Danielle Azoulay
Staff Reporter
Baseball’s Cathedral, The House that Ruth Built, Home of the Bronx Bombers, Yankee Stadium– one of the greatest sports complexes of all time closed its doors.
On Sunday September 21, after 85 years, the New York Yankees played their final game at the current stadium.
Senior Dana Morini, a native of New York and life long Yankee fan, was in attendance that day.
“For me it was kind of emotional,” said Morini, who was left somewhat speechless when asked to describe how it felt to be there for the final game.
“Sure it was a little grimy, but that’s what made it Yankee Stadium,” she said.
“It’s surreal, the whole Yankee Stadium, especially if you are a fan. It captivates you, looking out onto the skyline. It was sad we didn’t want the game to end,” Morini said, “I think the most emotional thing was when players like Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera threw their last pitch and Derek Jeter had his last at bat. Everybody would start cheering because it was their last time, and the players would come back out and wave their hat.”
In a speech made after the game Yankee captain and shortstop Derek Jeter said, “?although things are going to change next year, we’re going to move across the street, there are a few things with the New York Yankees that will never change: that’s pride, tradition, and most of all we have the greatest fans in the world. We are relying on you to take the memories from this stadium add them to the new memories that come at the new Yankee Stadium and continue to pass them on form generation to generation.”
Sure tradition and memories can be passed on but what about the history?
Orioles First Baseman Kevin Millar was quoted on ESPN saying, “What an honor is has been to hit in the same batters box as Babe Ruth and all the great old Yankee players.”
Just about every great player to have ever played the game has stepped foot onto Yankee Stadium. If baseball is “America’s pastime,” should Yankee Stadium be made a national landmark?
Morini thinks so.
The stadium has been home not only to baseball, but several other sporting events, such as the Giants’ football games from 1956-1973, and the Notre Dame vs. Army football game where the “win one for the Gipper” speech took place. The stadium had hosted numerous boxing fights, including Muhammad Ali vs. Ken Norton, Jack Dempsey vs. Jack Sharkey, and Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling.
Other major events at Yankee Stadium include visits by Pope Paul VI, which was the first visit by a pope to North America, Pope John Paul II, and Pope Benedict XVI, the filming of at least 18 films such as Pride of the Yankees, The Babe Ruth Story, Major League, The Scout, Little Big League, Die Hard with a Vengeance, For Love of the Game, and Anger Management.
Many people enjoyed concerts at the stadium; concerts included Billy Joel, U2, Pink Floyd, and Paul Simon.
The rumors of what is actually going to happen to the stadium have ranged from it being turn into a parking lot to it being preserved donated to the city in efforts to give back to the Bronx to host events such as the NY high school baseball state championships.
Personally I feel that demolishing such an incredible place would be a horrendous act. To me, a lifelong diehard fan of the Yankees and baseball in general, Yankee Stadium is sacred ground. Like many other fans I hope that the House that Ruth built is persevered so I can on day show my children where Mickey Mantle and Lou Gehrig played, and where the pope visited.