The House that Ruth Built: Yankee Stadium

Throughout the rich history of baseball, there is no more prolific or symbolic stadium than Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. Yankee Stadium had its construction started on May 5 1922 and it was finished by opening day on April 18, 1923, only 284 days left, an unheard of record time. The stadium would become known as "The House that Ruth built" after the great Babe Ruth who had the ability to draw a crowd to a game. In Yankee Stadium's opening day game against the Red Sox, 74,200 people packed into the stadium to watch the In 1974 and 1975, the Yankees decided to rebuild parts of the stadium to make it better. During this time the Yankees built a giant telescreen that would be able to play instant replays of the action. Three more elevators were added and more rows of seating were added to the top deck.

Currently there have been plans to completely rebuild and create an entirely new stadium. This new stadium would have a retractable roof or doom and have more skyboxes but fewer seat for stands. From a fan's perspective, the new stadium would be horrible. It would destroy years of tradition and memories inside of the House that Ruth Built. Also, the new stadium would cost tax payers more money. There really isn't even any need for a new stadium. New attendance records were set last year and the fans love the old look of the stadium. The only reason owner George Steinbrenner wants a new stadium is to make more money from the skyboxes and to make more money from a central parking lot.

The most recognizable feature of Yankee Stadium is its roof facade which is a white design color that has been in the stadium since its first construction.

Yankee stadium is a great and thrilling place to be. On a warm summer day or night against th Red Sox, there is no other place as a sports fan I would rather be. The atmosphere is great. Strangers who sit next to each other converse about the game and criticize the managerial moves of each team. The fans cheer on their home team loudly as the announcer plays upbeat music on the loudspeaker. The fans get out of their seat and do the "wave" where the fans throw up in their arm and it goes across the entire stadium as a symbol of unity. The fans cheer when the Yankees score or record a big strikeout. When a big strikeout by the home pitcher is needed or a clutch hit by a Yankees batter the fans rise to their feet and clap and cheer to root for their Yankees. All of the fans wear the white and blue colors of the Yankees and their jerseys.

The food at the Stadium is also pretty good. The hot dogs taste good and there are a variety of beer flavors to choose from. Vendors are quick and go up and down the isles to serve the fans. There is also a large quantity of food stands to choose from including a Nathan, Hot dog, soda, pretzel, popcorn, pizza stands and much more.

For physically handicapped people there is special seating and on a majority of home games there is usually a free giveaway like a hat or bat day.

The prices for seating is slightly above average but these are the Yankees and they do have the highest payroll in baseball. But the price of admission is well worth a good show in watching all stars and the best players in baseball in action.