THE CLASSIC BALLPARKS OF
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
YANKEE STADIUM I
*** The ballpark featured in this post is the original, classic, pre-renovated Yankee Stadium that was in operation from 1923-1973. This post will not focus on the post-renovation, Reggie Jackson and Derek Jeter era ballpark which was less unique, less distinctive, less iconic, and lacked the beauty, and unique character of the original ballpark, in my opinion.
ORIGINAL ADDRESS
1 East 161st Street
The Bronx. New York, NY
BALLPARK FACTS
Date Opened: Wednesday, April 18, 1923
Date of Last Game: Sunday, September 30, 1973
BALLPARK DIMENSIONS
Left Field Foul Pole: 295 ft.
Left Field: 301 ft.
Left Center Field Power Alley: 457 ft.
Center Field: 490 ft.
Right Center Field: 461 ft.
Right Field: 296 ft.
Seating Capacity: 67,000
HOME TEAMS
New York Yankees (MLB) (1923-1973)
New York Giants (NFL) (1956-1973)
New York Black Yankees (Negro Leagues) (1934, 1941-1948)
BALLPARK QUIRKS
* The original Yankee Stadium was the first Major League ballpark that had three tiers of seating, which made it a much larger structure than any other ballpark in baseball at that time. Because of its enormous size, it was the first ballpark to be called a "Stadium."
* The original Yankee Stadium had one of the deepest center field areas of any ballpark in baseball history. With left center field at 457 ft., and a 490 ft. center field, the original ballpark was extremely unfriendly to right-handed hitters, and was notoriously known as "Death Valley." As a result of playing all of his home games here, Joe Dimaggio, an all-time great power hitter, finished his career with the relatively low total of 361 career home runs.
* In 1932, the Yankees erected a granite monument honoring their recently deceased manager Miller Huggins, and placed the monument in front of the center field wall. During the 1940s, they would add monuments to Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. Due to their location in front of the wall, balls reaching the monument area were in play.
* A 15-foot wide underground cement vault was built underneath second base that housed electrical and telephone equipment for use when setting up the stadium for boxing matches.
* Nicknamed "The House That Ruth Built," Yankee Stadium, from its inception, was designed to take advantage of their left-handed power hitters Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. Consequently, the ballpark was built with a very short distance to the right field wall. Even after the ballpark's renovation and the team's eventual move to a new ballpark, the Yankees have always maintained the "short porch" in right field, and has continued to stock its lineups with an abundance of left-handed power hitters.
* The large white building that was visible in the distance beyond the right center field area of the ballpark was the Bronx Courthouse.
* Fans seated in the lower bowl of the ballpark had the added bonus of being able to walk on and experience being on the playing field after games. The exit gates were underneath the outfield walls, and in order to get to them, fans actually walked across the field to leave the ballpark.
* The most distinctive and iconic feature of the original Yankee Stadium was the decorative frieze that ringed the roof of the ballpark. Made of copper, the frieze originally had a green hue that matched the upper deck seats. In the early 1960s, the frieze was painted white. The frieze was permanently removed during the ballpark's renovation in 1974-75 and was only re-created behind the center field hitting background. Due to fan insistence, however, the full frieze was brought back for the new Yankee Stadium which opened in 2009.
New York's new baseball palace is under construction, and will be called Yankee Stadium. The ballpark took only 10 1/2 months to be completed.
November, 1922
Fans arrive for the grand opening of the new Yankee Stadium.
Wednesday, April 18, 1923
A standing room only opening day crowd of 74,200 packs the new Yankee Stadium to see Babe Ruth hit a 3rd inning two-run homer as the Yankees christened their new ballpark with a 4-1 win over the Boston Red Sox.
Wednesday, April 18, 1923
Forced to prematurely leave the game he loved because of an illness that would take his life months later, a physically deteriorating Lou Gehrig, arguably the greatest first baseman in Major League Baseball history, prepares to address a packed Yankee Stadium crowd of more than 72,000 on Lou Gehrig Day.
