Perhaps one of the most-photographed ballparks in all the land, New York’s Yankee Stadium. From upper left, centerfield message board, the Great Hall, looking out from behind homeplate, looking in from centerfield, and the exterior upon approach.
Most people take a baseball trip to experience the ballparks, make memories, and enjoy some travel.
It’s just an added bonus when the schedules align and you can see your favorite team as well.
The schedules did just that for some Seattle fans on the “Hall of Fame Baseball Tour” with Coast 2 Coast Sports Tours in June. It took until almost the end of the tour, but they would get to see the Mariners in back-to-back games.
And it was worth the wait for them. They would see Seattle in Yankee Stadium and then follow them to Baltimore’s Camden Yards the following night.
Teri and Jeff, a husband and wife team married for 33 years, recently retired and decided to start travelling. Teri still works part-time for the Mariners, manning a security station in the ballpark.
The couple live on many acres of land on the outskirts of Seattle. They recently had a celebration of life for their John Deere tractor, which needed replacing.
Eric and Thomas, a father-son combination, also came to the tour from the Vancouver area. They had a whirlwind beginning to the tour, not arriving into Boston until 11 p.m.
But all four enjoyed the Mariners’ scoring 23 runs in two games. Seattle beat the Yankees, 10-2 and the Orioles, 13-1.
Yankee Stadium opened in 2009, as a replacement for the original stadium, which opened in 1923. It was often called, “The House that Ruth Built.”
The new stadium was designed to evoke memories of the old stadium. It has been praised for its amenities, but criticized for high ticket prices. The lower bowl behind home plate is called The Legends Club with prices as high as $510. Seats are often empty in that area, due to the high cost, leading to an embarrassing situation for the Yankees.
Concourses are fairly wide, although in some areas of the park, namely out in center field by Monument Park, it seemed a little tight to move around. One nice touch in the stadium is that every seat is padded with its own drink holder.
The capacity of the stadium is 50,287, which is less than the originals 56,886. Many players have commented it is much easier to play at the new stadium, since it seems much quieter than the original.
The fences measure 318 feet to left field, 399 to left-center, 408 to center field, 385 to right-center and 314 to right field.
Similar to the old stadium, the roof features a replica of the frieze, which was a trademark. A frieze is a broad horizontal band of sculpted or painted decoration. Also, similar to the old stadium, the wall beyond the bleacher seats is cut out to reveal the four subway trains as they pass by.
The flags on top of the roof are also arranged in order of the standings. All 30 teams are represented and the flags are adjusted each day as needed.
The stadium does feature one of the more distinct seating areas, the Judge’s Chambers. It is named after Yankee outfielder Aaron Judge and modeled after a courtroom with faux wood finishes.
Opened in 2017, it only holds 18 seats in section 105, which is in right-center field, where Judge is stationed on defense. But you can’t buy a seat here.
The Yankees choose the fans for each game. They may give tickets to local community organizations, hospitals, or charities along with area Little Leagues.
Judge is very prominent, both in the lineup and physically. The 6-foot-7, 282-pound player is one of the top players in the league, who wears No. 99. So it’s not surprising that Judge has made his mark in other areas of the stadium, namely the concession stand.
The 99 Burger may be one of the top concession choices in the stadium. It features two four-ounce American Wagyu beef patties, American cheese, dill pickles, caramelized onions, and secret sauce on a brioche bun. You can get lettuce and tomato by request.
But get there quickly, they only sell 99 burgers, at a hefty $19.99 cost. They are only available in section 223, which is closest to Gate 4.
There are two main attractions at the ballpark. Both will have long lines to visit, so be ready to head there as soon as your ticket is scanned.
The first is Monument Park, out in center field. This is a carryover from old Yankee Stadium and highlights 37 former Yankee greats, 22 of whom have had their numbers retired. The main monument in the park is a red granite block, featuring manager Miller Huggins, players Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, and Joe DiMaggio, and owner George Steinbrenner.
Various views of Yankee Stadium’s Monument Park.
It closes 45 minutes before first pitch. Admission is free, but space is limited and lines begin soon after the gates open.
The Yankee Museum is also free and is open until the end of the eighth inning. It is located on the main stadium level, adjacent to section 210.
One of the most prized exhibits is Thurman Munson‘s locker. Munson was a catcher from 1969-1979 until his death. Munson was so beloved by Steinbrenner that his number was immediately retired. His locker was also sealed off and donated to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY, but it now resides in the Yankee Museum.
A look inside the Yankee Museum, Thurman Munson’s locker and some of the jerseys and records.
Another feature in the Museum is the Yankee baseball wall. It has 870 autographed baseballs, or about 55 percent of the players, managers, coaches, and broadcasters in the team’s history. At both ends of the wall, there are statues of pitcher Don Larsen and catcher Yogi Berra, exactly 60 feet, six inches apart. Larsen threw the only perfect game in World Series history, Game 5 of the 1956 World Series. The top row of the wall emulates the trajectory of Larsen’s final pitch in that World Series.
- GAME DETAILS: Seattle scored early and often, scoring four runs in the first and all 10 runs in the first four innings of its 10-2 victory. Bryan Woo went 5 1/3 innings, allowing just two hits and two walks with five strikeouts. Kolton Wong, Ty France, Teoscar Hernandez, and Cal Raleigh each had a home run for the Mariners. Yankee pitcher Domingo German allowed 10 runs on eight hits. Shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa pitched an inning of relief, which is something you don’t see every day.
Previous Installments of the Great Ballpark Chase by Tim Russell
- The Overview, August 10, 2022
- Rocky Mountain High, August 17, 2022
- Back to School Time, August 24, 2022
- On Target, August 31, 2022
- Milwaukee’s Best, September 7, 2022
- Guaranteed Fun, September 14, 2022
- Busch!, September 21, 2022
- Sidetrip!, September 28, 2022
- Fountains & Waterfalls, October 5, 2022
- That’s a Wrap, October 12, 2022
- Fenway Sizzle, Then Fizzle, July 24, 2023
- Taking a Bite Out of the Big Apple, July 31, 2023
- Hall of Dreams, August 7, 2023
- Citizens of Philadelphia, August 14, 2023
- National Treasure, August 21, 2023
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