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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 21: Current and former Yankees stand on the field during a pregame ceremony prior to the start of the last regular season game at Yankee Stadium between the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Yankees on September 21, 2008 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Yankees are playing their final season in the 85 year old ball park and plan on moving into the new Yankee Stadium across the street to start the 09 season. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

On this day in Yankees history – Yankee Stadium closes its doors

For 

Nine years ago today, Yankee Stadium took its final curtain call.

After 85 years of unforgettable memories, the New York Yankees played their final game at the old Yankee Stadium on September 21, 2008, defeating the Baltimore Orioles 7-3 to send the old stadium out in grand fashion.

The stadium first opened its doors on April 18, 1923, with the Yankees defeating the Boston Red Sox 4-1. One swing of the bat proved to be the difference in the game, as Babe Ruth hit a three-run home run into the right field stands against his former team to give the Yankees a lead they wouldn’t surrender.

During its 85-year history, the stadium hosted 6,581 regular season Yankee home games, including four All-Star game festivities. It was closed for renovation purposes during the 1974 and 1975 seasons, but for a long period of time, this stadium hosted some of the greatest moments in the franchise’s storied history.

It was given the nickname “The House That Ruth Built,” and was also referred to by some as “The Cathedral of Baseball.” When it first opened in 1923, it became the first sports venue to be called a stadium.

As far as tradition is concerned, the old Yankee Stadium held a winning attitude that could not be matched by any stadium in all of sports. During the seasons the Yankees called this stadium home, the team won an astounding 37 American League Pennants and 26 World Series Championships.

Although the team was about to be eliminated from playoff contention, that final night in the Bronx was absolutely a perfect send-off for a stadium that was filled with a rich tradition. Andy Pettitte picked up his 14th victory of the season, pitching five solid innings.

As the ninth inning was about to begin, “Enter Sandman” played over the sound system as legendary closer Mariano Rivera came in to close the game. After Rivera pitched a scoreless ninth inning to secure the Yankees’ victory, Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” played throughout the stadium for the final time.

With the fans staying put in their seats after the conclusion of the game, captain Derek Jeter addressed the fans, offering some parting words as the team was about to move on to its new stadium in 2009:

It’s crazy to think that nine years have passed by so quickly. Although it is no longer standing, the memories that were made at the old Yankee Stadium will truly never be forgotten, as many people have been impacted by this special place.

 

  1. After the ugly renovation, the old Yankee Stadium stopped being the same classy, revered baseball palace of years past. Like so many others kids of my generation and those who passed through the gates before and after, it had so many memories attached to it, not merely sports but special times shared with family, particularly boys and their fathers. My own rite of passage was on a Saturday afternoon in 1957 against the Cleveland Indians. I recall emerging through the tunnel for the very first time and being in awe of the vivid green of the grass, brown of the infield dirt, the smell of hot dogs, mustard, beer and cigar smoke wafting through the stands. Then, the following year, thanks to a chance meeting between my father and the great photographer and artist Robert Riger, I was given the opportunity, however brief, to shake the hand of my then boyhood hero, MM. How can one replicate such experiences? No new glitzy replacement can ever substitute for the old place, no matter its state of disrepair after 85 years of incredible baseball history. Those memories will remain with me to my last breathe. RIP, Yankee Stadium I. It was a great run.

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