context.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, someone could lead the league or be amongst the leaders with 34 Hrs. The same thing could be said about 100 RBIs and a 300BA. There is a reason that this era is sometimes referred to as the Second Deadball Era. Murcer wasn't a "great", but he was a solid All-Star during that period.Thats funny on the Yankee Kid Mendoza..
If I did that in 72 with my dad, My finger along with my arm would be you know where!!!!

[dabigyankeeman]

His rbi totals don't look great because he had .250-.270 hitters in front of him who didn't walk that much.

You made a good post about Murcer. However, that RBI thing is really valid for Mantle. He was so great, but people that didnt see him play say he didnt have enough RBI's each year, well, most of his career he had guys like Bobby Richardson (who managed to reach .300 ONCE in his career) and Tony Kubek, these guys were in for their fielding, not their hitting, and they didnt get a lot of walks either. So many hits by The Mick should have knocked in runs, but they guys werent on base in front of him! The in 1961 he batter behind Maris, who hit 61 home runs and knocked in everyone in front of him. Whats interesting is that with hitting so many home runs, Maris didnt get any intentional walks because Mantle was behind him. A few intentional walks here and there, and Roger might not have broken that record.

Getting back to Murcer, he was a really good guy too. I met him once, and he sincerely was a nice, caring guy. A better player than people realized too.

[alpineinc]

August 1973 from Jersey 1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mets1958/1514994127/in/set-72157602320745355/) on flickr.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1215/1514994127_e29f2e53be_b.jpg

[NYFan1stYankFan2nd]

August 1973 from Jersey 1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mets1958/1514994127/in/set-72157602320745355/) on flickr.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1215/1514994127_e29f2e53be_b.jpg

Now you all know my feelings about the "big blue letters" spelling out YANKEE STADIUM on the new park, but I do understand the necessity of having them put on the renovated stadium in 1976.

In that vain, I must ask of your most impressive photo: are those letters, in that photo, the same ones hung from the back of the upper deck of the Stadium after the 1974-75 renovations? If they are, then those are some pretty historic big blue letters. :)

[YankeesFan]

Hi-

I've noticed a few things by looking at films. Any info would be great.

- On the face of the mezzanine level, I believe there were four sections for the press box. (Right field), (First base to around home plate), (Third baseline) and (Left field). Does anyone know what members of the press sat where for baseball and football? I've seen on films that in winter the third base side press box was enclosed.

- The two press boxes put up in 1967 that hung off the upper deck I assume were only used for football, not baseball.

- Does anyone know how the Stadium crew was able to lower the Giants bench. I find it amazing how they could do that, yet then return the field to one level for baseball. I assume they did that so fans could see from the lower rows of seats.

- Also amazing how the wooden chairs placed on the field during football games as late as the late 60's / early 70's, appear to be the same chairs from the 1920's.

Thanks so much.

[SparkyL]

Now you all know my feelings about the "big blue letters" spelling out YANKEE STADIUM on the new park, but I do understand the necessity of having them put on the renovated stadium in 1976.

In that vain, I must ask of your most impressive photo: are those letters, in that photo, the same ones hung from the back of the upper deck of the Stadium after the 1974-75 renovations? If they are, then those are some pretty historic big blue letters. :)

Yes they are the same letters . . .

. . . for comparison (especially the spacing). From this angle it is also apparent why the new letters had to mounted on the roof, as the back of the UD is blocked by the higher entranceway.

[stadiumbuilder]

I never considered them to be the originals, so I never took a close look, but they are exactly alike. Can you confirm this?

[RichardLillard1]

- On the face of the mezzanine level, I believe there were four sections for the press box. (Right field), (First base to around home plate), (Third baseline) and (Left field). Does anyone know what members of the press sat where for baseball and football? I've seen on films that in winter the third base side press box was enclosed.

To the best of my knowledge, with the exception of the small football press boxes that hung from the upper tier, sportswriters filled all other press boxes. There were a lot of freelance, local and national papers that covered all the games back then.

Once televised games became more common practice, the boxes down the line were used to house camera stations. There were no center field cameras back then and Yankee Stadium had a great view from the mezzanine down either line.


- The two press boxes put up in 1967 that hung off the upper deck I assume were only used for football, not baseball.

Yes, as I stated above. If you take a look in the back pages, there is a picture somewhere of Marv Albert covering a Giants game from the one in right field.


- Does anyone know how the Stadium crew was able to lower the Giants bench. I find it amazing how they could do that, yet then return the field to one level for baseball. I assume they did that so fans could see from the lower rows of seats.

Not exactly sure what you mean here, could you elaborate a little?


- Also amazing how the wooden chairs placed on the field during football games as late as the late 60's / early 70's, appear to be the same chairs from the 1920's.

It wouldn't surprise me. Even the box seat chairs from 1923 were loose chairs and they were probably removed and stored with the others (i.e. for boxing events and the like) and used up until they renovated the stadium. After all, every chair in the place was original to 1923-46 (depending on the location of said chair).


I hope this helps a bit, anything else, I will try the best I can.


Richard

[ChineseDemocracy]

Yes they are the same letters . . .

. . . for comparison (especially the spacing). From this angle it is also apparent why the new letters had to mounted on the roof, as the back of the UD is blocked by the higher entranceway.


I don't know, Sparky.

The blue letters on RYS look to be thicker. Of course, I was just standing across the street when I took that picture, whereas the shot of OYS was taken at a greater distance.

Shall we make life difficult for Tony M? :reporter:

:D

[ChineseDemocracy]

And on a completely different note, I was reading an article someone posted in the Dodger Stadium thread that made a reference to the exclusive Yankee Stadium Club.

Anyone know what this is about? This is the first I'm hearing about it, and I know I haven't seen any pictures. I can't even imagine what part of the Stadium it would be in.

(Obviously, I'm talking about OYS not RYS.)

[orioles667083]

Ok, YANKEE STADIUM on the pre renovated stadium. YANKEE STADIUM on the renovated stadium is ok. BUT a YANKEE STADIUM sign directly over a YANKEE STADIUM sign on the gate 4 entrance, and out in the left field area. Over kill, no?:crazy

[parlo]

Did anyone catch the ESPN special last night about the 1958 Giants/Colts Championship game???
There was quite a bit of footage of OYS.

[Gary Dunaier]

Ok, YANKEE STADIUM on the pre renovated stadium. YANKEE STADIUM on the renovated stadium is ok. BUT a YANKEE STADIUM sign directly over a YANKEE STADIUM sign on the gate 4 entrance, and out in the left field area. Over kill, no?:crazy

Not intentional overkill, I think... most likely nobody thought the reason they put the blue YANKEE STADIUM letters over Gate 4 was because the original lettering was covered up by the digital clock.

Here's one for you all... in the post-renovation stadium the K in YANKEE is directly behind home plate. Does anyone know if the same was true in the pre-renovation stadium?

[stadiumbuilder]

Not intentional overkill, I think... most likely nobody thought the reason they put the blue YANKEE STADIUM letters over Gate 4 was because the original lettering was covered up by the digital clock.

Here's one for you all... in the post-renovation stadium the K in YANKEE is directly behind home plate. Does anyone know if the same was true in the pre-renovation stadium?I just checked. The K was in perfect line with home plate.

[orioles667083]

Not intentional overkill, I think... most likely nobody thought the reason they put the blue YANKEE STADIUM letters over Gate 4 was because the original lettering was covered up by the digital clock.

Here's one for you all... in the post-renovation stadium the K in YANKEE is directly behind home plate. Does anyone know if the same was true in the pre-renovation stadium?