New York City Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia congratulates Lou Gehrig during the Lou Gehrig Day ceremony at Yankee Stadium.
A massive crowd of nearly 75,000 packs Yankee Stadium for arguably the most anticipated and important fight of the 20th Century as heavyweight champion Joe Louis meets former champion Max Schmeling in a rematch of their 1936 fight where Schmeling scored a stunning upset by knocking out the fast-rising and seemingly unbeatable Louis. The fight was billed as a battle of good vs evil, pitting the quiet and dignified Louis representing the causes of good, against the feared German Schmeling who represented darkness and evil at a time when Adolph Hitler and his Nazi army were beginning their military conquest of western Europe in the days just before the onset of World War II.
After a brutal and withering attack that began virtually from the opening bell, Joe Louis knocks out Max Schmeling at two minutes of the first round to retain his title, and setting off wild celebrations in the streets of small towns and large cities all over America, particularly in Black communities.
In a battle of future Hall of Famers, Cleveland's Bob Feller faces Joe Dimaggio on his way to completing the second no-hitter of his career as he shuts down the Yankees 1-0 at Yankee Stadium. This was the first face-off between the two superstars after returning from World War II military service.
Joe Dimaggio, Sr. looks after Joe Dimaggio, Jr. after taking batting practice before a game with the Detroit Tigers.
A dying, cancer-ravaged Babe Ruth delivers a farewell address to more than 70,000 fans who've packed Yankee Stadium to see the iconic Hall of Famer one final time on Babe Ruth Day. He passed away a year later at the age of 53.
It's standing room only as nearly 74,000 fans pack Yankee Stadium for Game 1 of the 1947 World Series between Joe Dimaggio and the Yankees and National League Rookie of the Year Jackie Robinson and the Brooklyn Dodgers. The Yankees would win the Series in seven close, tension-filled games.
Tuesday, September 30, 1947
The iconic frieze of Yankee Stadium is on display in all its glory, and lined with Yankee championship banners for all to see during Game 1 of the 1949 World Series.
Wednesday, October 5, 1949
Joe DiMaggio awaits a pitch during an afternoon game with the Cleveland Indians.
Yankee players engage in pregame warm-ups before Game 1 of the 1953 World Series against the National League champion Brooklyn Dodgers.
Wednesday, September 30, 1953
Brooklyn Dodgers starting pitcher Carl Erskine prepares the mound for competition before the bottom of the first inning of Game 6 of the 1953 World Series.
It's a warm, pleasant midsummer night in New York City and the baseball fans of the city are in heaven because they have not one, not two, but three pennant-contending teams. On this rarest of occurrences, both the Giants and the Yankees are in town, and are both playing home night games simultaneously. In the smaller ballpark on the upper left, the Giants are playing in the Polo Grounds. Just a few miles to the south, across the Harlem River, the Yankees are playing at Yankee Stadium.
Take a Mantle's Eye View of the infield as Mickey Mantle prepares to shag flies during pregame batting practice before a game against the Detroit Tigers.
A view of center field, right center field, and some of the business buildings of the Bronx as seen from the third base side, upper deck seats. These views would be forever lost after the mid-1970s renovation of the ballpark.
Whitey Ford delivers the first pitch of the game to Dodger leadoff man Jim Gilliam as the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Yankees square off in the World Series for the sixth time in fifteen years at a jam-packed Yankee Stadium.
Wednesday, September 28, 1955
With the Yankees leading 5-4 in the top of the 8th inning, Jackie Robinson stuns the packed house at Yankee Stadium as well as the Yankees defense as he takes a sudden dash to home plate.....
He bypasses batter Don Bessent and performs a perfectly executed hook slide, eluding the tag of Yogi Berra.......
And is called safe to tie the critical Game 6 at 5-5, and successfully completes one of the most fearless, daring, and controversial plays in World Series history. 70 years later, the argument still rages as to whether he was out or safe.
Wednesday, September 28, 1955
Excited Yankee fans and not so happy Dodger fans enjoy on-field views of Yankee Stadium as they head for the exits after watching the Yankees beat the Dodgers 4-2 in Game 2 of the 1955 World Series.
