Yankee Stadium Closes After 85 Years

For one last time, the sports world turned its attention to Yankee Stadium last night to bid adieu to the venerable old ballpark. Much like during this summer’s All-Star Game, Yankees greats both past and present dotted the field in a stirring pregame ceremony that was highlighted by Bernie Williams’ first appearance at The House That Ruth Built in two years. However, unlike the festivities in July, George Steinbrenner is not present for the game, and a video commemorating players not in attendance conspicuously is void of Joe Torre and Roger Clemens. While players and fans alike are still hoping to collect some final mementos from the park, the attention now turns across the street to the sparkling new $1.3B palace opening next spring. Steinbrenner notes in an Op/Ed for N.Y. POST, “Our fans will love it. … It’s going to be incredible.”