Yankee Stadium, ‘where players become legends.’ If you’re watching the game on YES this season, you will hear this new phrase during commercials. Yankee Stadium truly is a place where many players have become legends throughout the years, from Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle to Bernie Williams, Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera. It is the house that Ruth built, full of history and excitement that has played out for almost a century.
In 2009, the old stadium will officially become a legend with the erection of the new Yankee Stadium. There are pros and cons to building a new stadium, and many Yankees fans have mixed feelings about it. Yes, it is being built right across the street, it will help the city and it will be nice to have something more modern and new. Yet getting rid of such a legendary stadium is a hard thing to accept.
Here’s how some Binghamton University Yankees fans feel about the stadium switch:
‘I’ve had some of my best memories there, from the time I was 5 up until the present day. However, I do think that it’s time that the organization does move on. We see other teams from other cities begin to have these new state-of-the-art facilities and ballparks ‘ such as Baltimore, San Francisco, San Diego, Seattle ‘ and it’s only fitting that the best team in the world in the best city in the world should definitely have the best ballpark.’ ‘ Andrew Lipson, sophomore.
‘Yankee stadium has more history than any other stadium, and just the fact that people think it’s more important to have a nice atmosphere to watch a ballgame shows just how much the game is changing.’ ‘ Matt Wyka, junior.
‘I have mixed emotions about the new stadium; it will be sad to lose all the history we had in the house that Ruth built. On the other hand, I am very excited to see the new stadium and all the cool new toys I am sure George [Steinbrenner] will have in store for us.’ ‘ Mike King, sophomore.
‘The new Yankee stadium is going to be amazing. Aside from the team funding $800 million of the $1.2 billion that it costs, it will be somewhat modeled off of the old Yankee stadium and its construction will greatly improve the infrastructure of the Bronx.’ ‘ Tyler Patterson, junior.
‘I think the new stadium is a terrible idea. They should not change a national landmark.’ ‘ Joseph Toomey, junior.
‘I think it’s going to be great. Don’t get me wrong, there is so much amazing history in this stadium, but it is a new era for baseball. I think the stadium they have planned to build will capture the essence of the house that Ruth built but will also be a symbol of modern time.’ ‘ Alex Bouganim, sophomore.
‘I think the new stadium is great in helping the Yankees move forward with their new approach at creating a different outlook for the team.’ ‘ Matt Beck, sophomore.
Despite anyone’s feelings, the Yankees are still going to get a new stadium in 2009. With everything being said and done, it is important to make sure the stadium goes out with a bang. There is still a lot to look forward to this season, and no one can forget the All-Star game next season. I just hope by the time the new stadium is opened, all the majesty and wonder that has emerged throughout history can be carried over for another century of remarkable Yankee baseball.