Thursday, September 29, 1955
A view of center field and buildings of the south Bronx could be seen from the stands in the right field upper deck. This particular scene comes from a game against the Boston Red Sox on the final day of the 1956 season. Notice that in the old Yankee Stadium, the flag pole and the monuments were in front of the center field wall.
Sunday, September 30, 1956
Able to generate tremendous power from either side of the plate, Mickey Mantle hits from the right side against Kansas City A's lefty starter Jack McMahan. In the middle of the greatest and possibly healthiest season of his career, the 25 year old Mantle finished the year with 132 runs scored, 52 home runs, 130 runs driven in, and a batting average of .353, good enough to earn him the Triple Crown, and the first of his three American League MVP Awards.
Starting pitcher Don Larsen fires in the first pitch of the historic Game 5 of the 1956 World Series to Dodger leadoff man Jim Gilliam.
Yogi Berra leaps into the arms of Don Larsen after his strikeout of Dodger pinch hitter Dale Mitchell, making Larsen the first and only pitcher to throw a perfect game in World Series history. The no-hitter also gave the Yankees a 3 games to 2 advantage over Brooklyn.
Chicago Bears founder and head coach, the legendary George Halas, watches the action from the sidelines as his Bears battle the New York Giants for the NFL championship at Yankee Stadium.
Sunday, December 30, 1956
Giants halfback Frank Gifford gains rushing yardage against the Chicago Bears defense in the second half of the 1956 NFL championship game. The Giants had the foresight to wear Converse sneakers for the game instead of cleats, which gave them a huge advantage over the Bears in maneuvering on the frozen Yankee Stadium turf. The Giants used this advantage to hammer the Bears 47-7 in one of the most lopsided victories in championship game history.
Sunday, December 30, 1956
Watching the game from the opposite sideline to Coach Halas was the New York Giants coaching staff, featuring head coach Jim Lee Howell (c), defensive coordinator Tom Landry (l), and offensive coordinator Vince Lombardi (r). Both Landry and Lombardi are considered among the greatest coaches in professional sports history.
Sunday, December 30, 1956
Before turning the Green Bay Packers into one of the greatest dynasties in sports history, the legendary Vince Lombardi got his NFL start directing the New York Giants offense. Here he oversees the offensive unit in a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Yankee Stadium.
Starting pitcher Bob Turley warms up before the second game of a doubleheader against the Washington Senators. Turley, one of the better American League pitchers during the 1950s, didn't have it on this afternoon, and was knocked out of the game in the first inning.
Fans with a view from the box seats watch Whitey Ford challenge Milwaukee Braves leadoff man Johnny Logan in the first inning of Game 1 of the 1957 World Series. Ford outdueled a fellow future Hall of Famer, Warren Spahn to win Game 1, but Henry Aaron and the Braves upset the heavily favored Yankees 4 games to 3 to claim the championship.
Wednesday, October 2, 1957
The New York Giants offense huddles in their own end zone during the 1958 NFL championship game at Yankee Stadium. The first NFL championship game to be televised on network television (CBS), and the first championship game to go into sudden death overtime, the 1958 title game almost single-handedly skyrocketed the popularity of professional football, and is considered to be the most important game in league history.
Sunday, December 28, 1958
Giants fullback Mel Triplett speeds past Baltimore Colts defensive end, future Hall of Famer Gino Marchetti (#89) for a short gain during the 1958 NFL championship game at Yankee Stadium. In 1958, Mel Triplett was the sports hero of an 11 year old Harlem 6th grader and Giants fan named Lewis Alcindor. When he started his organized basketball journey a year later, the young Alcindor chose Triplett's #33 as his jersey number, and he would proudly wear that number for the next thirty years as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
25 year old, second year quarterback Johnny Unitas throws downfield against the New York Giants defense. In the game that put him in the national spotlight for the first time, Unitas would lead the Colts to three 4th quarter scoring drives, and to the game winning score in the first championship game in NFL history to go into sudden death overtime. Unitas would go on to lead the Colts to three NFL championships, win three NFL MVP Awards, and be selected as the greatest quarterback of the NFL's first fifty years.
