The Yankee Stadium renovation matches up closely with the year of my birth, so this incarnation is the only one I've ever seen. I'm sure my father has even greater memories of the original Stadium (let's not forget that Yankee Stadium was the first ballpark to use that word), but growing up as a Yankee fan, I loved every single trip. Even though I was aware of the faults and I've had the opportunity to see much nicer parks, I feel sad that I didn't have a chance to go to one last game this year.

I look forward to visiting the new Stadium, provided I can afford it. I'm still not sure why the new Stadium has fewer seats than the old one, considering how often they sell to capacity. Maybe it's part of the "keep them wanting more" strategy that Nintendo uses to keep those Wiis off the shelf year-round?

i'm looking forward to the George Brett tribute

"And yet, MLB lets that history go out into the sunset with the Baltimore Orioles visiting. Yikes."

MLB will rectify their oversight, opening the new Yankee Stadium with their heated rivals...the Cleveland Indians?

whats the difference between old timers day and this ceromony they have right now

feitclub - I don't get that at all. The Mets are doing the same thing with CitiField, and the only reason I can think of is "greed." More space for luxury boxes and more expensive seats.

Anon @ 7:42 - You're kidding me. You mean to tell me the brainiacs at MLB couldn't re-work the schedule to end the old stadium with a Yanks-Sawx series or bring in the new one with one?

Yeesh.

Think ESPN/Disney had any say in what went up on the Jumbotron during the flashback to 1923? Here's 1955 and here's 1982. Disneyland I can understand, but Epcot is a stretch.

As a Yankee fan who's moved away from the NY area, I'm sad to see it go. I starting following them in 1982, so the majority of my years going to the Stadium were of the non-playoff variety. My lone postseason game was Game 1 of the 1999 ALCS sitting in Sec. 39 of the bleachers and it was one of the best experiences of my life. I can't wait to see the new one, but my wallet needs to get a little bit bigger before that happens.

what else would espn put on all sunday afternoon? bullriding? poker? cheerleading? worst of all the wnba? at least theyre spending time covering something that is historically relevant as opposed to just spending twenty hours a day talking about the nfl

About the Yankees closing with the Orioles, the only thing I can think of is that they wanted the focus on the stadium, not the rivalry. This renovation of the stadium happened in the early 70's, if I remember right. From the late 60's until the mid 80's either the Orioles or Yankees were usually the team that won the division.

I appreciate history, and I understand what the stadium means to the history of baseball and to a large number of people, but this is just annoying to me.
They really didn't have anything else to show all day, so the all-day tribute is understandable.
But now a game has started, and the O's got a hit in the first, and then had a rookie retire the side 1-2-3, and all we saw were crowd shots and player interviews about the stadium.

We've been celebrating the stadium for the past 12 hours, can we at least pay a little attention to the game, ESPN?

i think that they didnt plan on the yankees missing the play-offs. and if they finished against the sox then they couldnt have the last game against the red sox be a different day. plus they sell out the red sox games but not the baltimore games. if its the last seris then they will sell it out.

feitclub: The new Stadium has fewer seats because the so-called national pastime has fallen behind football in national popularity/visibility.

When baseball's flagship club moves to a ballpark that seats fewer than 55,000 you know the times they are a-changin'.

Historical note: After the Stadium closes the largest ballpark in the majors will be in Los Angeles.

"We've been celebrating the stadium for the past 12 hours, can we at least pay a little attention to the game, ESPN?"

ESPN cares more about the hype than the actual games.

A history lesson (via a presumably accurate Wikipedia):

The New York Yankees franchise started as the Baltimore Orioles. They moved to New York, where they became the Highlanders. A few years later, they became officially known as the Yankees.

It is this that Major League Baseball likely considered when scheduling the Orioles to take on the Yankees in the final game at Yankee Stadium. Wikipedia also notes that Babe Ruth came from Baltimore, although I think that was a minimal factor in the decision.

"Matthew Modine is here. Another superstar."--Joe Morgan

quote of the night

Both are very much accurate.

If anyone is ever in the Inner Harbor in Baltimore and has some time to kill, visit the Maryland Sports Museum off Eutaw next to the Yard. Even if you're not a fan of MD sports, it's very interesting.

I grew up in Maryland, and I knew about the Babe of course (there's actually a statue of him outside Camden Yards, since his childhood home was where the stadium is), but I never knew about the Yankee part until I went there.

@ sammy: That's the reason I opened this back up, to put that down. But I got sidetracked...

"I guess we should do a little play-by-play. There's been a pitching change." -Jon Miller

Yeah... as bad as you are, that is still your job.

"There will never be another Yankee Stadium." -Joe Morgan

Guess what Joe, there already is!

Thanks for the history lesson, Anon 10:07. Next, you'll be telling me the Indians are the first opponent in the new stadium because George Steinbrenner was born in Rocky River and the Indians' AAA team is the Columbus Clippers, formerly a Yankees farm team.

Michael Kay in the booth, anyone who overhears the SEE-YA on SportsCenter highlights should definaltely watch the game to hear the elusive SEE-YA if a Yankee hits a home run. If he does it will complete the final game of Yankee Stadium and make my day.

ESPN should have the local announcing crew do the games for the hometown team.

Michael Kay sounds so much more smooth than these two.

When Yogi was up there Morgan wouldn't let anyone talk. Joe Morgan doesn't know how to talk to old people.

"You're a New Englander, Gary. Is Rocky Cherry a new Ben & Jerry's flavor?" - Dave Campbell on ESPN Radio

"You don't do a Lambeau Leap when you're down by 3 scores" - Al Michaels.

Ignoring the obvious, will somebody tell Al it is now a two score game? And what on earth was with that high-pitched laugh?

Odessasteps, when you said ESPN cares more about the hype than the actual games, you summed up their philosophy brilliantly. Sometimes, I think the game gets in the way of what they want to talk about.

Michael Kay showed those two washed up old hags/hacks a thing or two about calling the game while still having a coherent conversation. At least as coherent a conversation as can be had with Miller & Morgan.

On MNF, it is usually a complete distraction to have guests in the booth. Sunday night, guests were the only enjoyable parts of the game (especially Yogi & Whitey).

It is a crying shame that the Yanks could not pull it together and get into the playoffs to give the stadium a proper send off! They used to have more heart.

Before the Yankees were the Yankees they were the Highlanders. Before they were the Highlanders there were...you guessed it, the Baltimore Orioles.