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Yankee stadium Information
In 1920, the New York Giants and the New York Yankees shared the Polo Grounds ballpark. Unfortunately for the Yankees, the relationship deteriorated in 1921 and they were asked to leave. In February of that same year, the Yankees purchased 10 acres from the William Waldorf Astor estate and began construction on a 70,000 capacity structure that would be the first known "stadium.
After the original design was mapped out by the architect, Osborne Engineering Company, several revisions were made before the construction contract was ultimately presented to New York's White Construction Company in May 1922. The contract budget was a firm $2.5 million with the requirement that the job must be completed in time for the inaugural game, which was to be held on April 18, 1923. As promised, the stadium opened it's doors to an adoring 74,200 fans who witnessed the New York Yankees defeat the Boston Red Sox in a 4-1 game. Babe Ruth, who switched over from the Boston Red Sox in 1919, helped guide the Yankees to victory on their new home turf. Due to his immense popularity, the stadium immediately became known as "The House That Ruth Built.
In 1923, Yankee Stadium hosted the first of 33 World Series games. The Yankees then proudly clinched their first World Championship against the Giants, whom they had separated from several years earlier. As the old adage goes, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." Yankee Stadium changed very little over the next 44 years with the exception of modernizing the scoreboard, adding additional lighting and grandstand adjustments. After years of earning the title, Yankee Stadium became known as "The Home of Champions." In 1967, however, everything changed as CBS became the new owner of Yankee Stadium. A $1.5 million cosmetic makeover was ordered, along with 90 tons of paint. By 1972, the Yankees agreed to sign a 30-year lease with the City of New York, which would call for the stadium to be nearly leveled and then reconstructed. After celebrating the stadium's 50th Anniversary in 1973, the Yankees said goodbye as they spent the next two years at Shea Stadium while theirs was being rebuilt.
In April 1976, the new Yankee Stadium opened it's doors to a game against Minnesota, in which the Yankees won in an 11-4 victory. As was the case in 1923, Yankee Stadium again hosted the World Series during it's inaugural season.
Throughout the years, Yankee Stadium has been host to some of baseball's most memorable moments. Among them, Babe Ruth's 60th homerun in 1927, Lou Gehrig's farewell speech and Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day held on July 4, 1939, Don Larsen's success at throwing the only perfect game in World Series history in 1956, Roger Maris breaking Babe Ruth's record by hitting his 61st homerun in 1961 and Mickey Mantle's 500th homerun in 1967.
Through the years, Yankee fans have seen a lot of historical moments that would forever change the world of baseball. As the years would pass, change is inevitable. In that same spirit, the New York Yankees organization will once again prepare for change. In 2009, the Yankees prepare to unveil a new Yankee Stadium. The 51,000-seat venue is set to begin construction in 2006 and will be situated adjacent to the current field.
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