A Final Farewell to Yankee Stadium

Sept. 21, 2008 — -- When the Yankees take the mound against the Baltimore Orioles in Yankee Stadium tonight, the game will be the culmination of 85 years of history in the House That Ruth Built . Yankee Stadium , with its 12-foot blue letters spelling out its name and welcoming guests, is a New York landmark and seminal part of Major League Baseball that has been the home to some of the nation's most memorable sports and pop culture moments.

"I am going to miss Yankee Stadium. I'd be lying to you if I said I wasn't," said Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter.

The nation's most famous baseball stadium is home to the team that has won more World Championships than any other. Within the stadium's fences, 11 no-hitters, 100 World Series games, 26 championship titles and three perfect games have played out.

"Yankee Stadium is the cathedral not just of baseball but of sports," said New York Daily News national baseball columnist Bill Madden.

When Yankee Stadium, which seats 56,886, opened on April 18, 1923, it was because of baseball superstar Babe Ruth. The team had been playing at the New York Giants' field, but as Ruth began attracting more fans, the club was forced to build its own home.

Ruth hit the stadium's first home run against his former team and the Yankees' archrivals, the Boston Red Sox.

"It was a big bawdy era. It was called the Age of Wonderful Nonsense. We just had gotten out of World War I. All of a sudden they're breaking out and they're coming out the see the Babe do his thing," said Yankee Stadium tour director Tony Morante.

The Yankees went on to win the world championship during its inaugural season, a rare feat.

Through the doors of the iconic building, located at E. 161st St. and River Ave. in the Bronx, walked some of the sport's greatest players, like Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris. It's where Reggie Jackson earned his nickname, "Mr. October," for his clutch hitting in the post-season, and where Lou Gehrig — the Iron Horse — gave a tearful goodbye at age 36 after being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the disease that would come to bear his name.