R.I.P. Yankee Stadium
As I watched the final game in Yankee Stadium, I thought about how lucky I was to make it there before the end. Say what you want about the Yankees, this place was special. My dad and I made our pilgrimage during the summer of 2000. It was the baseball trip of a lifetime. I thought the passing of this landmark was a good excuse to dig out this memory.
This is an article I wrote for the Caterpillar Magazine in March of 2001:
FIELDS OF DREAMS
Since learning to tie my shoe with a pair of baseball spikes, I have participated in many sports at every level from "tee-ball" through college basketball. This true passion for sports was passed on to me by my father. While my dad and I have always shared an enthusiasm for all sports, the strongest link in this common bond is our infatuation with the tradition and elegance of baseball. Some of my fondest childhood memories include the countless summer hours spent in our backyard ballpark playing baseball with my father. It was during this time when our dream of visiting as many major league parks as possible was first discussed. Over 17 years later, this dream finally became a reality, as my dad and I took our ultimate baseball vacation. Last summer we traveled to the East Coast and attended nine games in eight different stadiums.
The first stop on this grand tour was Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh. This circular, multipurpose stadium is not exactly the most picturesque park in the big leagues, with its rainbow seating and artificial turf. However, a boat ride to the stadium provided a great view of the surprisingly beautiful downtown skyline and a sneak preview of the much-needed new ballpark set to open next month. On day two we found our way to Baltimore and the best new park in baseball. Oriole Park at Camden Yards perfectly combines the old-fashioned character of a retro ballpark with all the modern amenities.
Game three brought us to the park my dad and I were anticipating more than any other - the historic baseball cathedral known as Yankee Stadium. This remarkable father/son bonding experience produced many great memories; however, none of them could top a very surreal game of catch on Father's Day in the shadow of the "House that Ruth Built." Also, hearing legendary PA announcer Bob Sheppard open with his famous greeting to baseball fans literally sent chills down my back.
We received an even closer look later in the week during our tour of Yankee Stadium. The firsthand look at the press box, clubhouse, and dugout left us speechless. We even walked across the field and strolled through "Monument Park" near the bullpen. From 26 World Championships with Ruth, Gehrig, Joe D, and The Mick, to Rockne and Notre Dame's epic college football battles with Army, no arena has hosted more history than Yankee Stadium.
The site of game four was the largest park in the National League, Philadelphia's Veterans Stadium, where great seats allowed us to witness the wizardry of future Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux against the Phillies. The Vet's artificial turf is dreadful, but the delicious Philly cheese-steaks provided a welcomed change of pace from the hot dogs. It was here where we first ran into two boys also visiting several of the same ballparks with their father (who happened to be a Vermont mining company president and loyal Caterpillar customer).
Our second visit to New York City included an enriching ride on the infamous Number 7 train en route to Shea Stadium. An extra day gave us some time for sightseeing, but we faced the difficult task of choosing something to do in the Big Apple at night. Well, how about a ballgame? Back on the subway we went for game six!
Next up was a spine-tingling visit to Boston's timeless treasure - Fenway Park. The oldest remaining park also owns the most distinct features and its nostalgic atmosphere is rivaled only by Chicago's Wrigley Field.
All of this history was tied together by a stop a the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. This shrine of American culture is a must-see for any sports fan. Game eight included an eyewitness account of the SkyDome's architectural marvel in Toronto, which was a late-inning addition to the tour. Our ninth and final game was at Cleveland's Jacobs Field, another beautifully modern but classic ballpark.
The incredible ten-day, 2700-mile odyssey covered 11 states and 2 countries. The journey also included opportunities to see landmarks such as the Liberty Bell, Statue of Liberty, Niagara Falls, etc. However, our love for the poetic game of baseball is what strengthened an already close relationship and made this trip something that will be cherished by my father and me for the rest of our lives. In the words of NFL great Howie Long, "The sport of football is now America's passion, but nothing brings fathers and sons together like baseball... baseball is still America's pastime."
