I’LL never forget the first time I walked into Yankee Stadium as the owner.
It was in January 1973. It was a very cold day. I walked in and stood on the field. What a moment in my life.
STADIUM SWAN SONG: COMPLETE COVERAGE
Kernan: Say Goodbye To This Old House
I could not have had more excitement and anticipation for the future.
It’s my favorite memory of the park.
Today, the team will play its last game at Yankee Stadium. I will miss the old ballpark. But I feel a similar excitement and anticipation for what the future holds.
I am not taking any souvenirs from the old park except for photos in my office – photos of my family, presidents, governors, mayors.
Serby’s Sunday Q&A With Bob Shepherd
Sherman: 2001 Series Left Even Reggie Speechless
Giuliani: World Series In 1996 My Top Memory
Vaccaro: 100 Classics At The Cathedral
I’m not even taking anything from my favorite part of the Stadium: my box, where I watched all the games.
My office is behind the owner’s box, and even during games I moved back and forth between them.
When I’m there, I can look at this incredible stadium and its beauty and the tranquility of the field when no one is there. As the team and the fans came in for the games, it would burst with excitement, energy and anticipation. I’ve watched so many games there with family, close friends and fans.
Every game I attended, I had interactions with fans.
I really enjoyed greeting them as I walked to and from the Stadium. And, as the years went by, the crowds grew, and they all talked to me as I was coming and going. Many even offered me advice. I looked forward to those interactions.
That’s how I know we have the best fans in all of sports.
There have been so many great games, but one that stands out was Game 6 of the 1977 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. We won that game, 8-4, and with that victory the World Series.
It was my first world championship as owner.
That was the game that Reggie Jackson hit three home runs on three consecutive pitches off three Dodger pitchers, clinching the first World Series title for the Yankees since 1962.
As he rounded the bases, he pumped his fist. I’ll never forget it.
I’ve had plenty of celebrities in the box with me to share some of these moments – Regis Philbin, Billy Crystal, Adam Sandler, Henry Kissinger, Kevin Costner, Tom Cruise, Donald Trump, President Bush and his wife, and many others.
Back in 1976, Whitey Ford and his wife sat in my box as we watched the Ali-Norton fight.
Over the years, I’ve had so many wonderful memories with tons of celebrities who came by, all of them loving the New York Yankees and enjoying the simple pleasure of watching a ballgame.
Yes, times have been good to me here.
I think it is fair to say I changed everything about the team – the method of operating, its philosophy. I believed in putting the best possible team on the field every year with the goal of winning a world championship.
That remains our philosophy, our mind-set. And it will continue, no matter where we play.
The new ballpark with its design replicates the original 1923 stadium. It is beautiful and really befits the team. Yankee Stadium is the cathedral of baseball, and it was most important to us in the design that we recognized the history, roots and legacy of our franchise.
Our fans will love it, and that is so important to me.
The field and its dimensions are exactly the same as the old stadium. The amenities will be great even down to the fact that you can go to a concession stand and buy a hot dog and still be able to watch the action on the field.
It’s going to be incredible.