Thank you, but it still seems odd to see the YANKEE STADIUM sign over the YANKEEE STADIUM sign on the new stadium.

[Gary Dunaier]

Thank you, but it still seems odd to see the YANKEE STADIUM sign over the YANKEEE STADIUM sign on the new stadium.

It does. If they had to put large letters on top, I'd have preferred they went with wider lettering - either transfer the letters from then original facility or create a replica set.

[RichardLillard1]

It does. If they had to put large letters on top, I'd have preferred they went with wider lettering - either transfer the letters from then original facility or create a replica set.

Looks like it lines up to me Gary. So far as I can tell, from looking at pictures from al different angles, the letters were place the same space apart both before and after the renovation.


Richard


EDIT: I see someone beat me to it.

I will say this though... has anyone noticed the apparent lack of things being taken over from Shea and Yankee Stadium to the newer facilities?

Seems to me like foul poles, the letters, etc. are obvious things... aside from home plate of course.

[SparkyL]

I don't know, Sparky.

The blue letters on RYS look to be thicker. Of course, I was just standing across the street when I took that picture, whereas the shot of OYS was taken at a greater distance.

Shall we make life difficult for Tony M? :reporter:

:D

From the modernization blueprints "Reinstallation of Yankee Stadium sign by others":

[SparkyL]

I will say this though... has anyone noticed the apparent lack of things being taken over from Shea and Yankee Stadium to the newer facilities?

Seems to me like foul poles, the letters, etc. are obvious things... aside from home plate of course.

I totally agree. To me the easiest thing to bring over was the weather vane bat atop the flag pole - that was from OYS to RYS . . .

I would have also taken a section or two of the current frieze and mounted it on the inside wall of the Great Hall. That space is so large (and empty) they could have displayed other such artifacts that cannot fit into the new museum.

[Astros]

I totally agree. To me the easiest thing to bring over was the weather vane bat atop the flag pole - that was from OYS to RYS . . .

I would have also taken a section or two of the current frieze and mounted it on the inside wall of the Great Hall. That space is so large (and empty) they could have displayed other such artifacts that cannot fit into the new museum.

I think they are currently planning what type of direction they are going with their museum. I know that certain things have already been removed from around the stadium in preparation for the move. The public only saw items from Monument Park moved. Give them some time. We're all so excited about the possibilities I think we forget there is a timeline to everything! :nod:

But also consider the contract they will have with a company for the sale of seats, fixtures, etc. And...as stated many times before, Yankee Stadium is owned by the City of New York, not the Yankees. The Yankees would have to arrange for some of these other items to be removed for museum purposes.

[ChineseDemocracy]

Ahh, I'd never seen that blueprint before, thanks!

And as far as YS artifacts being moved, we have to take into consideration that players and other members of the organization are allowed to take items for their own personal use.

I would love to see the list of things that were taken. Doesn't Mussina have dibs on the big bat outside?

[SparkyL]

I think they are currently planning what type of direction they are going with their museum. I know that certain things have already been removed from around the stadium in preparation for the move. The public only saw items from Monument Park moved. Give them some time. We're all so excited about the possibilities I think we forget there is a timeline to everything! :nod:

But also consider the contract they will have with a company for the sale of seats, fixtures, etc. And...as stated many times before, Yankee Stadium is owned by the City of New York, not the Yankees. The Yankees would have to arrange for some of these other items to be removed for museum purposes.

Good points.

I really hope that the models from the 70's renovation, the 2001 plan and the current stadium (both neighborhood and large stadium) are added to the museum. They are so cool to look at and often get thrown in a closet to collect dust.

[SparkyL]

Ahh, I'd never seen that blueprint before, thanks!

And as far as YS artifacts being moved, we have to take into consideration that players and other members of the organization are allowed to take items for their own personal use.

I would love to see the list of things that were taken. Doesn't Mussina have dibs on the big bat outside?

Are they allowed to take anything???

[Astros]

Good points.

I really hope that the models from the 70's renovation, the 2001 plan and the current stadium (both neighborhood and large stadium) are added to the museum. They are so cool to look at and often get thrown in a closet to collect dust.

I vote that they put stadiumbuilder's 1973 model in there!

[Astros]

Are they allowed to take anything???

I'm sure they will have a time period by which they have to be complete with their move. I remember it was like this for the Astros. They moved in March, 2000 to the new offices at the new stadium and had to have everything they wanted out of the Astrodome by a certain time before all the leftover contents became property of the county (which owns the stadium). I'm not sure what the exact parameters are for the Yankees. This is really a first because of how long they were in this building.

I would love to see them remove at least a portion of that column that is in the Gehrig room down the first base line. They found those old World Series banners in some old closets. I wonder if they found anything else. Obviously there were some things that survived over all the years even when they did do the renovation work. Yankee Stadium is pretty much an archeological study now!

[jimmyjimjimz]

Ahh, I'd never seen that blueprint before, thanks!

And as far as YS artifacts being moved, we have to take into consideration that players and other members of the organization are allowed to take items for their own personal use.

I would love to see the list of things that were taken. Doesn't Mussina have dibs on the big bat outside?


Actually, I think Jeter has dibs on the bat. Either the big bat outside the stadium, or the bat on top of the flagpole. Mussina has dibs on the flagpole, which is why it wasn't moved accross the street.

[Swoboda4]

Looks like it lines up to me Gary. So far as I can tell, from looking at pictures from al different angles, the letters were place the same space apart both before and after the renovation.


Richard


EDIT: I see someone beat me to it.

I will say this though... has anyone noticed the apparent lack of things being taken over from Shea and Yankee Stadium to the newer facilities?

Seems to me like foul poles, the letters, etc. are obvious things... aside from home plate of course.

There could be a whole thread about how the Mets themselves were lucky to make it over to New Shea intact, and not be renamed "Dodgers", but let's not get into that.

I agree that much more of YS and Shea should be incorporated into the new places. To think that those old YANKEE STADIUM letters survived as long as they did, through a two year renovation and all, and NOT be brought across the street, is a sin. NYS is humongous. No room at the inn? They couldn't put them anywhere?

[Yankeefan3783]

I'm hoping the bat on top of the flagpole makes its way to the top of the new flagpole at NYS.

[locke40]

I'm hoping the bat on top of the flagpole makes its way to the top of the new flagpole at NYS.

Yes, I agree. However, the flagpole at NYS will be pushed all the way in leftfield above the concourse, probably hidden away to many in the stadium. It certainly won't be as prominent as it was in OYS and RYS, which, in my humble opinion, is a crying shame. There was something special and unique about having a huge American flag completely visible at all times. I guess the 30-something American flags above the (tiny) roof at NYS will suffice.

[jimmyjimjimz]

Yes, I agree. However, the flagpole at NYS will be pushed all the way in leftfield above the concourse, probably hidden away to many in the stadium. It certainly won't be as prominent as it was in OYS and RYS, which, in my humble opinion, is a crying shame. There was something special and unique about having a huge American flag completely visible at all times. I guess the 30-something American flags above the (tiny) roof at NYS will suffice.

I thought the flag poles were gonna be in 1 of the bullpens.

[Anubis2051]

Yes, I agree. However, the flagpole at NYS will be pushed all the way in leftfield above the concourse, probably hidden away to many in the stadium. It certainly won't be as prominent as it was in OYS and RYS, which, in my humble opinion, is a crying shame. There was something special and unique about having a huge American flag completely visible at all times. I guess the 30-something American flags above the (tiny) roof at NYS will suffice.

Did they remove the one that was going to be in monument park?

[Gehrig27]

Some shots I haven't seen before:

[locke40]

Did they remove the one that was going to be in monument park?

