Wednesday, June 15, 2005
New Yankee Stadium
The Yanks are set to announce the construction of a new stadium today at 4pm Eastern Time. From everything I've read, they'll build this ballpark with the original 1923 design in mind but will keep today's field dimensions so that it won't become the cavernous pitcher's park it was for the first 53 years of its life. Personally, I can't wait to catch a ballgame at the new Yankee Stadium in 2009. I'll be the first in line that day.
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6 comments:
I agree, its more than a little bit sad to think that the actual turf where Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, Mantle, Reggie and the rest of the Yankee greats ran around won't be at the new place. I wish there was another way around it but there just isn't. Eventually even Fenway and Wrigley will be replaced. It's just how it goes.
The new place won't be called "The House That Giambi Built" since all he's done is bring shame to the Pinstripes. As for going into our new home with a curse on our heads, that curse dies with Steinbrenner and Cashman. If we just used our market power with some semblance of logic, we'd go back to winning. In the meantime, even Babe's house can't insulate us from the mistakes named Giambi, Mussina, Womack, Wright and Pavano (among many, many others).
Look if the new Yankees stadium doesn't work out , they'll just build another one. Is there any New York team, sans the Knickers, not getting a new stadium?
Other than the Knicks/Rangers and Islanders, it seems they're handing out stadiums to everyone around here. The Mets and Yanks announced new stadium deals this week and the Giants announced their new stadium in late spring. The Jets, who were supposed to get the West Side stadium are now in negotiations with the Giants to get a piece of that new park when it opens.
However, before all the haters out there start bashing NY for its apparent wealth and capricious way with money, need I remind my Cleveland friend that "The New American City" (as Cleveland likes to be called) has 3 new stadiums as well? Gund, The Jake and Browns Stadium are all 11 years old or younger. If any city needs new facilities, it's NYC. Our YOUNGEST stadium was built in the 70's (Giants Stadium) and that's not even in NY State.
Both baseball teams in NYC deserve to play in world-class, modern facilities that will generate greater revenues. The greatest indicator of cache and prestige for a ballpark, the Midsummer Classic, hasn't been in NY since the Yanks hosted in 1977 and has only been to Shea once, in 1964 when its doors opened. Hell, the MLB All-Star game has been everywhere (and some places TWICE -- San Diego, Seattle, Houston, Comiskey and Cleveland) since 1977.
I guess if the Yankees build a new stadium, there will be only three of the old time stadiums left. Fenway, Wrigley and Dodger will be the last of the old time places. I personally enjoy the cookie cutter stadiums such as Three Rivers, Busch and Riverfront. Many a memories of watching a juiced up McGwire crack the shit out of the ball, or sitting next to Marge Schott with her dog (Schottzy) licking my face or her ashing on my lap. Ah the great memories of the old ballparks.
Woa there. No bashing for New York for their wealth or they way they spend it. I can do that with your state government far easier. I have no problem with private businesses building things. As long as tax payers don't end up footing the bill ala Baltimore you guys could build a new stadium every week. I just wouldn't want to drive anywhere near NYC with (and I'm guessing here) even more traffic problems.
To play devil's advocate for a moment, I don't think that private enterprise should foot 100% of the bill on facility construction. There should be a pay-to-play mentality on both sides of the coin -- team owners make a killing off new ballparks but citizens and governments derive benefits from them too and should contribute accordingly. The biggest flaw in the West Side Stadium wasn't that it was going to be partially subsidized but that it was being subsized at such great expense.
The Yanks and Mets are privately financing their ballparks for selfish reasons -- money spent on facility construction is no longer eligible for revenue sharing. They're not doing it out of a sense of responsibility. Fortunately for NY and its citizens, we're getting 2 great new parks for free.
PS -- Didn't mean to seem angry Mike. The written word doesn't always convey tone that well.
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