Yankee Stadium

Tenant: New York Yankees (AL)
Opened: April 18, 1923
Closed: September 30, 1973
Reopened: April 15, 1976
Surface: Merion Bluegrass
Architect: Osborn Engineering (1923); Praeger-Kavanaugh-Waterbury (1976)

Yankee Stadium has a very unique flavor of its own. Being the 3^rd oldest ballpark in the major league, it doesn't have much of the modern-day 21^st century architecture. Ironically, all of the new stadiums that are being constructed in a retro-style, mimicking stadiums like Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, and Wrigley Field. One aspect that makes Yankee Stadium unique is left-center-field. Left-center-field in Yankee Stadium is known as "Death Valley", because it is very hard for right-handed hitters to hit homeruns over the 399ft. fence. Yankee Stadium's architectural design has changed since it has opened in 1923. From 1973-1976 there was a complete renovation which forced a move to Shea Stadium to play their home games. Yankee Stadium is also known as "The House that Ruth Build", because of his revolutionizing gameplay.

Quick Facts:

ü      Bleachers in right-center often called Ruthville and Gehrigville.

ü      Minor modifications were made in the winter of 1966-1967. During this work, a new 463 sign and a 433 sign appeared in the power alleys, and the exterior was painted blue and white.

ü      During the 1974-1975 renovation, the distinctive iron third-deck facade was removed and a portion was placed in the bleachers.

ü      A 500 pound steel joint fell from the upper deck in April 1998 prompting the Yankees to play a home game at Shea Stadium and trade three home games with the Detroit Tigers.