A flag pole in monument park was never in the plans. There were plans to have three flag poles in the right centerfield bullpen, but that plan was scraped and the flag poles were moved to the far left section of the bleacher concourse. :thumbsdown:

[mackenzie]

Can anyone explain this? :confused:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3077/2460108657_6d00c9caac_o.jpg

I can. I was there.

Hi Guys - I'm fairly new to this site. I recently posted a few times on the Renovation 1973-75 thread, then spent hours reading all the way through this one. Time very well spent, I think, even if my wife doesn't agree. Anyway, I'm going to respond to a few posts in this thread. Some do go back pretty far but maybe a can help tie up a few loose ends.

Regarding the picture above, it was taken on Sunday, June 15, 1969. It was Bat Day obviously and exactly one week after the Mickey Mantle retirement ceremony. Yanks played the Seattle Pilots and won 4-0. Jimmie Hall (remember him?) drove in all four runs with two 2-run triples; pretty unusual in itself. After 6 innings, a thundershower came through, gave the place a pretty good soaking, then blew out quickly.

Soon as the rains stopped, a few kids bolted onto the field. Within minutes, literally hundreds more followed, mostly kids with bats in hands. They were having a great old time, sliding into puddles on the infield tarp, chasing each other around the outfield, etc. The police presence at the Stadium was much less in those days and the grounds crew was a little hesitant in confronting all those kids with bats. But eventually the field was cleared and the game was called.

The photo was taken towards the end of the mayhem. Looks like most of the kids still on the field were heading for the stands at that point. Also, a few puddles are visible in LF which is why the game wasn't resumed. I didn't join in the craziness as I was sitting in the upper deck with my younger sister. $1.50 general admission seats, poles and above. That's where I always headed in those days and Section 5 was my favorite spot. On the "Yankees side", close enough to home plate whereas the upper deck structure didn't cut off the RF corner from view, and even if you sat up a few rows higher, the poles didn't obstruct your view. And do you know that the row even with the poles was below today's upper deck aisle? Unbelievable. I loved those seats.

Anyway, we sat there with our Mickey Mantle bats, which we were really happy to have gotten. Still have mine, in fact. Some guy sitting near us tried to trade a Roy White for my sister's Mantle bat. She was only 12 years old and not a super fan but the deal smelled fishy to her and she said nah.

Another cool thing about that day was that even though the game was official (6 innings), the Yankees offered everybody there a free ticket for a future game. Took place that August 6th vs. California. Yanks won that, too.

I was really happy when I came across this picture. Until then, that day was only an old memory. Now, a little bit of my Old Yankee Stadium history is brought back to life. Thanks, MM, so much for posting it.

Regards,
Mark

[locke40]

Nothing will ever compare to the pre-renovated Yankee Stadium. NYS tried but fell far too short.

[AROD4MVP]

Nothing will ever compare to the pre-renovated Yankee Stadium. NYS tried but fell far too short.

It's not even open and you have never stepped foot into it.

But it has fallen too short.

[sabbathunter]

What made the Yankees decide to cover up the original Yankee Stadium with the clock?

Does anyone know if that original sign still exists, behind the exterior stair/escalator ?



Not intentional overkill, I think... most likely nobody thought the reason they put the blue YANKEE STADIUM letters over Gate 4 was because the original lettering was covered up by the digital clock.

Here's one for you all... in the post-renovation stadium the K in YANKEE is directly behind home plate. Does anyone know if the same was true in the pre-renovation stadium?

[SparkyL]

What made the Yankees decide to cover up the original Yankee Stadium with the clock?

Does anyone know if that original sign still exists, behind the exterior stair/escalator ?


No that's gone. They carved out that entire section when they added the escalator towers, and like you can see at Gate 2, where the original YS sign was removed to add the new upper deck concourse.

[sabbathunter]

Do you know why they covered it up (the Yankee Stadium sign in the limestone) in pre-renovated YS with the clock?


No that's gone. They carved out that entire section when they added the escalator towers, and like you can see at Gate 2, where the original YS sign was removed to add the new upper deck concourse.

[MarcianoNY]

Hey I hope no one is offended but I thought this pic was pretty cool so I played with the levels a little bit in iphoto.

[NeoExelor]

http://mikeytherhino.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/oldyankeeoutside.jpg

Just a question guys; what time period is this from? The ticket booths are gray and the top of the stadium is in black. What's the story?

[mackenzie]

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

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


This video is great. I was at that game, also. Actually games; it was a regularly scheduled daytime doubleheader against Cleveland. They used to play them once in while in those days. Two games for the price of one.

The date of the game is listed as July 24, 1970 on the youtube site. Whoever placed the video clip on there was a month off, however. It actually took place on June 24, 1970 and I still have the ticket stub. Yanks lost the first game 7-2 but took the second 5-4. This day deserves more comment, though, as it was definitely the most eventful and wackiest doubleheader that I've ever been fortunate enough to witness.

Things started off pretty slow. Indians are cruising to the 7-2 victory in the first game. Bobby Murcer does hit a home run late in the game. To mop up in the top of the 9th, Yankees bring in Steve Hamilton who throws the two Folly Floaters seen in the video. I remember walking to the concession stands after the first pitch, then running back towards the seats when I heard a cheer go up. I just barely got back in time to see Munson's catch. Interesting that Phil Rizzuto's play-by-play was matched up with the video. He was on the radio at that point. I taped that call the next day as Marv Albert replayed it on his Yankee Warm-up show on WHN 1050. Remember that station? I still have the tape.

Now the second game starts. Murcer hits one out. Two in a row for him. He walks in his next at bat. Streak still alive. Next time up, bang - home run number three. Still have Frank Messer's call of that one.

Meanwhile, Bobby Murcer is playing center and Tony Horton (same guy who fouled off the Folly Floater) hits an enormous shot right over Murcer's head and the ball rolls behind the monuments. Bobby chases the ball as quick as he can while Horton, a big guy, is lumbering around the bases. So subscribing to the theory that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, Murcer turns to his side and jumps right through the monuments. Then he grabs the ball, fires a great throw from 463 feet out to the cut-off man (either Gene Michael or Horace Clarke) who nails Horton at the plate. We could not believe what we had just seen. What a cool play. I have seen a quick snippet of Murcer running through the monuments on highlight shows; maybe a Yankeeography.

Then later on, some nut threw a cherry bomb onto the field and it rolled right under Cleveland catcher, Ray Fosse's leg. It exploded and Fosse rolled all around in the dirt in pain. He stayed in the game, though, and got a good hand from the crowd. It turned out to be a rough year for Ray Fosse, by the way. Pete Rose ran into Fosse injuring him badly while scoring the winning run in the All Star Game in Cincinnati a few weeks later.

Not finished yet. After all this, the Yankees are still losing 4-3 late in the game. Up comes Bobby Murcer with a man on. The crowd is definitely into it now. Count goes to 3-2. Tension is really getting high. Murcer hits a long arching drive down the right field line. Stays fair. Unbelievable; four home runs in a row. Yanks go ahead 5-4 and hang on to win.

We were sitting in the upper deck on the third base side that day and I had a great view of the 4th home run. To this day, I can still see that ball going out. I can also still hear Bob Gamere's radio play-by-play (Remember him? He did Yankee games that one year in 1970). I had taped this the next day, also, and used to replay it from time to time over the next few years.

Many people forget that the Yankees had a good year in 1970. Their final record was a respectable 93-69 and although they ended up pretty far back of a great Baltimore team, they were only about 4 games out at that point in June. So the excitement that we felt was real.

