Video of the Day: Renovating the old home
ByWhile browsing YouTube this morning, I came across this piece of Yankee Stadium history. It’s a video shot on Super 8 from the mid-1970s showing the old stadium in various stages of renovation. The opening scenes show the skeleton of the Tier rising above the original 1923 shell.
A good portion of RAB readers weren’t alive when the House that Ruth Built underwent renovations 36 years ago, and the lasting memories those of us who grew up with the Yankees in the 1980s have are of the post-renovation stadium. Despite the history we witnessed at Yankee Stadium II, many fans maintained that the renovations ripped the soul out of the historic park. The dimensions and atmosphere changed, and while the ghosts lingered, their shadows dimmed.
The video tracks the renovations, and after the five minutes elapsed, I grew mournful of the old home. The team and its fans have fully embraced the new ballpark, but I’ll always have the memories of old Yankee Stadium even as the ballpark fades from the physical landscape of New York City.
We originally posted this video early today on the RAB Bullpen. That’s our new Tumblr account, and we’re using it to highlight random Yankee tidbits, photographs and articles that we find across the web. Add it to your RSS feed and follow us if you’re on Tumblr.
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The Mason Williams Watch
That music is creeeeeeeeeepy.
+1
This was a fascinating glimpse into history. I really miss the old stadium and I echo your sentiments. As gorgeous as the New Stadium is, with all its amenities and space, there was and will never be anything like the Old Stadium.
I miss this stadium! Greats such as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle, and Benny Agbayani have set foot in there. Shame they tore it down.
hahahaha I laughed pretty hard at that.
The old stadium was a one of a kind. I remember seeing Mickey and Joe “D” hit into Death Valley (Left-Center) and the ball would damn near stop when that wind hit the ball.
Both of them would have had 100 or more HR’s without that wind tunnel.
Was that Ron Burgundy on jazz flute?
Sigh.I really miss the old gal.
Me too – to me the new stadium doesn’t even compare. I really, really miss the old place. I also think of the ridiculous argument mike and the dog had years ago about the Yank’s need for a new stadium and always want to call him out when I wait in long lines at the new stadium….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eft3Q_zO6NE
he’s so wrong about it and no one ever calls him out!!!