The Word On The New Digs Is Coming
I heard that YES will air the press conference tomorrow on the big news.
Expect many to lament about the loss of “hallowed ground” and the like. Personally, I’m looking forward to a new, state-of-the-art, ballpark with all the things that come with that.
I’m going to hate the traffic mess from 2006 through 2008 when there’s a game on and the construction happening at the same time. But, it’s a small price to pay, I suppose.
And, mark this down: Those who complain about the end of the “old” stadium will “get over it” in a hurry when the new park is open. Just like in 1976, when some (who had cried about the park taken down in 1974) sat in the new park and realized the days of sitting behind poles was no more.
It’s about the fans and the team. It’s never been about the ballpark. From 1965 through 1973, and from 1989 through 1993, where was the magic of Yankee Stadium? It’s only when the team is playing well and the fans are flocking to the place that we hear about how special Yankee Stadium is, etc.
If the team plays well in the new place, and the fans fill it and become the 10th man, people will say great things about that park too.
After watching the Red Sox celebrate on that hallowed ground I think it’s time to start anew. With the remodeling that was done it’s hard to even consider it that same ground that the Babe, Lou, Joe D, Mickey, etc. played on.
Here are my thoughts on this stadium, and none of them have anything to do with the actual history involved with Yankee Stadium:
If the world were on its correct axis, it would immediately catch on fire and burn to the ground due to the lack of fire departments in the area to help put it out. There are so many things New York needs first before any money goes into this stupid project. There are teachers, cops, firefighters, and several other public works officials working without contracts or decent raises and salaries right now in New York. Several of the fire companies are understaffed right now! Has everyone forgotten how important these people are when we need them?
How can George Steinbrenner go on YES and talk about how patriotic and proud he is to be an American, and more importantly, a New Yorker? If George were genuine in his sentiments, he’d build the entire stadium with his own money, and leave the asked infrastructure money to those who actually need it! All the flag waving and proud to be a New Yorker crap in the world means nothing if he takes one dime of money from the city in this project. Kids in public schools in New York are sharing text books and signing up for time on the very few computers available for them to do work on, and not to mention the money they are paying the people teaching them; this is absolutely rediculous. On another site (yanksfanv.soxfan), one member wrote “at least with the public money that will be used to build the stadium, it will ensure that the quality of the public school education in NY will be on par of the quality of education needed to clean the parking lots of his new stadium”, and I couldn’t agree more. Being a fan of this team just keeps getting worse. First, George makes a mockery of all of baseball by putting this team together in the first place (while players we happily gave away flourish elsewhere), they embarrass themselves four times a week, and now they want public money to build them a new house? I am in no way on board with this one, and never will I stand up for his crazy tactics again if he does it.
The team is paying for the stadium. The city is contributing ~$70 million for additional parking, access, infrastructure, etc. There are plenty of reasons to get your blood pressure up over Steinbrenner, but this really isn’t one of them.
70 million dollars is 70 million dollars- money better spent elsewhere than a stadium.
I know it would be great to have..but do we really need a new stadium?
plus, tickets- if you are lucky enough to even get them for the first few years- will be through the roof.
The only thing missing is somehow getting it called “Trump Stadium”…I’m sure they are working on it.
Actually, I would have no problem whatsoever if they called it “Steinbrenner Stadium.”
He’s earned that.
Hallowed ground ceased to exist when they renovated the Stadium. I refuse to lump YS with Fenway & Tiger Stadium.
I’m glad Stein is using his own $$ to build the park, we’ve come a long way since threatening to move the team to NJ or Yonkers, but even the $$ the city is throwing in could be better served elsewhere.
Aren’t we STILL paying off the renovations?
Anyway, I’m pretty indifferent to the whole thing. While I don’t think it’s the case this time around, corruption & NYC politics go hand in hand.
From the perspective of the city, it’s a pretty paltry investment – roughly 8% of the total cost of the ballpark (stadium + infrastructure). How many cities would line up to get a new stadium for $70 million? Even across town :
“Bloomberg noted the new stadium would be built on land owned by the city which now serves as the parking lot for Shea. The city and state will provide $180 million in infrastructure and $100 million to convert the stadium for the Olympics.” -Marty Noble, mlb.com
I’ve been going to the Stadium (sporadically) since the late 70s. I’ve been in every level of it except the bleachers – from field level, up to the nosebleeds, to the luxury suites. Do they need a brand new stadium? Probably not, but they will eventually. The concourses are definitely too narrow. They could use more modern amenities. Personally, I’d welcome a new stadium.