THE REAL LJ IDOL SEASON 7 WEEK 13 -- INSIDE BASEBALL
LOST LEGEND
"Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone?
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot."
-- Big Yellow Taxi
--- Joni Mitchell
I stare at the ruined ground where Yankee Stadium used to stand... and my heart grieves. I avert my eyes from the modern monstrosity across the street which shares its name, and gaze upon the now devastated spot where history once was made. Legends walked there: Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, Stengel, Mantle, Maris...
Nothing remains of that wondrous hall. Nothing but debris.
The old stadium was the first of its kind in many ways, and truly iconic. Built in 1923, it held twice as many seats as most other stadiums of its day, and was the first to feature three-tiered seating. Yankee management was able to justify the extreme expense of such a huge arena because of the drawing power of their superstar slugger... and thus it truly was "The House That Ruth Built".
In its 85 years of existence, Yankee Stadium hosted 6,581 regular season baseball game, along with 161 postseason games and exactly 100 World Series games. Three "perfect games" were pitched there, as well as seven no-hitters. Time prevents me from listing all the amazing baseball plays that took place during that time.
And stepping away from baseball for a moment: Yankee Stadium was the original home for the New York Giants football team. Knute Rockne gave his "win one for the Gipper" speech at the Notre Dame-Army game held there in 1928. The stadium even hosted boxing matches: Jack Dempsey, Joe Louis, Max Baer, Rocky Graziano, Sugar Ray Robinson and Muhammad Ali all fought title bouts there.
Three popes celebrated mass at Yankee Stadium. An official memorial service for victims of the 9/11 attacks was held there. Don't tell me it's not hallowed ground.
Time marches forward. Things fall apart. I know the stadium aged badly... but they had renovated it before. I have to wonder if The-Powers-That-Be gave any real consideration to trying to fix the old place up. And even if it couldn't be used as a sports stadium anymore, it could have easily served as a museum. Did anyone even try to contact the Baseball Hall of Fame?
They say in a year or two the shattered earth that the stadium stood upon will be transformed into parkland. Its proposed name is Heritage Field. I ask you: Is this how you would preserve your heritage?
I heave a sigh and walk away, doing my best to avoid looking at the "New Yankee Stadium" across the road. I've heard horror stories about how lousy the seating arrangements are in the new place, and how certain parts of the building are already showing signs of wear. And the ticket prices are nothing short of highway robbery. But it wouldn't matter if you put pre-paid tickets for box seats in my hand; I've already decided that I am never setting foot in the place. Never.
After all, I'm a lifelong Mets fan. No way am I rubbing shoulders with those damned Yankee bastards!