Running head: MORE THAN JUST A BALL FIELD

More Than Just a Ball Field: Yankee Stadium Joseph Calabro Molloy College

MORE THAN JUST A BALL FIELD Abstract

When exploring the different attributes that come together making New York City one of the greatest cities in the world, many people often overlook an iconic and historic site such as Yankee Stadium. Not only were numerous memories and tributes made here, but during the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Yankee Stadium became the setting for a great deal of unity, comradery, and healing among Americans and more importantly New Yorkers.

MORE THAN JUST A BALL FIELD More Than Just a Ball Field: Yankee Stadium When reflecting on places that are significant and have impacted the history of

New York City, most people tend to think of an important architect such as Robert Moses or an iconic building like the Empire State Building, and often label them as the primary influences on New Yorks greatness. While these figures are essential to New Yorks character and are highly impressionable, most people do not recognize a place like Yankee Stadium to be just as significant and important to New Yorks history as those before them. However, upon closer examination, one may realize the true power behind this world famous stadium, the impact it has and has had on so many people, and of course, the life changing events that often take place here. Although the New York Yankees have been around since 1903, the original Yankee Stadium first opened in April of 1923. This landmark cost approximately 2.5 million dollars to construct and once it was finished, was well known for being one of the largest and most grandeur stadiums in the country (Robinson & Jennison). Located in the Northern most borough of New York City, the Bronx is the home of Yankee Stadium and has also became the site of many influential moments in history. Not only did baseball make its impression at Yankee Stadium, but many special events have been held there as well. For example, the stadium hosted an 8-day convention for Jehovahs Witnesses in the 1950s, in which these followers came from all throughout the country (Robinson & Jennison, 1988). Additionally, a historic boxing match between veteran Jack Dempsey and youngster Jack Sharkey took place in a ring at Yankee Stadium in 1927, a truly

MORE THAN JUST A BALL FIELD historic and uncharacteristic event for Yankee Stadium that also paid out record breaking earnings for a fight of $452,648 (p. 26). The decades following, Yankee

Stadium became the site for dozens of other events, memories, and championships for the Yankees themselves. Despite all the memories and history that were physically created in this ballpark, the New York Yankees felt that it was time to build a brand new state of the art ball field. In April of 2009, the new Yankee Stadium opened and became another hash mark on the New York Yankees timeline of historic events. The new Yankee Stadium incorporates much of the history and designs of the old stadium but with a newer, cleaner, and more technological twist to it. A major controversy that surrounded the construction of the new stadium was that it would eliminate about 24 acres of parkland from the already industrialized and crowded Bronx. In response to this issue, once the new stadium was finished the New York Yankees spent approximately $50 million reconstructing the site of the old Yankee Stadium, to become what is now known as Heritage Field. This new space encompasses some monumental and commemorative aspects of the old Yankee Stadium while at the same time provides several new ball fields for the community of the Bronx (Hu, 2012). Whether the stadium is new or old, the Yankees continue to make a great impact on the City of New York. Throughout its history, Yankee Stadium has been viewed as more than just a playing field on several occasions. Though the stadium has been site to several great concerts, gatherings and more, there is no greater example of its dedication to New York

MORE THAN JUST A BALL FIELD and its inhabitants then in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. During this time, Yankee Stadium was ultimately used as a healing agent, or type of therapy for

thousands, or perhaps millions of Americans, who were suffering from serious anxiety of another attack, personal loss, or even just a broken heart. A beautiful portrayal of this is evident in the documentary entitled Nine Innings From Ground Zero. This 60-minute long documentary recaps the tragic events of September 11, 2001 and the weeks that followed with special emphasis on the 2001 Major League Baseball World Series. For one of the few select times in history, after the horrid attacks of September 11, all sports were postponed for several days following the tragedy. The first game to take place back on New York soil was between the New York Mets and their rivals, the Atlanta Braves. Although there was an incredible uneasiness in the air throughout the stadium, it was filled to capacity with supporters of the United States of America and of the Mets. In the bottom of the 8th inning, catcher Mike Piazza slammed a home run to give the Mets the lead. That particular moment in time was described as line between mourning for lost Americans and excitement, joy, love for life again and recovery. This was only the beginning of healing through sports and would not even compare to what the New York Yankees had in store for America (Shapiro, 2004). Just like so many years before, the Yankees had earned a spot in the 2001 playoff series. Particularly, the Yankees playoff games between the Oakland As and Seattle Mariners became a safe haven for so many Yankee fans to retreat to. The baseball games were described by so many as an out or an escape from the pain and negativity that

