Yankee Stadium

"no other venue in North American pro sports has ever brought more tears to more grown men's eyes, created more special moments, sending chills through more cynical athletes than Yankee Stadium"

The article I read discusses the final year of one of the most famous sports venues in the world, Yankee stadium. The reason I chose this article was twofold, first, the phenomenological implications that Yankee stadium represents and second, the fact that I have been there and experienced it first hand. The New York Yankees, one of the most storied franchises in major league baseball history, is set to move across the street into a brand new, state of the art stadium. In moving, the Yankees are leaving a place which holds a certain mystique for sports, something I was lucky enough to experience firsthand. When entering the stadium, one cannot help but feel a sense of authenticy, that this is the place where former greats like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Mickey Mantle played. From the plaques on the walls to the distinct smell of the ballpark, the atmosphere makes for the ideal baseball experience. It is not only fans who hold this special sentiment, as mentioned in the article, current Jays players such as Vernon Wells and David Eckstein still look back at their first experiences at Yankee Stadium with fond memories. Yankee Stadium was also a unique place to experience because of the attitude of the fans. Their enthusiasm and non-stop cheering help contribute to what is undeniably a true 'home field' advantage. The experiences Yankee Stadium has provided the people of New York, as well as baseball fans all over the world, will linger on despite its closing at the end of the year.