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As Time Goes By Mike DiPatri 09/22/08
The day we’ve been awaiting has come and gone. Yesterday, 85 years of history at Yankee Stadium came to an end. When I woke up yesterday, I was thinking that it was a bad day; that history was dying. Yankee Stadium is gone. As I watched the activities at the stadium prior to and during the game, my attitude changed.
The commercials with Yogi Berra and the visits in the ESPN booth by old Yankees made me change my mind somewhat. Sure the old place has seen a lot of historical events, not all Yankees baseball events. Some I remember, some were before me.
We Yankees fans have always considered the stadium a cathedral. Three Popes have said Mass there. They were Paul VI in 1965, John Paul II in 1979 and Benedict XVI in 2008. I guess that means the Vatican has confirmed its status as a cathedral.
Joe Louis struck a blow against the Nazi party by beating German fighter Max Schmeling in the first round in 1938. That fight was the most famous to take place at the stadium, but there were others. In 1976, Mohammed Ali beat Ken Norton to retain his crown.
In 1958, the Baltimore Colts beat the New York Giants in “the greatest game ever played.” That game became the first in NFL history to go into overtime. The New York Giants played their football games there from 1956-1973.
In 1928, Knute Rockne gave his “win one for the Gipper” speech. Notre Dame beat then powerhouse Army 12-6.
Then there are the baseball events. Some of them are:
Lou Gehrig gave his famous “luckiest man on the face of the earth” farewell speech in 1939. Roger Maris hit his record setting 61st regular season home run setting the single season record in 1961. There have been 37 World Series played there by the Yankees. The Yankees won 26 of those Series making them the only true dynasty in professional sports. One of the very best World Series in history was lost by the Yankees in 2001. Considering the events of 9/11/2001, the Series was a very clear signal that the terrorists were unsuccessful in their attack. In 1977, Reggie Jackson hit three home runs on three consecutive pitches from three different pitchers in one World Series game. Four All-Star games have been played there. They were 1939, 1960, 1977 and 2008. In 2008, the game went 15 innings. It was as if the old building just did not want to let go.
I have so many memories of the place. The things I’ve seen on television and the times I’ve been there. As I listened to the old Yankees last night, I realized the building is not the stadium. Rather, it’s the events, the players and the fans. The attitude and avid support of the team by the fans will follow the team to the new building. That’s what will make it Yankee Stadium. I feel fully confident that new memories will be made there. I started feeling the way Yogi expressed things last night. Yogi said, “This time it ain’t over when it’s over.” I won’t miss the place; rather, I’ll remember it. It’s in my heart!
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