The Quadrangle

Issue date: 10/1/08 Section: Sports

photo courtesy of wstm.com

As I made my way to Yankee Stadium for the final time, I reminiscenced about all the history that has taken place at 161st Street and River Ave. Baseball, football, boxing and even visits from the Pope have been seen at this stadium. Then I began to think about my personal memories at the Stadium. It still feels like yesterday, 15 years ago to the day, when my dad took me to see the Pinstripes for the first time. I fell in love with my favorite team and sport. I have traveled to the Stadium hundreds of times since then, but today felt different.
I strolled into the Stadium and an eerie feeling overcame me. It felt like I was walking hand in hand with Gehrig, Mantle and Munson. I entered Gate 6 and was handed a magnet and postcard size painting of the Stadium, a small gesture the Yankees could give to the 54,610 fans in attendance. I arrived at my seats and watched batting practice. My brothers and I would stand along the left field wall during this time and pray to the baseball gods that we would catch a ball.
The pre-game ceremonies began with the unveiling of the first banner ever to fly in Yankee Stadium. The fragile 1922 American League Championship banner was stretched out in the bleachers directly behind centerfield. Actors walked out one by one to the outfield each representing a player from the starting lineup from the first Yankee game ever played at the Stadium on April 18, 1923. Yankee icons also took the field in the ceremony. Legends that passed away were represented by their children and wives. To cap it off, the U.S. Army Field Band performed the National Anthem, the same band that had performed 85 years earlier on opening day. Then, Julia Ruth Stevens, Babe Ruth's daughter, threw out the first pitch to Jorge Posada.
When the game began it was like any other regular season game in the Stadium's rich history. To get a better feel for the Stadium, I took a final walk, still watching the game, but soaking in the emotions of the fans. I overheard a father explaining to his son what the purpose of the warning track was. No words could describe the crowd when Johnny Damon hit his home run during the third inning. The game continued, and the crowd resented every out because it meant that the final game in the cathedral of sports was closing in. Ronan Tynan sang "God Bless America" during the 7th inning stretch and the whole stadium sang along in unison.

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