Yankee Stadium
Ok, before I start let’s make a couple of things clear:
1) I did not go to the old stadium
2) I have absolutely nothing against the NY Yankees (NYY are viewed in America in a similar way to Man Utd in England)
3) I am not a baseball historian, nor do I have a great knowledge of the history of the game
4) I take no pleasure out of what you are about to read, as the Yankees are one of the most famous names in world sports (and rightly so).
Right, with that out of the way, I have a question to the Yankees…….What on earth were you thinking of? $1.5 billion and you build that?
I get what you were trying to achieve, reproduce the old stadium (defined as a jewel box stadium) just with more room, more boxes, more revenue generation, but why?
Old stadiums have an appeal (especially to people like me) because they are old. But you wouldn’t choose to build them like that. Highbury was a wonderful old stadium, but Arsenal would have dreamt of building Art Deco stands at Ashburton Grove. No, they built a wonderful modern stadium, every bit as unique as their old one. The same at Wembley.
All you have built here is an outdated looking stadium, just bigger (although, ironically with less seats).
In no particular order of things I dislike:
1) The bleachers look totally out of place, not only in the stadium but in 2011
2) The scoreboard and surrounds lacks any character
3) The white gables, whilst an icon on the back wall of the old stadium, look ridiculous hanging down from the roof (just like the Wembley Towers, they belonged to the old stadium not the new)
4) The granite surround of the stadium looks completely detached from the inside of the stadium.
5) Monument park; sorry just don’t get it. Put it outside so everyone can see it. It looks more like a memorial of the departed stuck out in centre field than a celebration of Yankee greats.
There are some good aspects, the steepness of the stands offer good views, love the flags flying around the roof showing the standings in each league and I’m glad the elevated subway remains (unlike at the Gardens in Boston).
And of course, with the stadium built next to the old one, the local bars remain. If you do go, make sure you try out the Yankee Tavern on East 161st street, just up from the subway; highlight of my visit.
But there is no aura about the place. No goose bumps on arrival and seeing the “Yankee Stadium” sign. The Great Hall looks like a big corridor with a few flags of ex-players (which is exactly what it is!). The limestone exterior, which mirrors the old exterior, again looks like what it is, a 1920’s idea.
It is a great shame. The Yankees spend big and expect the best, and with 27 World Series and 40 American League Championships it is fair to say they often deliver. This time they spent big but failed to deliver.
Yankees 4-2 Orioles 31/07/11
1) I did not go to the old stadium
2) I have absolutely nothing against the NY Yankees (NYY are viewed in America in a similar way to Man Utd in England)
3) I am not a baseball historian, nor do I have a great knowledge of the history of the game
4) I take no pleasure out of what you are about to read, as the Yankees are one of the most famous names in world sports (and rightly so).
Right, with that out of the way, I have a question to the Yankees…….What on earth were you thinking of? $1.5 billion and you build that?
I get what you were trying to achieve, reproduce the old stadium (defined as a jewel box stadium) just with more room, more boxes, more revenue generation, but why?
Old stadiums have an appeal (especially to people like me) because they are old. But you wouldn’t choose to build them like that. Highbury was a wonderful old stadium, but Arsenal would have dreamt of building Art Deco stands at Ashburton Grove. No, they built a wonderful modern stadium, every bit as unique as their old one. The same at Wembley.
All you have built here is an outdated looking stadium, just bigger (although, ironically with less seats).
In no particular order of things I dislike:
1) The bleachers look totally out of place, not only in the stadium but in 2011
2) The scoreboard and surrounds lacks any character
3) The white gables, whilst an icon on the back wall of the old stadium, look ridiculous hanging down from the roof (just like the Wembley Towers, they belonged to the old stadium not the new)
4) The granite surround of the stadium looks completely detached from the inside of the stadium.
5) Monument park; sorry just don’t get it. Put it outside so everyone can see it. It looks more like a memorial of the departed stuck out in centre field than a celebration of Yankee greats.
There are some good aspects, the steepness of the stands offer good views, love the flags flying around the roof showing the standings in each league and I’m glad the elevated subway remains (unlike at the Gardens in Boston).
And of course, with the stadium built next to the old one, the local bars remain. If you do go, make sure you try out the Yankee Tavern on East 161st street, just up from the subway; highlight of my visit.
But there is no aura about the place. No goose bumps on arrival and seeing the “Yankee Stadium” sign. The Great Hall looks like a big corridor with a few flags of ex-players (which is exactly what it is!). The limestone exterior, which mirrors the old exterior, again looks like what it is, a 1920’s idea.
It is a great shame. The Yankees spend big and expect the best, and with 27 World Series and 40 American League Championships it is fair to say they often deliver. This time they spent big but failed to deliver.
Yankees 4-2 Orioles 31/07/11