This is an article I wrote for the Caterpillar Magazine in March of 2001:
FIELDS OF DREAMS
Since learning to tie my shoe with a pair of baseball spikes, I have participated in many sports at every level from "tee-ball" through college basketball. This true passion for sports was passed on to me by my father. While my dad and I have always shared an enthusiasm for all sports, the strongest link in this common bond is our infatuation with the tradition and elegance of baseball. Some of my fondest childhood memories include the countless summer hours spent in our backyard ballpark playing baseball with my father. It was during this time when our dream of visiting as many major league parks as possible was first discussed. Over 17 years later, this dream finally became a reality, as my dad and I took our ultimate baseball vacation. Last summer we traveled to the East Coast and attended nine games in eight different stadiums.
The first stop on this grand tour was Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh. This circular, multipurpose stadium is not exactly the most picturesque park in the big leagues, with its rainbow seating and artificial turf. However, a boat ride to the stadium provided a great view of the surprisingly beautiful downtown skyline and a sneak preview of the much-needed new ballpark set to open next month. On day two we found our way to Baltimore and the best new park in baseball. Oriole Park at Camden Yards perfectly combines the old-fashioned character of a retro ballpark with all the modern amenities.
Game three brought us to the park my dad and I were anticipating more than any other - the historic baseball cathedral known as Yankee Stadium. This remarkable father/son bonding experience produced many great memories; however, none of them could top a very surreal game of catch on Father's Day in the shadow of the "House that Ruth Built." Also, hearing legendary PA announcer Bob Sheppard open with his famous greeting to baseball fans literally sent chills down my back.
We received an even closer look later in the week during our tour of Yankee Stadium. The firsthand look at the press box, clubhouse, and dugout left us speechless. We even walked across the field and strolled through "Monument Park" near the bullpen. From 26 World Championships with Ruth, Gehrig, Joe D, and The Mick, to Rockne and Notre Dame's epic college football battles with Army, no arena has hosted more history than Yankee Stadium.
The site of game four was the largest park in the National League, Philadelphia's Veterans Stadium, where great seats allowed us to witness the wizardry of future Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux against the Phillies. The Vet's artificial turf is dreadful, but the delicious Philly cheese-steaks provided a welcomed change of pace from the hot dogs. It was here where we first ran into two boys also visiting several of the same ballparks with their father (who happened to be a Vermont mining company president and loyal Caterpillar customer).
Our second visit to New York City included an enriching ride on the infamous Number 7 train en route to Shea Stadium. An extra day gave us some time for sightseeing, but we faced the difficult task of choosing something to do in the Big Apple at night. Well, how about a ballgame? Back on the subway we went for game six!
Next up was a spine-tingling visit to Boston's timeless treasure - Fenway Park. The oldest remaining park also owns the most distinct features and its nostalgic atmosphere is rivaled only by Chicago's Wrigley Field.
All of this history was tied together by a stop a the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. This shrine of American culture is a must-see for any sports fan. Game eight included an eyewitness account of the SkyDome's architectural marvel in Toronto, which was a late-inning addition to the tour. Our ninth and final game was at Cleveland's Jacobs Field, another beautifully modern but classic ballpark.
The incredible ten-day, 2700-mile odyssey covered 11 states and 2 countries. The journey also included opportunities to see landmarks such as the Liberty Bell, Statue of Liberty, Niagara Falls, etc. However, our love for the poetic game of baseball is what strengthened an already close relationship and made this trip something that will be cherished by my father and me for the rest of our lives. In the words of NFL great Howie Long, "The sport of football is now America's passion, but nothing brings fathers and sons together like baseball... baseball is still America's pastime."
Very cool. Like you guys, I will always remember our trip this past summer...although we couldn't quite get nine in. Three took enough convincing!(especially the Yankee-Shea Stadium double header) Someday it'll have to be a Father/Son trip to get the rest...especially Fenway.
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