Yankee Stadium, officially known as The Yankee Stadium, is a multi-purpose stadium situated in The Bronx, New York City, United States. It is primarily used for baseball games, serving as the home ground for the New York Yankees, the team that owns it.
Opened on April 2, 2009 with an exhibition game between the New York Yankees and the Chicago Cubs, it replaced the original Yankee Stadium, which had a seating capacity of 56,886. The current stadium's seating capacity is approximately 54,251. The stadium was designed by Populous (formerly HOK Sport) and had a construction cost of about $2.3 billion.
A Major League Baseball park, and one of the largest stadiums by seating capacity in the United States (the largest in New York City), Yankee Stadium has hosted a range of significant sports events including the World Series, the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, and also the finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup. It was recognized as one of the most iconic stadiums in a 2011 online poll by ESPN. By its tenth anniversary, Yankee Stadium had welcomed over 43 million spectators. The stadium is also a potential venue for future FIFA World Cup matches, as the United States is often a contender to host the global tournament.
While the previous New York Yankees' stadium also held the name 'Yankee Stadium', both the old and the new stadiums are ubiquitously referred to by their official name, Yankee Stadium. The stadium is rooted in the neighborhood of The Bronx, specifically in the Concourse area, which is derived from the nearby Grand Concourse, a major thoroughfare in the borough. This name has been a constant since the original stadium's construction; the people of New York and baseball fans around the world simply call it Yankee Stadium.
The original Yankee Stadium, colloquially known as 'The House that Ruth Built' was opened in 1923 and served as the home ballpark for the New York Yankees until 2008. This iconic stadium witnessed the team's many successes, including numerous World Series championships, and was home to legendary players, such as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Mickey Mantle.
In 2009, a new Yankee Stadium was unveiled just across the street from the original one. The new stadium incorporated elements from the old Yankee Stadium, thus preserving its rich history and tradition. The design of the new stadium was inspired by the original 1923 Yankee Stadium, but it also includes modern amenities, such as more legroom and wider concourses. The new stadium also features the Great Hall, a grand concourse filled with shops and restaurants, as well as a museum dedicated to the illustrious history of the Yankees. The new Yankee Stadium continues to be a symbol of pride and tradition for the Yankees and their fans, and a formidable venue for visiting teams.
Whether old or new, Yankee Stadium remains an iconic structure in the world of baseball and a significant landmark in New York City. Its name and legacy are deeply intertwined with the history of the Yankees, one of the most successful and popular teams in Major League Baseball.
Yankee Stadium, an iconic baseball structure, is situated in the Bronx, a borough of New York City. It is easily accessible and holds enough room for future expansion, if necessary. The stadium is located near the Harlem River, providing a unique blend of urban spectacle and sportive grandeur. Initially, it was referred to as 'The House that Ruth Built'.
From the outset, the goal of the New York Yankees was to own both the stadium and the surrounding area. However, initially, a lease was agreed upon with the city of New York, with the final purchase of the property only occurring in 1972. The plans for the Yankee Stadium had been outlined as early as the late 1920s by Osborn Engineering, a renowned stadium design firm.
Under the leadership of the team's owners, Jacob Ruppert and Tillinghast L'Hommedieu Huston, fans coped with increased ticket prices to support the construction costs of the new stadium. Some fans even offered large donations, and a few even worked themselves on the construction site during holidays or weekends. There was even a 'brick campaign', where large quantities of bricks were donated to the team.
Construction officially began on May 5, 1922. Less than two years later, and at a cost of $2.5 million, on April 18, 1923 (an eventful day in baseball history), a 60,000-capacity crowd filled the stadium for the inaugural game against the Boston Red Sox.
'Yankee Stadium (1923)': This reference provides historical context and details about the original Yankee Stadium, which was opened in 1923. yankees.com
'Yankee Stadium (The House That Ruth Built) – until 2008': This source provides information about the history of the original Yankee Stadium, colloquially known as 'The House That Ruth Built', until its closure in 2008. stadiumdb.com
'The Stadium doesn't sleep': This book preface provides an insight into the constant activity and the uniqueness of the Yankee Stadium. primebooks.net
'New York Yankees 100 glorious years - The History 1': A comprehensive source detailing 100 years of the New York Yankees' history. edcontent.com
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