Yankees Say Good-Bye to House That Ruth Built

The Yankees closed Yankee Stadium last night with a star-studded pregame ceremony that ranged from poignant to super cheesy. Dressing up actors as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and other deceased Yankees was ridiculous, but seeing Yogi Berra standing at home plate and wearing his uniform was great.

Don Larsen and Whitey Ford helped themselves to some dirt from the pitcher’s mound and Willie Randolph ignited the crowd by sliding into second base. The Murcer family introduction was very emotional and the biggest cheers of the night went to Bernie Williams who made his first appearance back at Yankee Stadium since his career ended and Babe Ruth’s daughter threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

And before the pregame ceremony and game, fans were allowed to walk onto the field at Yankee Stadium. Reader Peter took video of the massive line of fans waiting for that moment. He writes, "This was the scene at 4pm when the line extended all the way from the field, up the switchback staircases to the top level, all the way across the top level and down the other side."

Last Game at Yankee Stadium, the Line for the Field from Peter Knox on Vimeo.

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

By Peter Trinkle in News on September 22, 2008 11:21 AM

Comments [rss]

NannyState

Exactly, #3.

JMH

"Anyone also notice nobody gives a damn about Shea Stadium being gone next year?"

Many of us do.

Kojak

Yankee stadium is but a shadow of its former self. Now its as tacky and bland as Shea. Knock it down already.

cobalt420

Goodbye House that Ruth built....

Hello House that Greed built.

Steven

I know the economic reasons for building a new stadium, but if this stadium is so great then why build a new one?

The Red Sox organization stopped plans for a new Fenway Park and decided to keep their own ballpark, why aren't the Yankees able to do the same?

Guarantee next season the media will be milking the new stadium. Anyone also notice nobody gives a damn about Shea Stadium being gone next year?

whitecastlerock

Please, enough with the demise of Yankee Stadium. No one forced them to build a new stadium. This pomp and circumstance is absolute bullshit.

zoofroy

"Dressing up actors as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and other deceased Yankees was ridiculous."

Agreed. When they first said they were bringing back Yankees from the past (I'm paraphrasing here), I thought "Cool, they've finally got a re-animation machine. Bring out the zombie baseball players!"