Well anyway, that was a great day and it’s been fun reliving it here. Another one of my old Yankee Stadium days comes back to life. Really cool.

Regards,
Mark

[locke40]

This video is great. I was at that game, also. Actually games; it was a regularly scheduled daytime doubleheader against Cleveland. They used to play them once in while in those days. Two games for the price of one.

The date of the game is listed as July 24, 1970 on the youtube site. Whoever placed the video clip on there was a month off, however. It actually took place on June 24, 1970 and I still have the ticket stub. Yanks lost the first game 7-2 but took the second 5-4. This day deserves more comment, though, as it was definitely the most eventful and wackiest doubleheader that I've ever been fortunate enough to witness.

Things started off pretty slow. Indians are cruising to the 7-2 victory in the first game. Bobby Murcer does hit a home run late in the game. To mop up in the top of the 9th, Yankees bring in Steve Hamilton who throws the two Folly Floaters seen in the video. I remember walking to the concession stands after the first pitch, then running back towards the seats when I heard a cheer go up. I just barely got back in time to see Munson's catch. Interesting that Phil Rizzuto's play-by-play was matched up with the video. He was on the radio at that point. I taped that call the next day as Marv Albert replayed it on his Yankee Warm-up show on WHN 1050. Remember that station? I still have the tape.

Now the second game starts. Murcer hits one out. Two in a row for him. He walks in his next at bat. Streak still alive. Next time up, bang - home run number three. Still have Frank Messer's call of that one.

Meanwhile, Bobby Murcer is playing center and Tony Horton (same guy who fouled off the Folly Floater) hits an enormous shot right over Murcer's head and the ball rolls behind the monuments. Bobby chases the ball as quick as he can while Horton, a big guy, is lumbering around the bases. So subscribing to the theory that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, Murcer turns to his side and jumps right through the monuments. Then he grabs the ball, fires a great throw from 463 feet out to the cut-off man (either Gene Michael or Horace Clarke) who nails Horton at the plate. We could not believe what we had just seen. What a cool play. I have seen a quick snippet of Murcer running through the monuments on highlight shows; maybe a Yankeeography.

Then later on, some nut threw a cherry bomb onto the field and it rolled right under Cleveland catcher, Ray Fosse's leg. It exploded and Fosse rolled all around in the dirt in pain. He stayed in the game, though, and got a good hand from the crowd. It turned out to be a rough year for Ray Fosse, by the way. Pete Rose ran into Fosse injuring him badly while scoring the winning run in the All Star Game in Cincinnati a few weeks later.

Not finished yet. After all this, the Yankees are still losing 4-3 late in the game. Up comes Bobby Murcer with a man on. The crowd is definitely into it now. Count goes to 3-2. Tension is really getting high. Murcer hits a long arching drive down the right field line. Stays fair. Unbelievable; four home runs in a row. Yanks go ahead 5-4 and hang on to win.

We were sitting in the upper deck on the third base side that day and I had a great view of the 4th home run. To this day, I can still see that ball going out. I can also still hear Bob Gamere's radio play-by-play (Remember him? He did Yankee games that one year in 1970). I had taped this the next day, also, and used to replay it from time to time over the next few years.

Many people forget that the Yankees had a good year in 1970. Their final record was a respectable 93-69 and although they ended up pretty far back of a great Baltimore team, they were only about 4 games out at that point in June. So the excitement that we felt was real.

Well anyway, that was a great day and it’s been fun reliving it here. Another one of my old Yankee Stadium days comes back to life. Really cool.

Regards,
Mark

Great post, Mark. It's great to see first hand that it's always been about what happens on the field, not the stadium around it. Then again, the stadium can be the common thread throughout the years. Very sad that the thread is being cut in a few short months; the very definition of short-term thinking.

[Yankees73]

This video is great. I was at that game, also. Actually games; it was a regularly scheduled daytime doubleheader against Cleveland. They used to play them once in while in those days. Two games for the price of one.

The date of the game is listed as July 24, 1970 on the youtube site. Whoever placed the video clip on there was a month off, however. It actually took place on June 24, 1970 and I still have the ticket stub. Yanks lost the first game 7-2 but took the second 5-4. This day deserves more comment, though, as it was definitely the most eventful and wackiest doubleheader that I've ever been fortunate enough to witness.

Things started off pretty slow. Indians are cruising to the 7-2 victory in the first game. Bobby Murcer does hit a home run late in the game. To mop up in the top of the 9th, Yankees bring in Steve Hamilton who throws the two Folly Floaters seen in the video. I remember walking to the concession stands after the first pitch, then running back towards the seats when I heard a cheer go up. I just barely got back in time to see Munson's catch. Interesting that Phil Rizzuto's play-by-play was matched up with the video. He was on the radio at that point. I taped that call the next day as Marv Albert replayed it on his Yankee Warm-up show on WHN 1050. Remember that station? I still have the tape.

Now the second game starts. Murcer hits one out. Two in a row for him. He walks in his next at bat. Streak still alive. Next time up, bang - home run number three. Still have Frank Messer's call of that one.

Meanwhile, Bobby Murcer is playing center and Tony Horton (same guy who fouled off the Folly Floater) hits an enormous shot right over Murcer's head and the ball rolls behind the monuments. Bobby chases the ball as quick as he can while Horton, a big guy, is lumbering around the bases. So subscribing to the theory that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, Murcer turns to his side and jumps right through the monuments. Then he grabs the ball, fires a great throw from 463 feet out to the cut-off man (either Gene Michael or Horace Clarke) who nails Horton at the plate. We could not believe what we had just seen. What a cool play. I have seen a quick snippet of Murcer running through the monuments on highlight shows; maybe a Yankeeography.

Then later on, some nut threw a cherry bomb onto the field and it rolled right under Cleveland catcher, Ray Fosse's leg. It exploded and Fosse rolled all around in the dirt in pain. He stayed in the game, though, and got a good hand from the crowd. It turned out to be a rough year for Ray Fosse, by the way. Pete Rose ran into Fosse injuring him badly while scoring the winning run in the All Star Game in Cincinnati a few weeks later.

Not finished yet. After all this, the Yankees are still losing 4-3 late in the game. Up comes Bobby Murcer with a man on. The crowd is definitely into it now. Count goes to 3-2. Tension is really getting high. Murcer hits a long arching drive down the right field line. Stays fair. Unbelievable; four home runs in a row. Yanks go ahead 5-4 and hang on to win.

We were sitting in the upper deck on the third base side that day and I had a great view of the 4th home run. To this day, I can still see that ball going out. I can also still hear Bob Gamere's radio play-by-play (Remember him? He did Yankee games that one year in 1970). I had taped this the next day, also, and used to replay it from time to time over the next few years.

Many people forget that the Yankees had a good year in 1970. Their final record was a respectable 93-69 and although they ended up pretty far back of a great Baltimore team, they were only about 4 games out at that point in June. So the excitement that we felt was real.

Well anyway, that was a great day and it’s been fun reliving it here. Another one of my old Yankee Stadium days comes back to life. Really cool.

Regards,
Mark Third base line upper deck!! In my mind that was the best place to sit!! Sat there all the time watching Murcer and company.. I cannot believe all those events happened in one twinbill!! I've seen separate snippets of those events but I didn't think they were all the same day!! And I did not know that Murcer threw that guy out at the plate!! Great Story!! Brings back tons of memories for us 40 somethings who loved those late 60s early 70s Yankees. I keep saying it but they were more more fun than today!!

[mackenzie]

Great post, Mark. It's great to see first hand that it's always been about what happens on the field, not the stadium around it. Then again, the stadium can be the common thread throughout the years. Very sad that the thread is being cut in a few short months; the very definition of short-term thinking.

