Looking back on a rebuilt stadium

March 18, 2009 by Benjamin Kabak 17 Comments

When the Yankees convinced the nearly-broke City of New York to foot the bill for extensive stadium renovations in the early 1970s, much of the same storylines played out then as they did over the last few years. The Yankees threatened relocation, and they promised community benefits. The renovations were well over $100 million — or around $480 million in today’s dollars — over budget, and those aching for nostalgia couldn’t bear the thought of renovating the historic Yankee Stadium. Wezen-Ball recently looked back at some of the press coverage surrounding the opening of Yankee Stadium II. As the new stadium’s opening day approaches, I am struck by the famous saying, “The more things change…”

Mike Pop

I am struck by the famous saying, “The more things change…”

Please, go on.
- http://www.riveraveblues.com Ben K.
  
  Do I really need to? Isn’t it comforting to know that the same problems are plaguing the city, team and fans with the stadium debate? At least we’re not exposing new problems with stadium construction.
  - pat
    
    Veronica: “Oh, well, when in Rome.”
    Ron: “Yes? Please go on.”
    Veronica: “Uh, do as the Romans do? It’s an old expression.”
    Ron: “Oh! I’ve never heard of it.”
    Veronica: “Oh.”
    Ron: “It’s wonderful, though.”
    - http://www.riveraveblues.com Ben K.
      
      Clearly, there’s a joke here I’m not getting.
      
      Either that, or it’s not funny.
      - Mike Pop
        
        Well, was a little bit of both. Just kind of wondering what you were getting at there.
        
        http://www.riveraveblues.com Ben K.
        
        Ah gotcha.
        
        My point was just that all of these stories I write about the new stadium — budget overruns, debates with the community, threats to relocate, controversies over who’s paying for what — are the same that we would have been writing 30 years ago if RAB were around then.
      - pat
        
        I think Pop was invoking a bit of Ron Burgundy.
        
        jsbrendog
        
        you stay classy RAB
        
        http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
        
        AAAAAAAAAAAAH I’M IN A GLASS CASE OF EMOTION!!!!!!!!!
Artist formerly known as ‘The’ Steve

I was struck by something Joe Torre said the other day.

I had “The Yankee Years” on top of my dresser, and I bumped into it and the book fell right on my head.
- Mike Pop
  
  Lol.
- Spaceman.Spiff
  
  IETC
  - Artist formerly known as ‘The’ Steve
    
    Yes, that was
    
    Intended
    
    Exclusively for
    
    Tommiesmithjohn
    
    Carlos
    
    But if you must, the rest of you can share in it as well.
    - http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/CRsmithT1.jpg tommiesmithjohncarlos a/k/a Ridiculous Upside
      
      IETC a/k/a RU
Rich

Using 4.8 as an inflation multiplier, are the cost of tickets in line with that rate of increase, or have they outpaced it?
- Artist formerly known as ‘The’ Steve
  
  Depends on how far back you want to go. There have been periods where its been flat, but in the past 10 years ticket prices have greatly outpaced inflation. Especially when you look at the premium seats between the bases.
Januz

The new stadium is totally different than what happened in the 1970s. What happened back then was a butchering of the stadium (Getting rid of the frieze was just one example of it). The goal both from an economic, and artistic aspect, is to have a stadium that will not have to be overhauled, in around 30 years, and more importantly make sure the Yankees are still located at River Ave when this occurs: I believe this was accomplished. What impresses me, is no detail was overlooked. Putting $17m into a proto-type computer operating system, the Metro-North Station (The first one built in over a decade), the facilities for fans & players alike, the return of the frieze, and even the choice of restaurants were done with care. I know there are many people who like to bring up the bond issue, but without the bonds, and the Yankees staying, other things that will benefit the community, may not have occured: The road improvements on the Grand Concourse, increased peoperty values, the Courthouse, the Gateway Mall, and of course, the Metro-North stop come to mind (Most important, these are all things that have occured, or will be finished in 2009, so major delays or cancelations will not occur, due to the recession). There are plans in the works, to do even more. Even the park issue will disappear within the next five years.
The model we are seeing at Yankee Stadium area, is being spread to Willets Point (Where the City’s single biggest eyesore will be eliminated in the next 10 years), and hopefully Atlantic Yards as well. The alternative could have been worse: It is the Polo Grounds: Once a stadium that had some of the greatest players ever to put on a uniform (Including Willie Mays). Now, it is one of the WORST projects in New York City. The thought of the Yankees in Jersey, the history of the stadium erased (Like the NY Football Giants at the stadium) and projects at River Ave, is too frightening to consider: Thank God, we will not.