Yankees, Go Home
August 18th, 2006
An editorial in the New York Post praises the groundbreaking for the new Yankee Stadium, appropriately on the 58th anniversary of Babe Ruth’s death, since the stadium looks to be a worthy successor to The House That Ruth Built. Some might miss the current stadium, but even the new facility’s critics – who, thankfully, lost their legal battles to halt the project – have to admit that the team was badly in need of a new home; the original stadium, which opened in 1923, is hopelessly outdated. Ironically, the new ballpark – slated to open in 2009 – probably will look more like the original than the present venue, which was renovated in the ’70s. ”
Yankees owner George Steinbrenner has said that the new ballpark will be better for the fans, and at least one blogger agrees: As a Yankees fan, this is some incredible news, writes The Misters Take.
Sports columnist Wallace Matthews of Newsday sees it differently. Do you like the idea of paying even more for your seat than the already league-high ticket prices at Yankee Stadium? Do you not mind the prospect of being shut out of a game because the new park will have between 5,000 and 7,000 fewer seats? Are you OK with the idea of cozying up on the couch in front of the TV set because that is now the only seat for a Yankees game you can afford? Have you grown accustomed to seeing one precious bit of New York history after another fall to the wrecker’s ball?
If you answered yes to any or all of those questions, then The Boss is right. The new Yankee Stadium will be better for you.
For the rest of us, the ones who live not on planet Earth but New York City, this deal is as dirty as anything ever found in a puddle of black water in the subway.
Clearly, critics remain, including some 100 demonstrators who protested during the ceremony. The Bronx group Save Our Parks (which is opposed to the taking of Macombs Dam and Mullaly parks for the stadium) announced it is appealing the decision to allow the stadium to go forward.
By Jonathan Mandell on August 18, 2006, 6:25 amIn category: Gotham City, Land Use | 4 Comments »

