The Last Goodbye
For the last game at the old Yankee Stadium, before it was remodeled, which was played on September 30, 1973, the team drew 32,238 fans to the game.
Anyone think that number will be higher for the last game at the current Yankee Stadium in 2008?
Here are some fun facts from that last game at the old Stadium:
+ Hal Lanier got the last “Yankee” hit in the old Stadium – a double.
+ Duke Sims got the last “Yankee” homer in the old Stadium – which was also the last HR there, period.
+ Ron Blomberg was the last Yankee to strikeout in the old Stadium. Frank Howard, of the Tigers, was the last player to ever whiff in the old Stadium. Wayne Granger of the Yanks registered the punch-out.
+ Which Yankee made the last error in the old Stadium? For that, you have to go back to September 28, 1973. Horace Clarke gets that “honor.”
Hal Lanier, Duke Sims, Ron Blomberg, Wayne Granger and Horace Clarke. The Yankees roster has come a long way in 35 years, huh?
They will cram as many people as possible into that final game at Yankee Stadium next year. Sad.
I just people behave and it doesn’t turn into a riot.
Makes for an interesting story, if it does. I’ll be there, if not at the game, then in the area, camera in tow…
It will be a very emotional time, what with all the Yankee living legends present. I’m talking Memorial Stadium emotional.
Problem is, the only way we’ll know beforehand if it is indeed the last game of the stadium is if the Yanks don’t make the playoffs and obviously the last home game of the season is the last game. Or, if they do make the playoffs and it’s game 7 of the world series.
I’m sure they’ll have something on the last regular season home game. But, with any luck, that won’t be the last actual game.
Good point Jen – imagine if the last game is Game 7 of the 2008 WS. Holy cow!