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daily life had become. A vast amount of people, and not just Yankee fans or baseball fans for that matter, used these baseball games as their only source of healing and therapy from the recent disasters. As clearly evident in the documentary, these games were not so much about baseball, but rather they provided a meeting ground for so many Americans, New Yorkers in particular, to be able to come together and show their strength and pride as a country. Additionally, it was an often occurrence to hear roaring and massive U.S.A chants at any point during these games. Amidst the healing and rebuilding process of New York, many believe that the World Serious against the Arizona Diamondbacks was when the true miracles really began happening. After losing the first two games of the series, the Yankees won the next three games at home in extreme dramatic fashion, coming from behind very late in the game to win with shattering home runs that united the fans and New Yorkers closer than anyone thought possible. This was also noted as the series when Derek Jeter earned his famous nickname Mr. November, for hitting a game winning home run in extra innings a few moments after the clock struck midnight on November 1, 2001, the first time a game was ever played in November (Shapiro, 2004). As described by sports writer Obernauer (2009), when baseballs altered schedule pushed the World Series into November for the first time, it was in game 4 just past midnight when Jeter knocked a game-winning homer in the 10th to even the series at two games a piece (pg. 1). That hit, which tied Lou Gehrig on the all time list, was not the only excitement and thanks Jeter and the Yankees gave back to New York.

MORE THAN JUST A BALL FIELD Not only did this magical run have such an enormous impact on the city of New

York and America as a whole, but beyond the game of baseball, the Yankees still wanted to participate in helping heal America. For example, a few Yankees players including Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams, and Paul ONeil went down to a local FDNY firehouse where many first responders were killed to help the now brother-less firefighters regain confidence and perhaps crack a smile and have a laugh. The Yankees soon realized that small acts of kindness like this could go a very long way and would contribute to achieving the ultimate goal of rebuilding New York back to what it once was. On September 23 of 2001, the New York Yankees even held a citywide prayer service at Yankee Stadium (Bartel, 2002). Despite losing game 7 of the world series by a blown save from the world famous Mariano Rivera, Americans defined this series greatness by the way it was played and the miracles it made, regardless of who earned the title. Clearly Yankee Stadium is one of the greatest places to ever be introduced to the City of New York. As time goes on and history prevails, it seems that more and more historical events, scenes and people will be involved with Yankee Stadium. New York City is lucky to be home to such a great and influential team with an even more amazing stadium. Although a place like Yankee Stadium is not typically the first thought that comes to mind when thinking of major influences on the City of New York, it is clear that without a place like this and without sports to unite Americans on such an often basis, who knows where we would be as a country today.

MORE THAN JUST A BALL FIELD References Bartel, C. A. (2002). I love new york, more than ever: Changes in people's indentities as new yorkers following the world trade center terrorist attacks. Journal of Management Inquiry, 11(3), 240-248. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/203312093?accountid=28076 Hu, W. (2012, April 5). A public park to rival the yankees playgroud. The New York Times, pp. 2 Obernauer, M. (2009, September 12). Yankees remember 9/11 on Derek Jeters historic night. The Daily News, pp.1

Robinson, R., Jennison, C. (1988). Yankee stadium 75 years of drama, glamor, and glory. New York, NY: Penguin Group. Shapiro, O. (Writer). (2004). Nine innings from ground zero [Documentary]. United States: HBO Sports & Major League Baseball.