Thanks. I definitely agree with you. The greatness of the Yankee story has been that we have had this common thread throughout the long years. I think that it's been a wonderful combination of having a great stadium, so many good players and winning teams, along with the multitude of loyal fans going back about four full generations now. And I'd rank the three components up there fairly equally.

Derek Jeter in his touching speech from the field this past September made a special effort to acknowledge the fans. I tell you, I have been to ballgames all around the country and I see things at Yankee Stadium that just don't happen anywhere else. Our fans have that New York edge which sets us apart. Where else but at Yankee Stadium would someone have the presence of mind to be prepared to hold up a "Mr. November" sign at the exact moment that a Major League game was extended into that month for the first time in history? And then, the player for whom that sign was no doubt intended, hits a walk-off home run to tie a World Series a minute later. You can't make this stuff up.


Yankees73 Quote:
Third base line upper deck!! In my mind that was the best place to sit!! Sat there all the time watching Murcer and company.. I cannot believe all those events happened in one twinbill!! I've seen separate snippets of those events but I didn't think they were all the same day!! And I did not know that Murcer threw that guy out at the plate!! Great Story!! Brings back tons of memories for us 40 somethings who loved those late 60s early 70s Yankees. I keep saying it but they were more more fun than today!!

So your place was the third base side. I mentioned in a recent post that my favorite was Section 5, first base side. But you may have something there. I think that my two best days at Yankee Stadium happened while sitting in the upper deck third base side. The even numbers. The first I've already described and the second was Scott Brosius/Game 5/2001. I can really get into that one but you guys know the story well! All I will add is that after Brosius hit his home run, there was a long delay as Kim was being taken out. The soundman played that tune which my brother-in-law calls "happy music"; you know, the one where the scoreboard shows the little guy jumping up and down. Anyway, the song went on for a good two minutes and with everyone jumping up and down in unison, the whole stadium started shaking big time. As this was only weeks after 9-11, I got pretty nervous!

Regards,
Mark

[mackenzie]

http://mikeytherhino.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/oldyankeeoutside.jpg
Just a question guys; what time period is this from? The ticket booths are gray and the top of the stadium is in black. What's the story?

The House That Ruth Built
I believe the Longines clock was added in '57 or earlier in '58. Can anyone confirm this?

Hard to pin it down exactly. I read a number of posts on this topic in the Yankee Stadium renovation 1973-75 thread. One person wrote that the Longines clock and white YANKEE STADIUM letters with the black background went up in 1956.

It's there in the photo below taken on September 19, 1959. In the above photo, there's that bit of the rear end of the black car in the lower right. The car is almost definitely a Chevy, 1950 to 1952 model year. There were only minor changes in these cars during those three years. It's license plate is fuzzy but the old NY yellow/orange background with black numbering is visable. Being on a mission, a found a website showing the old NY plates. In those days, license plates changed every two years for the most part. The black on yellow/orange pattern was used for a number of years including 1951, '52, '55, '56, '58, and '59. Now the only way to eliminate some of these years is if we can locate the small state and year lettering/numbering either at the plate top or bottom. Maybe those of you with good photo software could confirm this. In 1955 and 1956 only of the above six years listed, the plates read "NY THE EMPIRE STATE 55" (or 56) along the top. This inscription is placed on the bottom for the other four years.

Anyway, it's not nailed down yet. I suspect that 1951-52 is too early and I wouldn't be surprised if it turns out to be 1956 or 1958, however.

The lamp post in the lower left doesn't help narrow the time frame either as it appears with the mailbox attached in both a 1949 Gate 4 shot and the 1959 photo below.

The YANKEE STADIUM lettering was changed to the current blue ones in 1967 when the stadium walls were painted white, by the way.

Also, it looks to me like the ticket kiosks are painted light green, the same color as the stadium seats in those days.

Regards,
Mark

[Anubis2051]

Here's one I found of Mickey Mantle hitting a snowball in celebration of his new contract:
http://pro.corbis.com/images/U1335415INP.jpg?size=67&uid={6f655635-7d13-4b65-a050-30666f20e51b}

[Yankeefan3783]

Here's one I found of Mickey Mantle hitting a snowball in celebration of his new contract:
http://pro.corbis.com/images/U1335415INP.jpg?size=67&uid={6f655635-7d13-4b65-a050-30666f20e51b}

I received "The Yankee Stadium Scrapbook: A Lifetime of Memories" (http://www.amazon.com/Yankee-Stadium-Scrapbook-Lifetime-Memories/dp/0762433221) this past Christmas, and this picture, as well as many others, are in the book. A very good book for any Yankee fan or fan of Yankee Stadium.

[locke40]

Some black and white versions of a few previous photographs.

62047

62048

62050

[Yankeefan3783]

Great pictures!

[voodoochile]

Back in April 25, 2008 Yankees82 posted these two photos with the caption, "check out the kid in the box seats." The reply was that the guy peering over the dugout was Joe D., and 2 or 3 others agreed that it was. That was all that was said of the photos.

Having just seen them myself, I thought that I'd give my 2 cents worth. From what I've heard about that kid, he's a spoiled brat and very unruly. That is probably why Joe D. was poking his head over the dugout, he wanted to keep an eye on his son, Joe D. Jr.

[mdnash]

Hard to pin it down exactly. I read a number of posts on this topic in the Yankee Stadium renovation 1973-75 thread. One person wrote that the Longines clock and white YANKEE STADIUM letters with the black background went up in 1956.

It's there in the photo below taken on September 19, 1959. In the above photo, there's that bit of the rear end of the black car in the lower right. The car is almost definitely a Chevy, 1950 to 1952 model year. There were only minor changes in these cars during those three years. It's license plate is fuzzy but the old NY yellow/orange background with black numbering is visable. Being on a mission, a found a website showing the old NY plates. In those days, license plates changed every two years for the most part. The black on yellow/orange pattern was used for a number of years including 1951, '52, '55, '56, '58, and '59. Now the only way to eliminate some of these years is if we can locate the small state and year lettering/numbering either at the plate top or bottom. Maybe those of you with good photo software could confirm this. In 1955 and 1956 only of the above six years listed, the plates read "NY THE EMPIRE STATE 55" (or 56) along the top. This inscription is placed on the bottom for the other four years.

Anyway, it's not nailed down yet. I suspect that 1951-52 is too early and I wouldn't be surprised if it turns out to be 1956 or 1958, however.

The lamp post in the lower left doesn't help narrow the time frame either as it appears with the mailbox attached in both a 1949 Gate 4 shot and the 1959 photo below.

The YANKEE STADIUM lettering was changed to the current blue ones in 1967 when the stadium walls were painted white, by the way.

Also, it looks to me like the ticket kiosks are painted light green, the same color as the stadium seats in those days.

Regards,
Mark

where is that image from?

[tugger]

From getty images (duh!):

[mackenzie]

Originally Posted by mackenzie

(Undated) Gate 4 shot and the 1959 photo...
where is that image from?

I had copied the two photos above (in post 2179) from earlier in this thread. I also saw the 1949 picture (pre-Longines clock) in other Yankee threads. Unfortunately, I don't know what the primary sources are. Maybe someone else here can identify them.

Regards,
Mark

[Chevy114]

This may be an amature question, but what is the black stuff under the letters on the outside of the stadiumt hat say yankee stadium? It looks like a big net drapped over.

[brooklyndodger14]

This may be an amature question, but what is the black stuff under the letters on the outside of the stadiumt hat say yankee stadium? It looks like a big net drapped over.

