Yankees wrong to leave 'house that Ruth built'

For anyone reading sports news over the last several weeks, the closing of New York's Yankee Stadium after 85 historic baseball seasons is a familiar topic. Fans are constantly reading about all the ways in which the new Yankee Stadium (which is being constructed right across the street from the original) will be improved over the one on 161st Street. Improvements vary from additional amenities - such as: restaurants, souvenir stands, luxury boxes, cup holders - a more comfortable seats with added leg room and better entertainment equipment. Amidst all of this anticipation for the new ballpark, has it occurred to any of the Yankee higher-ups (i.e. the Steinbrenner family), that it makes more sense to keep the original stadium economically and sentimentally?

When discussing the cost of the new stadium, there is no better place to begin than with how this new stadium will impact (and has already impacted) the wallets of the team's loyal fans and stadium neighbors. The original Yankee Stadium has a seating capacity of 56,886. In order to make room for all of the new goodies, the new Yankee Stadium will only have a seating capacity of 52,325. It is simple logic - fewer people coming through the gates means less money that can be made from a single game. Therefore, to make up for this lost money, the only choice is to raise the price of tickets, souvenirs, food and parking prices, which any recent attendee can attest to, are already too pricey.

The Yankee Stadium site is located off Interstate Route 87 in the Bronx. This stretch of highway is backup-prone. The construction of the new ballpark only added to the congestion. In addition to delaying many drivers, the frequent need to hit the brakes on the highway forced people to spend more money on gas.

And what about the site that the new stadium is being built on? The new ballpark is being built on what used to be Macombs Dam Park, a place where many neighborhood youngsters gathered for recreational and athletic activities. According to the New York Daily News, a deal has been reached that will allow the site of the original Yankee Stadium, following the ballpark's demolition, to be used as a replacement. If the youth of the Bronx are going to have less space to have fun, won't the odds of their getting involved in less desirable activities increase?

By the time construction is complete, it will have cost $1.3 billion to build the new ballpark, according to the Associated Press. Approximately $550 million to $850 million will come from taxpayers. New York Gov. David Paterson recently concluded that the state is officially in a recession. Many New Yorkers are already struggling financially and taxes put enough of a burden on them and their businesses, so why should $550 million to $850 million of their money go toward replacing a stadium that, by many accounts, does not need to be replaced?

Finally, there is the sentimental value. Yankee Stadium has been home to more great players and the site of more historic moments than any other ballpark in the history of baseball. One must ask why the Yankees should change stadiums when they have the crown jewel of baseball parks. Without a doubt, there are many members of the current generation whose fondest childhood memories are of going to Yankee Stadium with their parents and grandparents; being told stories about Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Thurmon Munson, Reggie Jackson and the other all-time greats that played in that stadium. Many young people have looked forward to sitting in the same place with members of future generations, telling them similar stories about Don Mattingly, Paul O'Neill, Bernie Williams, Tino Martinez, Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and Mariano Rivera. Unfortunately, they won't get that chance. When Yankee Stadium goes, so too will a part of many childhoods. This begs the question, is it really necessary to take it away?