Will it Be Hockey to End Yankee Stadium?

Ruth may have built it, but it sounds like Lundqvist will close it. At least if a rumored game between the Rangers and Red Wings at Yankee Stadium comes to fruition. Some stories say the deal is done, while others say the talks are just preliminary, but the idea is already polarizing the area.

The NHL had a very successful (for it) outdoor game this past New Year’s Day in Buffalo. But, while Yankee Stadium has held NFL championships, prizewinning fights and papal Masses, it is a baseball park first and for the last event ever played there to be hockey seems wrong.

But, this seems to make too much sense from all sides not to happen. Since the Yankees would no longer have to worry about the condition of the field, they have no reason to block the game and they might want to make one last payday on the old place before the new one opens. The NHL, Rangers and Red Wings shouldn’t have any objections since they get to play in front of a huge crowd and gain a lot of exposure. So, that leaves us with one question, did some people make a mistake buying tickets to the last “game” at Yankee Stadium?

Photo of Yankee Stadium by wallyg on flickr; illustration by Gothamist

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Peter Trinkle in News on March 11, 2008 10:37 AM

Comments [rss]

EricGewiz

I think the Yankees shoudl have the last game in their own stadium. However, it further promotes the honor it is to play in Yankee Stadium. If the NHL was to choose any outdoor site in NY (other than say, Central Park's Great Lawn?), this is the best option. I hope its Rangers-Isles and not Rangers-any Orig Six Team. The Rangers-Isles rivalry is as intense as any other valid rivalry in the sport, and I think it's better and more active than the Rangers-Devils rivalry.

Guest

Thank you to Politburo for pointing out the mistake the author made in writing this article.

That's the problem with journalism nowadays. Too much opinion and not enough fact.

Karen

GEt an outdoor hockey game! The one at the Ralph was a BLAST! YEah, it was cold, it snowed, but we had a friggin' riot!

Ben K

The idea's been polarizing the area since it was first announced in January. Peter Abraham isn't the first Yankee blogger to write about this issue. I'm fairly certain that RAB was.

drewo

Might as well add the Pink Floyd reunion show while the joint is still standing.

JenChungsBaby

Don't tear the place down and just let the Rangers play there indefinitely. Let every Rangers home game be outdoors.

Politburo

"The NHL had a very successful (for it) outdoor game this past New Year’s Day in Buffalo"

Over 71,000 people attended the game. That's successful for just about any league.