That is the original upper deck wall painted black to provide better contrast for the Stadium sign to stand out. There is no net but those are the louvres that are seen.

Dennis
BrooklynDodger14

http://baseball-fever.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=60894&stc=1&d=1233519658

[tugger]

Back in April 25, 2008 Yankees82 posted these two photos with the caption, "check out the kid in the box seats." The reply was that the guy peering over the dugout was Joe D., and 2 or 3 others agreed that it was. That was all that was said of the photos.

Having just seen them myself, I thought that I'd give my 2 cents worth. From what I've heard about that kid, he's a spoiled brat and very unruly. That is probably why Joe D. was poking his head over the dugout, he wanted to keep an eye on his son, Joe D. Jr.

Can't imagine Joe was real happy to have photogs lurking around his kid.

[voodoochile]

Looks like Joe gave him the rundown on the photographers, too. Check out the fire in the kids eyes. Looks as if he's about to go after the guy.

What also caught my attention later was the outfit he's wearing. My parents dressed me like that a few times. White shirt and tie with a suit jacket . . . and short pants. I'd put up a fight when they made me wear that stuff, a loosing battle, I may add. I associated it with being a sissy, because that's how kids on TV were portrayed who dressed like that.

[Chevy114]

That is the original upper deck wall painted black to provide better contrast for the Stadium sign to stand out. There is no net but those are the louvres that are seen.

Dennis
BrooklynDodger14

http://baseball-fever.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=60894&stc=1&d=1233519658

Thanks, I just happened to notice the other day that it looked different than the rest of the stadium.

[mdnash]

A police officer directing traffic probably after a football game 4 Nov, 1963
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a286/RichardLillard1/BE02569924Nov1963.jpg


where did you find this image?

[Milwaukee County Stadium]

Here's A Photo I don't think has been posted here of Pre Renovated Yankee Stadium:
http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/multimedia/photo_gallery/0809/mlb.yankee.stadium.moments/images/Yankee-Stadium-Memorie(2).jpg

[RichardLillard1]

where did you find this image?

If you go back (admittedly quite a few pages) you'll see that someone supplied us a resource or pictures and given that I had a lot of time on my hands at the time, I posted almost every one of them that I could find.

I can't remember the site off-hand, but if you go back and search this thread, I'm sure it is in there.


Richard

[RichardLillard1]

Here's A Photo I don't think has been posted here of Pre Renovated Yankee Stadium:
http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/multimedia/photo_gallery/0809/mlb.yankee.stadium.moments/images/Yankee-Stadium-Memorie(2).jpg

That's late August of 1948, the flags were put at half-mast after the death of Babe Ruth on August 16th.

He passed at 8:01pm, so my guess is that is the 17th or later, and with no line outside the stadium it is probably before his casket was put in the rotunda.


Richard

[stadiumbuilder]

Here's a couple pictures I took in the waning minutes of the last game at OYS. Notice the extra security on the field before it ended, I guess they thought maybe they'd keep us off the field, it didn't work. I had to edit these quite a lot, I was a nervous and excited kid and both of these shots are very slanted. I remember us asking one of the special cops what was going to happen after the game and he kind of just shrugged, opening the door for us to jump the fence after the last out. For some reason, I have no memory whatsoever of where we exited, I don't recall leaving through the bleacher doors or a bullpen but it probably had to be one of the two.

[alpineinc]

From OldTimeBaseball (http://picasaweb.google.com/rriescher/OldTimeBaseball#) on Picasa.

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj90/alpineinc/00299_s_8ac95rbc70384.jpg

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj90/alpineinc/00433_s_8ac95rbc70518.jpg

Mickey Mantle Day
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj90/alpineinc/00429_s_8ac95rbc70514_z.jpg


http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj90/alpineinc/00427_s_8ac95rbc70512.jpg

Luis Aparicio
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj90/alpineinc/00441_s_8ac95rbc70526.jpg

Carlos May
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj90/alpineinc/00442_s_8ac95rbc70527.jpg

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj90/alpineinc/yankeestad.jpg

[stadiumbuilder]

Great pictures, I love 'em, but the last one got reversed somehow.

[alpineinc]

Fixed. Still a good seat, lol.

[yankees82]

great pics!

[Yankeefan3783]

Great pictures. What was the pole in CF to the left of the monuments and flag pole?

[mackenzie]

Do you mean the pole to the right of the monuments? If so, that's a speaker that was placed there in the mid '60s.

[Yankeefan3783]

Do you mean the pole to the right of the monuments? If so, that's a speaker that was placed there in the mid '60s.

Oops, yea I meant right.

[Gehrig27]

I was just looking through some earlier pictures posted on this thread when I noticed that the 1922 pennant raised opening day 1923 (as seen in this picture from opening day 1923) looks, at least to my eyes, nothing like the 1922 pennant shown at the last game. Maybe they had new ones made a few years later?:noidea (last game photo from flickr user: rjsfan4ever)

[Anubis2051]

I was just looking through some earlier pictures posted on this thread when I noticed that the 1922 pennant raised opening day 1923 (as seen in this picture from opening day 1923) looks, at least to my eyes, nothing like the 1922 pennant shown at the last game. Maybe they had new ones made a few years later?:noidea (last game photo from flickr user: rjsfan4ever)

is it possible that the date on the first photo is inaccurate?

[mackenzie]

I was just looking through some earlier pictures posted on this thread when I noticed that the 1922 pennant raised opening day 1923 (as seen in this picture from opening day 1923) looks, at least to my eyes, nothing like the 1922 pennant shown at the last game. Maybe they had new ones made a few years later?:noidea (last game photo from flickr user: rjsfan4ever)

I had recently posted a different picture of the 1922 banner in the black area that I took on 9/21/2008 on the post renovation thread. I think there were both pennant flags (made of light material) and banners (heavier material). The flags obviously go up on flagpoles. Banners would get tacked up on a wall or, in the case of the Old Timers Games at Yankee Stadium up until 1973, be hung from the old copper frieze.

This difference never occurred to me until I had posted that 1922 photo. I almost referred to it as a flag. Then I said, whoops, better call it a banner.

[Gehrig27]

is it possible that the date on the first photo is inaccurate?

That was my first thought, but it's consistent with other pictures taken that day like this one. (I think they were back around page 30) Here's one from opening day 1933 with the same style pennant flying as we saw at the last game.

[stadiumbuilder]

I don't know if it ever happened, but it appears in the old stadium, pre 1937 bleacher reconstruction, that you could actually hit a long shot to straightaway left, clear the homerun wall and seating where the 402 mark would eventually be and have it land on the field in play behind the grandstand. Looking at the angle on the old diagrams, this seems to be a physical but highly unlikely possibility. A ball hit 10 or more feet over the fence on the left side of what became the visitors bullpen years later would have accomplished this unlikely event. That would have been fun to watch, especially if the umpire wasn't prepared for such a wierd hit.

[mets16]

Nice video of NYC and Yankee Stadium in the 60's. I don't think it was posted before.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/32912172@N00/3362402438/in/pool-baseball_stadiums

[SparkyL]

From OldTimeBaseball (http://picasaweb.google.com/rriescher/OldTimeBaseball#) on Picasa.

All I see are a bunch of "Bandwidth exceeded" icons and an offer to buy the Pro version.

[Yankeefan3783]

Nice video of NYC and Yankee Stadium in the 60's. I don't think it was posted before.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/32912172@N00/3362402438/in/pool-baseball_stadiums

Cool video.

[Anubis2051]

theres a sketch of OYS in the bg of this 1976 giants program.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3426/3363351798_9901682046_b.jpg
strange, considering the stadium had already been renovated by then.

