Yankee Stadium opened for business on April 18, 1923. Except for the 1974-1975 season, when it was being renovated, the Yankees have played every home game for the past 83 years there. After the end of the 2008 season, The House That Ruth Built will be no more. The Yankees are building a new stadium.
The proposed $800 million ballpark for the New York Yankees received final regulatory approval this week, clearing the way for the club to start construction atop two parks across the street from the existing stadium.
Yankees officials said they hoped to begin building the 53,000-seat structure by the end of summer.
Construction will involve paving over large portions of Macombs Dam Park and Mullaly Park and cutting down about 400 mature oak trees. The stadium is scheduled to open in 2009.
While I’m sure the new stadium will be spectacular, its sad to see all these old ballparks being turned to rubble.
The title of the post, by the way, refers to this song, which I think may be the best song ever written about baseball.
And there used to be a ballpark where the field was warm and green
And the people played their crazy game with a joy I’d never seen
And the air was such a wonder from the hot dogs and the beer
Yes, there used a ballpark right hereAnd there used to be rock candy and a great big Fourth of July
With the fireworks exploding all across the summer sky
And the people watched in wonder, how they’d laugh and how they’d cheer
And there used to be a ballpark right hereNow the children try to find it
And they can’t believe their eyes
`cause the old team just isn’t playing
And the new team hardly triesAnd the sky has got so cloudy
When it used to be so clear
And the summer went so quickly this yearYes, there used to be a ballpark right here