Sunday, December 28, 1958
Roger Maris crosses the plate after hitting his historic 61st home run of the season, which broke the single season home run record that had been held by Babe Ruth since 1927. Maris' spectacular home run barrage paved the way for him to win his second consecutive American League MVP Award. His home run record would stand for 37 years until it was broken by Mark McGwire in 1998.
Giants quarterback Y.A. Tittle looks for a receiver during a game against the Detroit Lions at Yankee Stadium in a game the Giants would win 17-14. Tittle was one of four Giants players on this team to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, along with defensive tackle Andy Robustelli, linebacker Sam Huff, and halfback Frank Gifford.
Sandy Koufax delivers one of his overpowering fastballs to a Yankee hitter during Game 1 of the 1963 World Series. Koufax would set an all-time World Series record for strikeouts in a single game with 15. He would also be named Series MVP after leading the Dodgers to a stunning four game sweep over the heavily favored Yankees.
Wednesday, October 2, 1963
For multiple generations, Yankee fans throughout the New York metropolitan area made their way to the Bronx on the Interborough Rapid Transit (IRT) train. Wherever their trek to the ballpark may have started, they would eventually wind up here, at the 161st Street subway platform, and after embarking from the train, they would find themselves "face-to-face" with arguably, the most iconic sports venue in American history. Here's what fans would see at the 161st Street stop in 1963.
Fans arriving to Yankee Stadium on the Interborough Rapid Transit train would be greeted with this breathtaking view of the historic baseball palace from the 161st Street subway platform. These wonderful views would live only in memory for those fortunate enough to have seen them after the ballpark's renovation in the mid-1970s.
The great Mickey Mantle waits for a final warmup pitch before stepping into the box in a game against the Chicago White Sox.
Giants halfback, future Hall of Famer Frank Gifford, is introduced to the Yankee Stadium crowd before a late-season game against the Cleveland Browns.
Saturday, December 12, 1964
The great Jim Brown struggles for yardage against his arch rivals the New York Giants. Two weeks later, Brown would lead the Browns to a 27-0 blowout of the Baltimore Colts in Cleveland for the only NFL championship of his career.
Saturday, December 12, 1964
Taking a much-needed and well deserved rest, the legendary Jim Brown watches the action early in the 4th quarter of a late-season game against the Giants at Yankee Stadium. In a move to keep him fresh for the postseason, Brown was used sparingly as the Browns, two weeks away from an NFL championship, hammered the Giants 52-20. While in the game, Brown gained 99 yards on 20 carries.
Saturday, December 12, 1964
With a battered body ravaged by countless serious injuries, the great Mickey Mantle chose to retire after the 1968 season. Without a chance to say goodbye during his final year in uniform, an overflow crowd of nearly 72,000 packed Yankee Stadium for Mickey Mantle Day a year later. After a preliminary ceremony featuring introductions of his former teammates and managers, Mantle took to the microphone to speak. He was finally able to address the crowd after a thundering standing ovation that lasted more than eight minutes. Mantle finished his career with seven world championship rings, 20 All-Star Game selections, a lifetime .298 batting average, and 536 home runs, good for 4th on the all-time list at the time of his retirement.
A pregame look at Yankee Stadium before a holiday doubleheader against the California Angels.
Yankee Stadium is packed for a holiday doubleheader against the California Angels, in one of the last sellout crowds the old ballpark would hold before its final game on September 30, 1973. The Yankees would share Shea Stadium with the Mets during the 1974 and 1975 seasons while the original Yankee Stadium underwent a total renovation. Yankee Stadium II would open to the public on Thursday, April 15, 1976 with a game against the Minnesota Twins.
Tuesday, July 4, 1972
One of the last looks at grand old Yankee Stadium came from the Al Pacino movie Serpico from 1973 from which this movie still comes.