[Gehrig27]

I think they were trying to represent what each venue looked like while the giants were playing there.

[spiderico]

OK. Heres a big one that I have not yet seen addressed. This book just came out:
http://www.amazon.com/Yankee-Colors-Glory-Years-Mantle/dp/0810996383

I was in a store today and leafing through it. Lots of nice 50's and 60's era YS shots in color. Most never seen before. Anyway, I'm going through it and then I get to a nice big 2 page spread shot of the main entrance (gate 4) at night. Here's where it gets weird. The big "YANKEE STADIUM" letters (on top of the outer edge of the upper deck, above the longines clock) were lit up...IN RED!!!!!!!!!! What the hell is that about? Never seen a shot of that. Never even heard of that. Anyone else aware of this? If you don't believe me, please visit your local neighborhood bookstore and see for yourself. Very, very odd.

[SultanOfWhat]

I saw that Yankee colors book on Amazon, and plan to order it.

That brings up a question: what is the oldest color photo of OYS? The oldest one I have is the one of Tommy Henrich with his glove outstretched by first base, which is dated 1947.

http://pro.corbis.com/search/Enlargement.aspx?CID=isg&mediauid={638274DD-812D-4A41-A852-AE4C4CA2F86D}

Looks much better lightened:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/ScnY6JQg8jI/AAAAAAAAElE/33d46Hm7P5Y/s800/UKD471INP.jpg

[darbypitcher22]

great pics!

[mackenzie]

I saw that Yankee colors book on Amazon, and plan to order it.

That brings up a question: what is the oldest color photo of OYS? The oldest one I have is the one of Tommy Henrich with his glove outstretched by first base, which is dated 1947.

http://pro.corbis.com/search/Enlargement.aspx?CID=isg&mediauid={638274DD-812D-4A41-A852-AE4C4CA2F86D}

Looks much better lightened:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/ScnY6JQg8jI/AAAAAAAAElE/33d46Hm7P5Y/s800/UKD471INP.jpg

Good picture, SultanOfWhat. It's the oldest color photo I have and it's definitely from 1947. The Gem add in RF matches up with that from the 1947 Series picture of DiMaggio hitting the long drive to left caught by Gionfreddo. The adds were different in 1946 and 1948. I also checked Henrich's fielding record. He did play 6 games at first that year.

[mackenzie]

Guys - A while back in thread, there was some discussion about the removal of the decorative copper end-caps on the grandstands. I recall that some posts had stated that it had disappeared about 1961 or 1962 but I don't think the time was ever really pinpointed. With the photos attached below, I think that we can say that it was removed during the 1961-62 off-season. So a real purist could argue that with the taking down of these grandstand end-caps, the deconstruction of the historic Yankee Stadium actually began then and there.

Referring to the first picture of Roger Maris's 61st homerun on 10/1/1961, the curved bottom edges of the copper end-cap is visible below the upper deck. In addition, notice that the last pillar is thicker than the others as it is enclosed with a metal covering, also decorative copper. I do not have a date for the second picture, but it shows this decorative copper covering on the last RF grandstand pillar. Now the third photo was taken on Friday, May 25, 1962 (dated using information from the scoreboard). On the extreme right edge of this photo, it can be seen that the decorative copper end-cap is gone. Other shots from the early '60s on clearly show the pillar enclosures to be gone, as well, and these two end pillars appeared much narrower from then on. So there you go.

Regards,
Mark

[SultanOfWhat]

This could be a contender for the oldest color pic of Yankee stadium (though it affords only a very narrow view), but I suspect it may be colorized. I'll have to check back through my Gehrig pics to see if I can find a black and white version.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/Sc5Xl184AXI/AAAAAAAAEqk/cuYBaYyQHOY/s800/spo%20Yankees%20gehrig%20dugout%20color%20pic.jpg

Here's another interesting pic. Hard to say where it was taken, though it doesn't look like OYS (looks like a big scoreboard in LCF). Is the Babe portion of this pic natural color? Babe is in color, while the background is B&W (except the blue sky at top). Looks like his image was superimposed. If so, the pic might have actually have been taken in OYS. Again, I'll try to find a B&W version of Ruth holding those bats (it does look familiar). Looks like the Babe might actually be inside the dugout, looking out, which would be a more common shot.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/Sc5ZJSU2T9I/AAAAAAAAEqs/_UiAEfiHjwg/s800/51MErxm7%2BKL._SS500_.jpg

***ETA:

Never mind. It's just a colorized and superimposed pic from 1932 or so:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Q_Zerpnj63I/Sc5cPTlYzlI/AAAAAAAAErk/dCbEzYhQvIA/s800/ca.%20April%201932.jpg

[Gehrig27]

I'm pretty sure it's safe to say the end pieces were taken down over the course of the 61' season; first the mezzanine and then the upperdeck sections. They were completely removed by the start of the 62' season. The first picture is from game one of the 61' series and you can see that the siding on the mezzanine has been removed, while the upperdeck siding is still visible. The second picture was taken on April 3, 1962 and the entire left field siding appears to be gone (the thinner end beam).

[mackenzie]

Gehrig27 - You are definitely right about the mezzanine sections being removed first prior to the '61 WS. I hadn't seen that photo before. I wonder how look long before the series this happened. Good catch, though, and thanks for correcting my post.

Sultan - Cool pictures. I guess the publisher of Ruth's daughter's book thought that they needed a more dramatic background. Agreed that it does not look like Yankee Stadium. Polo Grounds neither. I suspect that the Gehrig picture is colorized and I've thought that the nice one of the Babe's final appearance in 1948 was, as well.

Regards,
Mark

[RichardLillard1]

Guys - A while back in thread, there was some discussion about the removal of the decorative copper end-caps on the grandstands. I recall that some posts had stated that it had disappeared about 1961 or 1962 but I don't think the time was ever really pinpointed. With the photos attached below, I think that we can say that it was removed during the 1961-62 off-season. So a real purist could argue that with the taking down of these grandstand end-caps, the deconstruction of the historic Yankee Stadium actually began then and there.

Referring to the first picture of Roger Maris's 61st homerun on 10/1/1961, the curved bottom edges of the copper end-cap is visible below the upper deck. In addition, notice that the last pillar is thicker than the others as it is enclosed with a metal covering, also decorative copper. I do not have a date for the second picture, but it shows this decorative copper covering on the last RF grandstand pillar. Now the third photo was taken on Friday, May 25, 1962 (dated using information from the scoreboard). On the extreme right edge of this photo, it can be seen that the decorative copper end-cap is gone. Other shots from the early '60s on clearly show the pillar enclosures to be gone, as well, and these two end pillars appeared much narrower from then on. So there you go.

Regards,
Mark


Great post Mark!

I do have to give you one correction though, if you look at the photo of the right field stands, you can see that the end pillars were actually that big, the concrete bases for them was just a hare larger and I suspect that even if they were encased in some sort of copper sheath (for lack of a better term), then it wasn't as thick as we may think it was.

However, I do believe that decorations on end pillars were more permanent as they were (if memory serves) left that way until the renovation.

My theory is that something like that was made that way, as it would have been very difficult to keep a steel girder from rusting out if it had a casing over it. The casing would have needed to be removed every so often, probably after each winter and gone over and repaired. It seems like too much work to me on such an important structural component. After all, those end pillars are in place to make the completed ends of the structure very rigid and able to deal with the the elements.

I think its a great find that the mezzanine was removed first, this is a pretty standard picture I've seen many times. I just never thought to look for answers there. It does make me very curious as to what else is lurking in other photos that we've all seen before.


