The Yankees announced today they will play the first exhibition games at the new Yankee Stadium against the Chicago Cubs on Friday, April 3 at 7:05 p.m. and Saturday, April 4 at 1:05 p.m.
“The Yankees organization is excited and honored to host the Chicago Cubs in two exhibition games to be played at the new Yankee Stadium,” Yankees co-chairperson Hal Steinbrenner said. “As we welcome our fans into the ballpark for the first time, it is fitting to showcase two of baseball’s greatest and most historic franchises.”
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, it marks the Yankees’ first preseason exhibition game played in the Bronx since a two-game, split-stadium series against the Mets in 1993.
“We are thrilled to have such a great organization in the Chicago Cubs agree to play the first-ever exhibition games as we unveil Yankee Stadium,” Yankees president Randy Levine said. “It will be a symbolic event for the fans of two iconic teams while we celebrate the beginning of a new chapter in this proud franchise’s history.”
The two-game exhibition will also mark the return of 2008 National League Manager of the Year Lou Piniella, who patrolled the outfield of Yankee Stadium for 11 seasons, was a member of two World Series Championship teams (1977, ’78), and served as Yankees manager from 1986-88.
“The Cubs are thrilled to be the Yankees’ first opponent in the new Yankee Stadium and are honored to take part in this historic event,” said Crane Kenney, chairman of the Cubs.
The Yankees will play their first regular season home game in the new Stadium on Thursday, April 16, 2009, vs. the Cleveland Indians.
Ticket information for the two exhibition games will be released at a later date.