Out With The Old by Barbara Quinn

I spent a pleasant afternoon heading down to the Bronx for a tour of the old Yankee Stadium. The Stadium had its last official game in Sept. 2008, but they’ve continued offering tours of the grand old place. Luckily, they opened up some new tour dates and I was able to score four tickets. So off I went with my husband, son, and son’s brother-in-law to see the place before they begin dismantling it and selling off whatever they can.

The tour took us into the Press Box where we were able to sit and see the game the way the press does, from right above home plate. Then we wandered around in Monument Park visiting the plaques of the honored players and greats who have spent time at the stadium. We walked on the warning track out into the outfield, something they never allow fans to do. What a different perspective you get from center field. That ball really does get hit far! And the wall that you see the players crash into may be padded now, but it’s ridiculously hard. (Yeah, we all tried it out.) After that we went into the players dugout where we sat on the bench. Finally, we landed in the clubhouse, the inner sanctum of the sport, the place you always see them shaking and exploding champagne, the place the players store their things. Each player has an area which is more of a big cubbie than a locker. Former Captain Thurman Munson’s area remains hauntingly empty ever since he died in a tragic plane crash in 1979.

Tattered Yankee Stadium definitely has seen better days and I’m sure the new stadium which we walked by, and which is almost complete, will be terrific, shiny and new. But there’s something sad about leaving behind all the history that’s been made at the old stadium, not just in baseball. Jou Louis slugged it out with Max Schmeling there, Ali also fought at the stadium. It’s seen three popes, Billy Graham and countless concerts.

I’m glad that they are going to keep the old field for use by local kids. But, oh, it was hard to take that last look at the stadium and know that I’ll never see it again. I remind myself that life is change. I’m ready to embrace the new stadium this spring. The golden letters are already emblazoned on the front of the new structure. I’m not sure if it will ever have the same feel as the old House That Ruth Built, but I’ll be there cheering and remembering, and also watching them make new history, and that too is something for which I am grateful.

The Last Day Game by Barbara Quinn

(My brother Tony, me, brother-in-law Chris, son Bret)

Being at Yankee Stadium for the last day game of the season was memorable and gratifying. I’ve been going to that Stadium for my whole life. I was born in the Bronx and it was natural to become a Yankees fan under the tutelage of my fan parents. My husband, who was born in Brooklyn, and raised on Staten Island, is even more of a fan, and a repository of Yankee history. We both passed the love of the Yanks on to our son.

For the last game the faithful in my family gathered at the Stadium: my brother, Tony, my husband Tom, his brother Chris, my son Bret, his brother-in-law, Christopher. All those brothers and me. It was a glorious day in many ways. The sun shone brightly, the sky was crystal blue, the infield sparkling green. Overhead the NYPD helicopters kept watch letting us know we would be all right.

The game was tied at 0-0 till the ninth inning. Thanks to a thrilling bottom of the ninth inning hit by Robinson Cano, the Yanks won the game. They may be out of the running for the post-season, but this game had a post-season feel to it. Everyone was on their feet, shouting and hollering so loudly that you couldn’t hear anything above the noise. It’s always been an awesome place when the crowd thunders that way. I’m going to miss the Stadium rocking. I’m even going to miss seeing Cousin Brewski hawk overpriced beers.

But off in the distance through a gap in the Stadium the new Stadium loomed, pristine and watchful, ready to welcome us next year to a new season in a new place.

It’s like being transplanted from one plot of land to another. We’ll take root there and thrive. It won’t be the same. But it’ll be good and I’ll be lucky to be there, roots down, and rooting with the fans again for our home team waiting for the victory song of Frank Sinatra's New York, New York to fill the stadium.

(My brother Tony, brother-in-law Chris, me, and my husband Tom, at the last day game at Yankee Stadium)

(the last day game at Yankee Stadium)