Richard

[mackenzie]

Hi Richard,

Copper sheath is probably a good term for it. I do think that it was removed with the upper end-cap, though. Look at the picture below which was taken on 10-3-1963. The end pillar on the left field side does look narrower than in earlier shots, and the concrete base now appears to be quite a bit wider relative to the pillar. Also, the texture and coloring of the sheathing (on the earlier posted RF picture) does look like oxidized copper to me rather than sea foam green paint.

Having written this, you do make an excellent point about the maintenance aspect and prevention of rust. There would have been some periodic inspection of the steel pillars necessary. Probably the two were given a good paint job when installed (in 1928 and 1937) and then covered with the sheathing. If the paint wasn't scratched too badly by the copper, it just might have held up for a good number of years.

Also definitely true about little details being continuously noticed on this pictures 40-50 years or more after the fact. It is fun to find these things. I'll need to check that Corbis collection. Haven't spent much time there.

Regards,
Mark

[Paul W]

here's a pix of the macombs dam park baseball field, a hunter college game in the early 1050's.
the infield is in roughly in short left field of the nys.

[Gehrig27]

Here are some nice dvd screen caps. I always liked the look of the bunting on the dugout and the varying larger ones on the upperdeck.

[jimmyjimjimz]

here's a pix of the macombs dam park baseball field, a hunter college game in the early 1050's.
the infield is in roughly in short left field of the nys.

you mean the 1950's, right? I don't think baseball was invebted by the
1050's, lol.

[RichardLillard1]

Hi Richard,

Copper sheath is probably a good term for it. I do think that it was removed with the upper end-cap, though. Look at the picture below which was taken on 10-3-1963. The end pillar on the left field side does look narrower than in earlier shots, and the concrete base now appears to be quite a bit wider relative to the pillar. Also, the texture and coloring of the sheathing (on the earlier posted RF picture) does look like oxidized copper to me rather than sea foam green paint.

Having written this, you do make an excellent point about the maintenance aspect and prevention of rust. There would have been some periodic inspection of the steel pillars necessary. Probably the two were given a good paint job when installed (in 1928 and 1937) and then covered with the sheathing. If the paint wasn't scratched too badly by the copper, it just might have held up for a good number of years.

Also definitely true about little details being continuously noticed on this pictures 40-50 years or more after the fact. It is fun to find these things. I'll need to check that Corbis collection. Haven't spent much time there.

Regards,
Mark



My apologies, I really need to learn from my own mistakes and just double check next time, I even second guessed myself... :ooo:

When I get the time, I'll have to go back and check through this entire thread to see what might lurk in the backgrounds.


Richard

[mackenzie]

Richard,

When considering how much I've learned (and enjoyed) from you and all the others here, no apologies are necessary. Really.

Regards,
Mark

[Mario Mendoza...HOF Lock]

A larger image of a pic posted by Paul W, plus a few others

http://tbn0.google.com/hosted/images/c?q=2e85a522424e4270_large

http://tbn0.google.com/hosted/images/c?q=0aa3939829380dbf_large


http://tbn0.google.com/hosted/images/c?q=7fd774f0616f38ba_large

http://tbn0.google.com/hosted/images/c?q=c295e4912929ffab_large

[darbypitcher22]

i miss the bunting..... it always seemed like just an Opening Day thing and playoff thing after the place was renovated...wonder if it'll carry over to the new park

[Milwaukee County Stadium]

Some Photos I found and I don't think where posted here of Pre Renovated Yankee Stadium from the book "The Offical Retrospective Yankee Stadium"

[Milwaukee County Stadium]

Here are some more photos I don't think were posted here of Pre Renovated Yankee Stadium from the book "Remembering Yankee Stadium" and "A Yankee Stadium Scrapbook" and "The Official Retrospective Yankee Stadium"

[Milwaukee County Stadium]

Here are some more photos I don't think were posted here of Pre Renovated Yankee Stadium from the book "Remembering Yankee Stadium" and "A Yankee Stadium Scrapbook" and "The Official Retrospective Yankee Stadium"

[Milwaukee County Stadium]

Here are some more photos I don't think were posted here of Pre Renovated Yankee Stadium from the book "Remembering Yankee Stadium" and "A Yankee Stadium Scrapbook" and "The Official Retrospective Yankee Stadium"

[shaneslatts]

When you see those pictures, all the talk of martini bars, sports bars, discos, or whatever the heck else they have in the new place, kind of goes out the window

[soup]

what a palace. Thanks for the pictures

[RichardLillard1]

Check out the second picture in post #2234. Those end pieces and newer sections of the frieze are MUCH darker than the 1923 sections.


Richard

[The Monument]

Good eye, Richard. I noticed that too.

[scooterfan]

Thanks everybody for posting these pictures!! Whenever someone compares the new one to the old one I get pi$$ed. These pictures prove my point.

[jimmyjimjimz]

Thanks everybody for posting these pictures!! Whenever someone compares the new one to the old one I get pi$$ed. These pictures prove my point.

Honestly, I'd rather be at Tommy Bahama's with a jack and coke in each hand before the game, than be in an extremely narrow hallway trying to get to my seats, when there's no one moving, and it takes me 20 min to get to my seats cause someone fell.

[scooterfan]

Honestly, I'd rather be at Tommy Bahama's with a jack and coke in each hand before the game, than be in an extremely narrow hallway trying to get to my seats, when there's no one moving, and it takes me 20 min to get to my seats cause someone fell.

As time moves on many fans will disagree with you. Some already do. Let's be honest here, the debuts of CitiField and Yankee Stadium haven't gone exactly to plan.

You're acting like you had to navigate your way through roadside IED's in Baghdad in order to get to your seat at yankee stadium.

[Gary Dunaier]

Honestly, I'd rather be at Tommy Bahama's with a jack and coke in each hand before the game

Cracker Jack and Coca-Cola? I like 'em both (well, I'm a Pepsi guy, but that's neither here nor there...), but at the same time? Too much sugar at one time...

At least I hope you were referring to Cracker Jack. I know a lot of people here at the Baseball Fever think you say a lot of stupid things, and that may be just a matter of differing opinions, but if by "jack" you were talking about the kind of a jack you use to repair a flat tire... well... thank you very much for playing, better luck next time, that's all I'm going to say.

[Gary Dunaier]

..........

[soup]

Those are really great shots. I wish they weren't quite so large so I could see the whole thing at once without having to scroll left and right!

[stadiumbuilder]

Yes those are great shots but my computer is now having trouble loading page 90.

[baseballman1243]

Is this person listening to....an ipod?!?!? :crazy:crazy

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d169/baseballman1243/c.jpg

[NYFan1stYankFan2nd]

Is this person listening to....an ipod?!?!? :crazy:crazy

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d169/baseballman1243/c.jpg

Get a clue:

http://www.irememberjfk.com/mt/2006/11/transistor_radios.php

OH! I apologize, you must have been born during Carter or Reagan or later. My bad! :D

[The Monument]

Cracker Jack and Coca-Cola? I like 'em both (well, I'm a Pepsi guy, but that's neither here nor there...), but at the same time? Too much sugar at one time...

At least I hope you were referring to Cracker Jack. I know a lot of people here at the Baseball Fever think you say a lot of stupid things, and that may be just a matter of differing opinions, but if by "jack" you were talking about the kind of a jack you use to repair a flat tire... well... thank you very much for playing, better luck next time, that's all I'm going to say.

I think he meant a jacket and coat in case the rain blew in throught the open windows of the Great Hall.

[SparkyL]

Does anyone have pics of the old Manny's Baseball Land that used to be on River Ave. where the Stan's store currently is?